Utah Transit Authority

Say hi to Nichol Bourdeaux, an Mpact National Steering Committee member representing Mpact Partner, Utah Transit Authority! Swipe through the photos and read on to learn more about Nichol, her perspective on the industry and see projects in Utah.    😊 Tell us about yourself & what you do.  Hey everybody, Nichol here, a public administration wonk born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I currently serve as the Chief Planning and Engagement Officer for the Utah Transit Authority. Throughout my tenure at UTA, I have been fortunate to lead a wonderful team dedicated to public transit and the benefits of transit for the community. As the chief executive of strategic long-range planning, service planning, community engagement, customer experience, customer service, and innovative mobility solutions, I work closely with the board of trustees, executive leadership, stakeholders, and the community to strategically plan the implementation of the UTA vision with the community at the forefront. And, as common as it may sound, like every Utahn, I enjoy the outdoors and spending time with my family.   🧠 What one word or phrase captures why you’re involved with Mpact?  Brain trust.   🗣️ What are we not talking about enough?  The elephant in the room is operations and maintenance funding. More and more communities are calling for new or increased transit service. We have an opportunity to provide more by collaborating with our communities and stakeholders on strategic funding strategies.   🔥 What’s your mobility, land use or community development hot take?  Transit is vital to the economic ecosystem. Public transit drives the economy by providing access to opportunities, capital development, and direct and indirect jobs. Investing in public transit through community development, transit service, or transit-supportive land use benefits the community as a whole.   🔋 How do you stay energized in your work?   Participating in Mpact is one of the primary ways I feel reinvigorated. The opportunity to continue to learn about innovative transit ideas, share stories of success, and thoughtfully problem-solve is an ideal benefit of participating in the National Steering Committee for Mpact.

The City of South Jordan Downtown TRAX station is officially open! This exciting addition to the Utah Transit Authority Red Line enhances transit access for residents, businesses, and visitors — just in time for the Salt Lake Bees’ season at the new Ballpark at America First Square. WFRC was happy to help South Jordan and UTA plan for the new station and for Downtown Daybreak. This project is a great example of the community benefits that can be achieved through thoughtful and collaborative planning for mixed-use city centers. We encourage you to see it for yourself! Hop on the TRAX. #WFRC #SouthJordanTRAX #RideUTA #PublicTransit #WhereMatters

Thanks to the partnership with Larry H. Miller Real Estate, Utah Transit Authority and the City of South Jordan, the new South Jordan Downtown TRAX Station is open for business in Downtown Daybreak months ahead of schedule.   The new stop on the TRAX Red Line will drop riders just steps away from The Ballpark at America First Square – the new home of the Salt Lake Bees and the first Megaplex cinema entertainment center complete with luxury bowling, cinema experiences, games and more.   Whether you’re watching a baseball game, catching a movie or looking for a new place to eat, or live, Downtown Daybreak in South Jordan has something for everyone, and getting here has never been easier.   This is just the beginning.   For more information on the TRAX Red Line, visit rideuta.com.

Your next stop is… South Jordan Downtown! Now open on the TRAX Red Line, this new station is at the center of a growing hub for entertainment, dining, shopping, and housing. Located near the Downtown Daybreak development and the Ballpark at America First Square, home of the Salt Lake Bees, it connects you to everything South Jordan has to offer — today and in the exciting years ahead. Built in partnership with CRSA, Larry H. Miller, Paulsen Construction, South Jordan City, and UDOT, this station supports the city’s continued growth and offers more ways to move quickly, conveniently, and sustainably across the Wasatch Front. Hop on board and check it out today! #RideUTA City of South Jordan Dawn R. Ramsey Salt Lake Bees The Larry H. Miller Company Utah Department of Transportation

Utah Transit Authority board trustee Beth Holbrook is also APTA's Legislative Committee Chair. She traveled from Utah to Washington, D.C., to tell lawmakers stories of local Stadler manufacturing jobs and regional economic growth, all driven by investments in public transportation. The many communities surrounding Salt Lake City face the geographical limitations of the Wasatch Front and public #transit plays a key role in combating congestion and connecting workforce, housing, and lifestyle. Learn more about how #TransitIsEssential and how many American jobs are created when we #InvestInTransit > https://lnkd.in/eJKT9Jxf

Do you ever wonder which large parks and trails are accessible via transit in the Wasatch Front? If you're one of those transit nerds, we've got an interactive map for you. This was developed by Keunhyun Park and our students and funded by the Utah Transit Authority. Hope this helps you plan some fun outings! https://lnkd.in/ghcgwe4i

Meet Willie Black, a lifelong transit user. Willie learned how to ride the bus at 9 years old and has continued to take transit ever since! Willie serves as a member of UTA's Committee on Accessible Transportation, which gives community members with disabilities the opportunity to advise UTA on accessibility issues throughout our system. Are you interested in making a difference? Visit rideuta.com/cat to learn more about the Committee on Accessible Transportation and to apply to become a member. #WeMoveYou #RideUTA

Today is National Transit Employee Appreciation Day! 💙 It's the perfect time to recognize the incredible team that keeps us moving every day. From the operators who safely get us where we need to go to the maintenance crews who ensure everything runs smoothly and the dedicated staff working behind the scenes — their efforts make our transit system possible. 🙌🚍🚆 Help us celebrate by dropping a comment, sharing your thanks, or tagging someone who makes your ride better. Let's show the UTA team just how much we appreciate them! #ThankATransitWorker #NationalTransitEmployeeAppreciationDay #RideUTA

UTA Vanpool Team Drives Innovation The UTA Vanpool team drives innovative solutions through employee-generated ideas. Here are recent results from our continuous improvement model: RidePro Maintenance Service Reminders Using Geotab mileage to automate service reminders for the maintenance team, the Vanpool team created automated service reminders for 484 vans and reduced the average repair waiting time from 3 days to 1 day. Creation of a Yard Map The Vanpool team created a yard map system that optimizes efficiency by improving the average van retrieval time from 60 minutes to 10 minutes and mapping a centralized location for 65 vans. The team also created a cross-training so that 5 employees could retrieve vans instead of just 1 employee. Improved Van Servicing Schedules Throughout 2024, the Vanpool team expanded miles between preventative maintenance services from 5,000 miles to 7,500 miles for UTA’s hybrid fleet. Additional hybrid purchases have led to a reduction in UTA’s carbon footprint. New Van Decal Vendor UTA doubled the output of new van decals by switching to a new vendor. Each innovation reflects employees’ passion about improving their daily work and creating and following best practices that proactively solve problems. To learn more about UTA’s Vanpool service and how it can benefit you and your company, visit rideuta.com/vanpool

Take a tour of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) ♻️🌍 At UTA, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond providing eco-friendly transportation options. By improving our recycling practices, we can reduce waste and lessen our impact on the environment. High-tech facilities like the MRF help sort recyclables more accurately, meaning more material ultimately gets recycled and remade into new goods at their final destination. #rideuta