UTA restores bus routes before approving overhaul

The Utah Transit Authority just received approval to spend an extra $1.5 million this year and next to restore bus routes in Salt Lake County that were eliminated as part of a massive overhaul of the county's bus system.

With the unanimous approval by its board of trustees, UTA plans to implement the redesign by Aug. 26. Routes such as those to the International Center, to the Veteran's Hospital in Salt Lake, along 100 South, and from Cottonwood Heights to TRAX in Sandy will be restored.

Also, most every route in the county will be changed with the redesign, with buses moved out of neighborhoods to busier streets, and more frequent service added.

But still, low-income advocates and transit riders are upset with the plan. They want the agency to study the redesign longer. Also, transit riders say UTA has done a poor job of informing the public about changes.

During Wednesday's board meeting, riders were not told the agency had changed over 70 percent of its original redesign plan. They were allowed to give public comment for 20 minutes, and no member of the board made any reference to the changes. News media were informed of the changes during an earlier noon briefing.

After being told that UTA has made significant changes, Nikki Christensen, a University of Utah student, said the fact that no one was told showed a "complete disregard for community involvement."

UTA spokesman Chad Saley said the general public wasn't informed of the changes because of scheduling issues. Special-interest groups will be apprised of the changes Thursday.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com