Public transit popular choice in Cache Valley

LOGAN (AP) — Public transit in Cache County is a popular choice these days.

The Cache Valley Transit District's ridership is at an all-time high and has broken daily and weekly ridership records, district general manager Todd Beutler said.

Others aren't so sure about the totals and the timing.

The transit district and Cache County are both trying to get a sales tax increase approved in the November election. County officials who favor a proposal to fund road construction are wary of the bus system's latest statistics with the election a little more than a month away.

The daily transit record was 7,554 trips in January. It has been broken three times this year, most recently on Sept. 5 with 8,053 trips.

Voters will decide on two separate transportation measures. The transit district has proposed a quarter-cent sales tax increase that would generate funds to expand services. The county has proposed an initiative for road construction and repairs.

Both would generate about $3 million annually and could end up competing against one another for votes.

County Councilman Craig Petersen said the increase in bus passengers could be because more students are attending Utah State University and using the public transit system.