OGDEN — The Utah Transit Authority is changing its commuter rail and bus schedules after the opening of FrontRunner South caused some unreliable pickup times throughout the system.
Following the opening of the FrontRunner extension south to Provo, the agency found it challenging to meet published schedules, causing regular delays and missed connections in the system.
FrontRunner South runs from Salt Lake City to Provo, extending UTA’s commuter rail system to nearly 90 miles between Pleasant View and Provo.
UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said the agency has come up with an adjusted FrontRunner schedule that will more accurately reflect actual running times and will include longer dwell time — the amount of time stopped at a station — at downtown Salt Lake City stations.
As part of the change, all FrontRunner trips will depart approximately five to 10 minutes earlier.
Northbound trips will increase run times by 15 minutes, which includes nine additional minutes to travel between Provo and Salt Lake Central, and six additional minutes between Salt Lake Central and Ogden.
Southbound trips will increase run times by 16 minutes, which includes 11 additional minutes between Ogden and Salt Lake Central, five additional minutes between Salt Lake Central and Provo.
Carpenter said the difference in run times between southbound and northbound trips is a result of the way trains meet to pass each other.
In addition to time adjustments, the agency is adding trips, increasing 30-minute service during peak operation.
The number of trips traveling the full length of the line will increase from 19 to 23. The number of peak trips traveling half of the line will increase from nine to 10.
Many bus routes with a FrontRunner connection will also experience a schedule adjustment to improve train and bus transfers. There will be no changes to UTA’s TRAX schedule.
For a detailed schedule of the changes, visit www.rideuta.com.
The changes will go into effect Feb. 19.
Carpenter said the agency typically holds public hearings when it makes significant changes to its system, but the changes to FrontRunner were needed immediately.
Additionally, UTA is considering other changes to its system, which would take place in April and would have little impact on the Top of Utah region.
The agency is considering cutting its flex bus route F628 in Syracuse and Hooper because of extremely low ridership.
More information on the proposed service changes and an opportunity to submit public comment are available at UTA’s website, http://www.rideuta.com.
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