SALT LAKE CITY (September 28, 2026) — The Utah Transit Authority is inviting the public to provide feedback on its proposed budget for the first six months of 2027. The public comment period is now open and runs through October 26, giving community members an opportunity to review the proposed budget and provide input on UTA’s financial plan for the first half of 2027.

UTA is transitioning from its former calendar-year budget, which ends December 31, 2026, to align its budget with the State of Utah’s fiscal year. Because the fiscal year begins July 1, 2027, UTA is proposing a six-month budget covering January through June 2027 during this transition.

The proposed budget provides a financial plan to move people, safely expand and maintain the regional transit system, collaborate with communities and regional partners, and provide livelihood for more than 3,000 UTA employees.

The budget is organized around three strategic priorities: Expand Sustainably, Maintain Deliberately and Advocate Regionally.

Expand Sustainably
UTA helps communities thrive by expanding the regional transit system strategically and sustainably. Future investments are prioritized based on regional needs and available revenue, while recognizing that new service must have sustainable funding for ongoing operations and maintenance. The proposed budget supports continued preparation for several new services and projects, including:

• S-Line Extension, expected to open in August 2027, will extend the S-Line from Fairmont Station to Highland Drive and Simpson Avenue. The extension is anticipated to increase S-Line ridership by 10-15% and improve access to the Sugar House area.
• 5600 West Bus Route mobilization, expected to open in April 2028, will expand service on the west side of Salt Lake Valley, creating connections across four cities and 29 miles, providing direct service to key destinations including the Salt Lake City International Airport.
• Ogden service package mobilization, expected to open in April 2028, will expand transit options and connections in the Ogden area.

UTA’s budget is part of a long-term financial strategy that balances available resources with the need to operate, maintain and expand a regional transit system serving a growing population. UTA’s capital budget supports projects that preserve the existing system, replace aging assets, improve facilities and technology, and expand service where funding is available.

Maintain Deliberately
UTA proactively cares for its assets to extend their useful life and ensure safety, reliability, accessibility, and an improved customer experience. Preventative maintenance is a key component of UTA’s approach to managing the existing system. Proactive investment helps protect infrastructure and avoid larger future liabilities while ensuring the system can continue to provide reliable service. Under the proposed budget:

• 76% of the capital budget is dedicated to meeting anticipated system maintenance needs.
• 32% of the operating budget supports maintenance of the existing system.
• 17% of the capital budget will support Light Rail Vehicle Replacement, including replacing TRAX Blue Line vehicles with low-floor vehicles designed to improve accessibility and make boarding easier for all riders.
• 59% of the capital budget supports other State of Good Repair investments, allowing UTA to proactively maintain and reinvest in the existing system while improving the technology and tools used to track, maintain and manage parts and inventory.

These investments help UTA identify needs earlier, make informed maintenance decisions, and prioritize future investments.

Advocate Regionally
UTA helps communities prepare for growth by aligning local priorities with the regional transit system. UTA’s Strategic Long-Range Transit Plan, shaped through collaboration with cities, counties and regional transportation leaders, guides transit priorities and innovative solutions designed to improve access to FrontRunner, TRAX and fixed-route bus service over the next 5, 10, 20 and 30 years.

Projects supported through regional partnerships include:

• FrontRunner 2X, a partnership with the Utah Department of Transportation, which will add 11 sections of double-tracking to increase capacity, frequency and reliability and make it easier for more people to connect to the regional transit system.
• North Utah County microtransit, UTA’s sixth innovative mobility zone, sponsored by Utah County and UDOT, providing service to portions of Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Lehi, American Fork and Highland.

UTA works with local governments, regional planning organizations, state and federal partners and other stakeholders to identify transportation needs, coordinate investments and pursue funding opportunities that support the region’s long-term mobility needs.

How To Get Involved
Comments must be received, postmarked or electronically submitted to UTA by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, to be considered as part of the public comment record. The 2027 Tentative Budget Document and Budget Summary are available for review at rideuta.com/budget.

Comments may be submitted:

• Online comment form
• Email: hearingofficer@rideuta.com
• Phone: 801-287-3888
• Mail: Jolisha Branch, C/O Utah Transit Authority, 669 W. 200 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Public Open House and Hearing: October 26
UTA will hold a public open house at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26, in the Golden Spike Conference Room at UTA Headquarters, 669 West 200 South, Salt Lake City. During the open house, members of the public can speak with UTA staff and ask questions about the proposed budget. The open house will be followed by a public hearing at 6 p.m. in the Golden Spike Conference Room. The public is invited to attend the hearing, listen to the presentation and provide comments directly to the UTA Transit Commission.

Options for remote viewing and remote public comment submissions will also be available. To view the meeting remotely, visit UTA’s Public Meeting Portal and select the agenda for the public hearing. Those wishing to participate remotely or provide public comment should register in advance for the webinar through the public hearing webinar registration form.

In the event of technical difficulties with remote participation, the meeting will proceed in person and in compliance with the Open and Public Meetings Act. A recording of the hearing will be made available following the event.

Accommodations Requests
To ensure full participation at the meeting and during the public comment period, accommodations for effective communication — including a sign language interpreter, printed materials in alternative formats or a language interpreter for non-English-speaking participants — must be requested at least five working days prior to the scheduled event by contacting the UTA Hearing Officer at 801-287-2444.

Requests for ADA accommodations should be directed to UTA’s ADA Compliance Officer at adacompliance@rideuta.com or 801-262-5626. Deaf or hearing-impaired persons should dial 711 to make a relay call.

####