From Deseret News archives:

TRAX is fixing a weighty woe

Heavily loaded trains can cause problems with doors closing

Published: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 10:12 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
In October, some 52,500 riders boarded TRAX trains, an all-time high for the Utah Transit Authority. While UTA said the increase is welcome, the additional bodies have created service issues, including how to provide enough cars to accommodate riders.

Recently, a unique ridership-related challenge has arisen: heavy passenger loads.

With increased ridership, the combined weight of passengers on TRAX trains has also risen. The extra weight compresses some cars onto the tracks, causing doors to catch on the train platform and not close, making riders late for work and other appointments.

While it has only happened two or three times, Jim Price, UTA manager of rail vehicle maintenance, said any issue that impacts customers and safety is important. Friday, he had UTA electro-mechanic Harold Seeley working to fix the door problem, using a giant wrench and a lot of muscle to turn bolts that jack the car up higher.

The fix should work, he said, and hopefully riders won't experience delays. UTA, he said, has a goal for 100 percent on-time performance, meaning cars should arrive at a station at least three minutes before or after they are supposed to.

The transit agency's on-time performance is about 99 percent. But when a glitch happens, that affects hundreds, he said.

And that matters.

Story continues below
"My purpose," said Price, "is to provide clean, reliable, safe transportation to the residents of this valley."

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image

Electro-mechanic Harold Seeley uses a wrench to turn a bolt that slowly raises the TRAX train's height.

previousnext

Latest comments

Utah needs good examples

Rather than go within to see what it is that is causing the disturbing...

Until ALL credible scientists agree on 'Global Warming', I'll keep thinking...

"Well, actually it was the Russians who defeated Germany in WWII, but don't...

Utah needs good examples

Act as Aryan-like as you'd like ("we don't drink coffee - so we are close to...

Letters: Wood smoke fouls air

Brick walls are better than fences.

Pitta doesn't win award

Anonymous | 9:24 p.m. Dec. 10, 2009 Over inflated stats against an inferior...

Imagine that; A bleeding heart Liberal point added to the Church Mission...

Kobe's decade: On top at start, end

I'm not a Lakers fan and especially not a Kobe Bryant fan but he is...

Utah needs good examples

Beer: The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.

Letters: Plain talk on warming

Atta-boy "mark | 9:04 a.m.". Just keep saying, "The information's out there,...

Advertisements