Utah Transit Authority welcomes new Transit Commission
Seven-member governing body takes effect July 1, 2026, followed by dedicated state funding mechanism phasing in FY2029
SALT LAKE CITY (July 1, 2026) — Effective July 1, 2026, the Transit Commission of the Utah Transit Authority officially assumes oversight of the agency. Senate Bill 197 (SB197), passed during the 2026 legislative session, transitions the Utah Transit Authority from its current governance structure, consisting of a full-time Board of Trustees and a part-time Local Advisory Council, to a part-time, seven-member transit commission and a full-time executive director. This transition is designed to strengthen accountability, coordinate transportation investment, increase ridership and position UTA for long-term growth.
The Transit Commission will serve as UTA’s governing and oversight body, responsible for approving the annual budget, adopting the Long-Range Transit Plan, providing fiduciary accountability for the region’s transit investments, and advocating for riders and entities within the service area — a role aligned with the state’s transit vision. Executive Director Jay Fox will set UTA’s strategic direction and lead the agency’s daily operations, staff and services.
SB197 sponsors Senator Wayne Harper and Representative Kay Christofferson said the new governance structure is based on in-depth research, including the evaluation of other major transit districts and interviews with stakeholders. Senator Harper added that this is a new chapter for transit governance in Utah, intended to clarify how local governments and customers engage with UTA and its processes and enhance the efficiency of internal and external operations. These statutory and operational changes will result in even greater outcomes for mobility choices and economic growth.
“This will position UTA to move forward and better serve growing Wasatch Front communities. Utah cannot build enough roads to meet its transportation needs. Transit must be reliable, timely, and responsive to every area UTA serves,” said Harper.
The commission’s seven members include Mike Caldwell, Jeff Silvestrini, and Muriel Xochimitl (nominated by local government councils and appointed by Governor Spencer Cox); Chris Gamvroulas and Sheldon Killpack (appointed by the Senate President); and Beth Holbrook and Jeff Acerson (appointed by the Speaker of the House).
SB197 amendments extend beyond governance by establishing a dedicated state funding mechanism for transit. Beginning in FY2029, 5% of the incremental new growth in state sales tax above a FY2028 baseline will be captured and deposited into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund (TTIF), which is dedicated for transit purposes. Projections show TTIF revenues growing from $109.2 million in FY2028 to nearly $200 million by FY2035 — without raising taxes or redirecting existing resources.
“I’m grateful to the state for its vote of confidence in UTA’s continued success and its commitment to a dedicated funding vision,” said Jay Fox, UTA executive director. “This begins an era of greater coordination and unity between transportation agencies and communities to prepare for Utah’s future growth, founded on the daily commitment of our employees to continuously improving our service.”
The new structure, modeled on the proven governance framework of the Utah Department of Transportation, is designed to make UTA more responsive to growing Wasatch Front communities and better aligned with Utah’s long-term regional programs, including the 2034 Winter Olympics.
During the first year of the commission’s operation, UDOT’s executive director will serve as a nonvoting, ex-officio member — a coordination role designed to align state transportation planning with transit services during the transition period.
Jay Fox credited the outgoing Board of Trustees with improving UTA’s processes and restoring the agency’s fiscal accountability. “The trustees’ efforts have prepared UTA well to meet Utah’s growth,” Fox said. “Over their tenure, the board also navigated the agency through COVID-19 ridership recovery, the opening of new bus rapid transit lines, and sustained gains in public trust.”
UTA’s recognition as the 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation System by the American Public Transportation Association reflects the agency’s success in building a strong, reliable transit model and the dedication of its more than 3,000 employees who serve communities across the region every day.
UTA’s day-to-day operations — including bus, TRAX, Streetcar, FrontRunner, Paratransit, UTA On Demand, and Vanpool — continue without interruption.
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