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Proposed service changes are in response to the economic recession: public hearings to be held in Davis, Weber and Salt Lake counties The Utah Transit Authority is proposing a number of changes to bus service in Davis, Weber and Salt Lake counties for April 2010. The agency will hold several public hearings in January to share information and seek public comment prior to final implementation. Many of the proposed changes are intended to reduce operational expenses during a period of significantly reduced revenues. Over the past two years, UTA's sales tax revenues have dropped by about $38 million due to the economic recession. As a result, the agency has moved to cut budgets across the organization. "We have worked hard to keep the economy from impacting our riders," UTA General Manager John Inglish said. "We have cut expenses, implemented hiring freezes, reduced employee compensation and benefits, and delayed many projects and programs. However, UTA simply can't maintain the same level of service with such a significant loss in our revenue base." For Davis and Weber counties, proposed changes include the complete elimination of express bus routes 472, 474 and 476. These routes provide service that is comparable and redundant to FrontRunner commuter rail. In Salt Lake County, UTA is proposing reduction in service to routes 9, 11, 17, 39, 45, 62, 228, 232, 248, 307, 313, 347, 348, 354, 453, and 461; and the complete elimination of route 551. The service reductions are focused on off-peak or low-ridership trips. "Service cuts are always difficult, so our strategy is to focus first on off-peak, low-ridership and duplicate service," Inglish said. "We want to minimize the impact to our riders as much as possible." A number of route changes are also proposed for Salt Lake County on routes 78, 90, 516, 517, 519, 520, 525, and 556. These changes are intended to improve service or to accommodate the demolition and construction of the new North Temple viaduct in Salt Lake City. Detailed information on the proposed changes may be found on the UTA website at www.rideuta.com/changeday.
The following public hearings will be held to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more and provide comment: - Tuesday, January 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Layton Public Library, 155 Wasatch Dr., Layton
- Wednesday, January 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Weber County Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave., Ogden
- Thursday, January 21, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake Library, Main Branch, Conference Room B, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City
- Tuesday, January 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the UTA Meadowbrook building, Boardroom (A and B), 3600 South 700 West, Salt Lake City
Comments may also be submitted via: For more information, visit www.rideuta.com
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