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TO: |
Local Advisory Council |
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THROUGH: |
Mary DeLoretto, Interim Executive Director |
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FROM: |
Nichol Bourdeaux, Chief Planning and Engagement Officer |
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PRESENTER(S): |
Jaron Robertson, Director Innovative Mobility Solutions |
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TITLE:
title
UTA On Demand Update: Southern Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City Westside Services
end
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
Informational report for discussion
BACKGROUND:
Southern Salt Lake County Service:
The South Salt Lake County Microtransit Service (UTA On Demand) began as a pilot in November 2019. The pilot experienced early adoption and success prior to the COVID-19 pandemic meeting most goals and objectives. UTA continued and extended the pilot throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and was able to demonstrate the nimbleness and adaptability of microtransit by continuing to provide high-quality transit service, maintaining a good customer experience, and lowering operating expenses. As part of the August 2021 change day and UTA’s Five-Year Service Plan, UTA made the pilot a permanent service and discontinued five flex route services within the area.
The service continues to operate in the cities of Bluffdale, Draper, Herriman, Riverton, and sections of Sandy, and South Jordan. The service area was expanded from 65 to 71 square miles. Operating hours were expanded from Monday - Friday, 6:00 am to 9:00 pm to Monday - Friday, 4:00 am to 12:15 am. Saturday service was also added and operates from 6:00 am to 1:15 am. UTA and Via launched a new UTA branded app, and the service began providing paratransit to microtransit connections.
Salt Lake City Westside Service:
UTA has partnered with Salt Lake City to fund the UTA On Demand Salt Lake City Westside microtransit service under a Microtransit Cooperative Agreement and UTA’s partnership with Via. The service aligns with Salt Lake City’s Transit Master Plan, UTA’s Five-Year Service Plan, and other fixed route service changes planned as part of the August 2022 Change Day. The Salt Lake City Westside service will be deployed as part of the December 2021 change day.
The UTA - Salt Lake City Microtransit Cooperative Agreement provides 12 months of Salt Lake City funding for UTA to provide the UTA On Demand Salt Lake City Westside microtransit service with UTA’s vendor Via. Salt Lake City will reimburse UTA on a monthly basis for actual expenses incurred including a 5% operations support fee for all Via provided service and fueling expenses. Marketing and promotions will be a direct pass through on UTA expenses incurred. UTA will retain all fares collected during the 12 months of service.
DISCUSSION:
UTA On Demand Southern Salt Lake County update:
Staff will provide an update regarding service performance since the August 2021 change day. Discussion topics will include the following:
• Overview of service changes
• Overview of service performance including ridership, customer experience, travel patterns, and paratransit connections
• Successes and challenges with the service
• Marketing and communications update
UTA On Demand Salt Lake City Westside Service:
Staff will discuss the planned UTA On Demand microtransit service, which will include an overview of the following:
• UTA - Salt Lake City Microtransit Cooperative Agreement
• Purpose: Salt Lake City Transit Master Plan and UTA 5-year Service Plan including 2022 proposed changes
• Microtransit service overview, including the following: goals, objectives, service area, service parameters, operating days and hours, customer experience, fares, customer service, and budget
• The marketing, communications, and community engagement plans for the service