Show 2000 Task Force studies Iz transportation problems Amanda Hughes News Editor WEST EST Valley citizens met with Mayor Brent Andersen and UTA representatives representatives representatives Ralph Becker Mick Ick Crandall and nd Mike Mik Allegra at West Valley City Hall on Sept 25 as part of the 2000 Task Force Meetings Seven such groups are me meeting meet meeting meet meet- ting t- t ing at various s times and locations loca loca- lions until Oct 25 25 to discuss commuter problems iIi iri their are areas s and to hear about pos possible possible sible solutions from UTA UTA representative Crandall Crandall Cran Cran- dall presented transportation alternatives including heavy rail subway system light rail express buses freeway lane buses regular buses and arterial busing not to subdivisions subdivisions subdivisions sub sub- divisions with each of their costs speeds and capacities Crandall stated that the Wasatch Front while being or t f dense enough to need transportation improvement does not presently need a heavy rail system which has hasa a capacity capa ty to carry pas passengers passengers passengers pas pas- every hour at a. a an 1 average speed of 30 miles per hour see on page 2 Continued from page 1 It would cost S per mile to build When Mayor Andersen asked what benefit it would be to citizens of UTA pointed out that the only benefit would be reduced traffic in the south north freeway systems It was also stated that within 10 to 50 years a light rail system could be expanded into the west valley Citizens may be asked to vote a 4 percent tax increase to fund transit transit transit tran tran- sit improvements Presently 65 percent of UTA funding comes from sales tax Fares account for only 15 percent Federal funding is 11 percent But sin since e the Reagan eagan administration this fund is being decreased by 20 percent each year Since the crisis in Iraq Iraq- costs to operate buses have gone up 50 SO to 60 percent However there has been an 8 percent rider increase inthe in inthe inthe the last month to offset this cost West Valley citizens favored exPress express express ex ex- press buses and special traffic lanes for buses to in increase rease speed Mayor Andersen liked the idea of company company com com- company pany employees using UTA buses from a central loading area to the work place Presently UTA will furnish furnish furnish fur fur- nish the bus and train a driver for this service The bus will remain at atthe atthe atthe the job location during the workIng working work working ing hours and be b driven by a fellow fellow fellow fel fel- low employee Mayor Anderson and citizens felt a need for UTA to market incentives to employers using buses Presently an employer can receive a tax break for fo every 15 per month contributed contributed con con- to the employees' employees bus fare The Mayor also pointed out out- the cost savings for reduced parking lots and maintenance r. r |