BYU NewsNet - Provo to Build New Bus System

The Provo City Council unanimously approved measures that might make BYU students' morning commute a breeze.

Tuesday night, council members voted 6-0 in favor of a resolution to construct Utah County's first bus rapid transit system along 100 West. The Utah Transit Authority on Monday opened the state's first bus rapid transit line along 3500 South, connecting Magna and West Valley City to TRAX. While nothing is set in stone, the Provo-Orem line will run north from Novell on 100 West to 700 North, eventually stopping somewhere on or near campus.

The route's final stop in Orem by Utah Valley University will connect to the Front Runner South commuter rail. That means Provo residents will eventually be able to travel from the Provo Towne Centre mall all the way to EnergySolutions Arena without burning an ounce of gasoline.

"We've always seen that area as being a very critical travel corridor," said Wayne Parker, Provo's chief administrative officer. "Up to this point there hasn't been an easy way [to connect it]."

Buses will have a dedicated lane along the route and run every seven minutes. Similar to TRAX stations in Salt Lake County, UTA will build BRT stations periodically along the route with canopies and ticket dispensers. A round trip from Novell to UVU will take 35 mintues.

"Can't quite drive it that fast, I don't think, in most situations," Parker said. "It's often described as light rail on rubber tires."

Bus rapid transit provides all the advantages of light rail at a smaller expense, Parker said. The dedicated lane makes the system more competitive with traffic and allows riders to choose local and express routes, which isn't possible with light rail.

The city hopes the new system will alleviate traffic congestion and improve the parking situation south of campus.

"That was one of the things that is very attractive about bus rapid transit," Parker said. "One of the guiding principles in doing this is improving parking, reducing congestion and improving air quality."

UTA still needs BYU's permission to extend the route through the university's campus. If a deal can't be reached, Parker said the route will probably circumvent BYU on 900 East and then extend west on University Parkway to UVU.

"BYU is still considering alternatives, but we're pretty clear the route will be 700 North and University Parkway. What happens in between those two has yet to be defined."

UTA has planned a public hearing July 30 at the Provo Library to discuss the placement of stations and which streets would be best for the route.