Don't rail against TRAX

Like the winning of the West, the advent of the TRAX system looks so inevitable in hindsight, one wonders what all the hubbub was about five years ago. But 60 months ago there were people on the verge of strapping themselves to the rails like Little Nell just to keep the train from coming to town.

Still, the train came. And today — five years later — the stops, crossings and spurs have become such a natural part of the city it's as if the old trolley cars never left.

Today, TRAX carries more than 40,000 passengers a month, well above projections. The naysayers who predicted empty train cars have been proven wrong. It's SRO in the cars at rush hour. And anyone who has hopped aboard to attend a game at the University of Utah or at the Delta Center, or who has made a quick shopping run from downtown to Gateway, are happy TRAX is up and rolling. Some claim the train has simply stolen passengers from the buses. Others wince at the thought of more tax funds going into the project. But for the most part, the public has a positive image of the train line. Communities that opposed TRAX are now asking for spurs to be built. In fact, some claim that the froth of negative comments before TRAX was built simply lowered expectations to the point even modest successes turned out looking like world beaters.

The fact cities in other states are looking at TRAX as a model doesn't hurt UTA's publicity efforts either.

Not that everything has been peachy, of course. There have been eight fatalities — including four "suicides by TRAX." And though riders sing the praises of the light-rail line, their tune might change if the "tax for TRAX" takes an especially deep bite in the future.

But that controversy is "still down the line." A referendum, which could reach ballots in 2006, may raise some old questions and ignite the coals of fading controversies. This week, however, is an anniversary for the train and few feel a need to rain on the parade. As glitches have appeared, they have been worked out. In fact, officials are still tinkering with some troubling aspects of the system.

Nevertheless, for those who go with the flow as commuters each day, TRAX has definitely lightened the trek.

After five years, it appears few people are looking to run the trains out of town on a rail.