When the Utah Transit Authority redesigned bus routes in August, many commuters felt the sting of having downtown routes reduced in favor of beefed-up suburban routes. Routes south of 6400 South faced similar reductions.
Three former bus routes in the Sandy area were replaced with one that travels between Draper and the Sandy TRAX station. Service on the route is severely limited. Buses only run from Draper to Sandy between 5:48 a.m. and 8:18 a.m. and from Sandy to Draper between 4:25 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.
Any student with a night class, or aiming to arrive at the U later than 9 a.m., will find this route useless. Besides students, the route isn’t effective for any commuter not working a standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m job.
The redesign was based on a two-year study conducted by UTA that found ridership in the area was down significantly. However, the price of gas has risen more than $1.50 per gallon since the study started, according to AAA.
It’s an unfortunate coincidence that demand for mass transit has skyrocketed less than a year after the routes were cut, but UTA should have planned for the increase, considering that gas prices have been steadily rising.
Even if ridership isn’t overwhelming, residents of the area deserve improved bus services. UTA receives state funding. As such, routes need to serve the public interest even if one or two routes aren’t financially lucrative for UTA.
Three times a year UTA holds “change days” when it reexamines its route schedule. On the next change day, July 14, UTA should consider adding more service to the area and extending routes beyond 6400 South.
In turn, students and other commuters should take advantage of mass transit and show UTA the demand exists.