Utah Transit Officials Promote BRT

The state’s transit agency is building out new bus rapid transit lines, but has not reversed the sweeping cuts to local bus service made last year.

1 minute read

August 17, 2023, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White, red, and blue Utah Transit Authority bus at stop with man standing on sidewalk next to bicycle

Utah Transit Authority / UTA Bus

An article by Erin Alberty, Jeremy Duda, and Kim Bojórquez in Axios describes how Utah transportation officials are pushing to expand bus service, particularly bus rapid transit (BRT).

According to the article, Utah cities are building new BRT routes, but also cutting service on existing local routes. Last fall, the Utah Transit Authority announced massive cuts on 20 bus lines, including many that serve the state’s popular ski resorts, impacting tourists and the local residents who rely on transit to access their jobs.

The existing BRT lines, the latest of which launched this month in Weber County, offer free fares for their first three years of operation. “In Salt Lake County, a new BRT line called the Midvalley Connector is expected to be completed by 2025.”

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in Axios Salt Lake City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

AI-generated image of high-speed rail trail in elevated track in green hilly farmland.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI

It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

May 28, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

May 30 - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

May 30 - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

May 30 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.