"Utah Growth: No Slowing" Salt Lake Tribune, 28 December 2000.
ST GEORGE -- "Dixie transit looks for riders: Lack of signs, benches
deters passengers" Deseret News, 23 December 2000.
SALT LAKE CITY -- "TRAX to keep rollingon Sundays in 2001; As part of
the plan, UTA to start Sunday bus service in April" Deseret News 22
December 2000. QUOTE: "The Utah Transit Authority will continue to provide TRAX
light-rail service on Sundays, on a permanent basis, in the new year."
"Legacy Clears First Big Hurdle" Salt Lake Tribune, 21 December 2000. QUOTES: "The
Army Corps of Engineers approved the Legacy Highway on Wednesday, leaving only
a possible veto by the Environmental Protection Agency to block the state from
building the 14-mile freeway from Salt Lake City to Farmington...
Environmentalists and mass-transit advocates immediately served notice that
they would sue to block destruction of 114 acres of wetlands along the Great
Salt Lake unless the EPA vetoes the initial $370 million segment. A key weapon
in that fight will be the fact that the federal Clean Water Act prohibits
destroying wetlands unless it is for the "least damaging practicable
alternative," which opponents argue would be a rail-transit system."
"Christmas crowds pack TRAX to the max" Deseret News, 20
December 2000. QUOTE: "Holiday shoppers, concert-goers and Christmas
light-seekers help make the holiday season -- well, crowded -- particularly on
TRAX light-rail trains. According to the Utah Transit Authority, ridership on
the system last Saturday was among the highest single-day totals since TRAX
opened on Dec. 6 of last year, possibly among the top five days in TRAX
history. TRAX use was particularly heavy during the evening Saturday because of
several events taking place downtown."
"Amtrak's
Vegas Delays Are as Slow as Desert Tortoise: Protected reptile is an obstacle,
but safety issues also are delaying the route's debut." Los Angeles
Times 17 December 2000. QUOTE: "Amtrak wants to resume service. It has
spent more than $15 million on train cars intended for use on that route, and
late last year publicly announced resumption of service for September 2000. But
it didn't happen, nor is it likely to happen in 2001. It's a many-sided
problem, involving desert tortoises, Spanish engineering, the Union Pacific
Railroad and various tentacles of the federal government. "
"Full-Steam Ahead!
Train Will Run for 2002 Events" Salt Lake Tribune, 14 December 2000.
QUOTE: "HEBER CITY -- Utah's only surviving historic passenger railroad is back
on track to shuttle people to and from Olympic events at Soldier Hollow during
2002."
"A successful year for TRAX" Deseret News, 10 December 2000.
QUOTE: "One year ago, the TRAX light-rail system began operating amid some
trepidation. A small but vocal opposition predicted accidents, fatalities,
traffic congestion and declining ridership. Some Utahns were uncertain. Today,
they know better."
"3 Hybrid Buses Joining UTA Fleet" Salt Lake
Tribune, 8 December 2000.
"TRAX to Increase Holiday Runs as Popularity Exceeds Expectations" Salt Lake Tribune, 6 December 2000.
"Bo-o-ard! Counties approve UTA tax" Deseret News, 8 November 2000. QUOTE: "
West Jordan, West Valley City and Draper, prepare yourselves for light rail.
Ogden, the commuter train is on the way. Davis County, you might receive both.
Plus, an expanded bus system with more routes and more frequent service, Sunday
and holiday hours, extended weeknight service and -- according to proponents of
Measure One -- an enhanced quality of life for Salt Lake, Davis and Weber
counties are on the way. Voters in all three counties Tuesday approved a
quarter-cent-per-dollar sales tax increase to implement the public transit
component of a 20-year regional transportation improvement plan."
"'Facts' flung in transit tax debate: Friends, foes agree on transit need but disagree
on taxes" Deseret News, 27 October 2000. QUOTE: "The debate over the
proposed quarter-cent sales tax hike in Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties is
not about the need for an expanded regional transit system. It's about how to
pay for it."
"UTA seeks exclusive rail tracks Funds needed for a commuter line, legislators told"
Deseret News, 22 October 2000.
"Lawmakers to get preview of S.L.-Ogden train: UTA borrows cars from Washington for Tuesday
run" Deseret News, 16 October 2000. QUOTE: "A diesel train more
accustomed to the haul from Tacoma, Wash., to Seattle will take invited guests
from Salt Lake City to Ogden on Tuesday in a special demonstration of
commuter-rail technology."
"Support is building for light-rail tax, fluoridation" Deseret News, 1 October
2000. QUOTE: ""Eight years after voters rejected a tax hike to pay for a
light-rail mass transit system, the trains are up and running in Salt Lake
County. But will that make residents along the Wasatch Front any more receptive
to a sales tax increase for transit improvements?
"UTA getting
funds to help buy rail land Route in Davis, Weber could offer commuter
service" Deseret News, 29 September 2000. QUOTE: "The U.S.
Department of Transportation awarded the equivalent of $11.5 million to UTA on
Thursday to help purchase 23.3 miles of abandoned rail right of way for a
future Wasatch Front commuter-rail system."
"Davis officials seek light rail: Some say it would be a better option than commuter
rail line" Deseret News, 28 September 2000. QUOTE: "Davis County
officials have asked the Wasatch Front Regional Council to consider including a
light-rail spur from Salt Lake City as part of its regional transportation plan
to be funded by a proposed sales tax increase."
