The Utah Transit Authority would like to clarify recent media reports regarding a requested increase in tax funding. Contrary to these reports, UTA has not asked state officials for a tax increase. UTA’s existing funding is sufficient for current operations, which include the addition of the Draper TRAX Line and the Sugar House streetcar line before the end of 2013.

On July 17, UTA was invited to attend the Transportation Interim Committee to provide a report on UTA programs and projects. In our presentation to the committee, we discussed the Unified Plan, the long-range transportation plan for both roadways and transit.  The Unified Plan was created by the local mayors and government officials from five of the state’s major planning and transportation organizations; the Utah Department of Transportation, the Cache Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Wasatch Front Regional Council, the Mountainland Association of Governments, and the Dixie Metropolitan Planning Organization.  The Unified plan has been endorsed by all the participating agencies, and has received the Governor’s Quality Growth Award.

The Unified Plan identifies future anticipated transportation improvements needed to keep pace with population growth over the next 30 years. It examines issues such as freeway and surface street capacity, as well as public transit needs in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber, Cache and Dixie counties. The plan also recommends funding methods to facilitate the recommended projects.

UTA remains dedicated to serving the public as efficiently as possible. The opening of the Draper TRAX Line in August marks the completion of the FrontLines 2015 project, under budget and two years ahead of schedule. By completing the FrontLines 2015 initiative early, UTA helped save taxpayers more than $300 million. We would like to thank our riders and the communities we serve for their continuing support as we strive to provide innovative, accessible transportation to the Wasatch Front.

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