I’ve lived in SLC for 13 years and was car-less for at least five of them, using only public transportation to navigate the city. I won’t lie to you: It wasn’t always easy. Have I missed the train by literal seconds and waited 30 minutes for the next one? You bet. I know public transit can be intimidating, so allow me to introduce you to the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), our regional transportation provider servicing the Salt Lake Valley and beyond.
Different Modes
UTA has a variety of options. Pick your poison based on where you’re at and where you’re going:
- Bus: The bus has the most routes. It’ll take you around SLC and to other cities and counties on the Wasatch Front.
- TRAX: This is the light rail system. The Blue line goes from downtown SLC to Draper; Red goes from the University of Utah Hospital to Daybreak; Green goes from SLC International Airport to West Valley.
- FrontRunner: This is the passenger rail train passing you by when you’re stopped in I-15 traffic. It goes from Provo in the south to Ogden in the north. The FrontRunner’s fatal flaw is NO SUNDAY SERVICE.
- Other: There are even more options, including the S-Line streetcar in Sugar House and South Salt Lake and UTA On-Demand for residents of SLC’s Westside and the south valley.
Paying For It
Your fare ranges based on how long or far you’re riding, from $2.50 for a one-way ticket to $5 roundtrip. I used to get a roll of quarters for the bus, but you’ve got payment options:
- Passes: UTA offers a variety of monthly pass options, like the Hive pass for SLC residents.
- FAREPAY: This is a prepaid fare card that can reload as needed.
- Free fare: There are lots of ways to ride for free. Downtown SLC is a free-fare zone, so you can hop on and off the TRAX and bus within those boundaries. You can ride for free with your U of U Athletics ticket, too.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t be late: UTA recommends getting to your stop ahead of schedule, at least five minutes for buses.
- Transit app: Use it to plan your trip.
- Enjoy the ride: You can do so much when you’re not worried about the driver next to you who’s had their blinker on for miles. Listen to a podcast! Take a survey! Sit back, and let your transit adventure begin.
Do you have any advice for transit noobs?
