Salt Lake City is looking for feedback on a proposed Transit Master Plan right now. It’s part of a long-term vision for the city to create an integrated network of buses, trains, and shuttles to reduce dependence on cars.
So far, the Draft Master Plan lists a series of recommendations to address the gaps in Salt Lake City’s transportation network. They include redesigning which streets buses run on, increasing bus service, upgrading stops, and developing new transit hubs where TRAX and buses can connect.
Christopher Chestnut works with the Utah Transit Authority and has been involved with the Transit Master Plan since it started in 2015. He says there are several main themes that have come up so far.
“People want more frequency of service, they want longer hours of service, and fares has also been an issue,” Chestnut said.
He says, there is one region that Salt Lake City has asked UTA to focus on initially.
“The west side of Salt Lake City. So basically from I-15 west, and to look at how we can improve that service in the short term and medium term.”
Chestnut says that the first transportation expansions will probably be in the form of buses. They’re also looking at how shuttles could be used to add more services into neighborhoods for people who are elderly or disabled.
Feedback about the Draft Master Plan can be submitted over the next two weeks on the Transportation Division’s website or in-person at their office. The updated Plan will be reviewed by the City Council and they’ll decide whether to adopt it in early 2017.