TRAX (light rail)

TRAX (light rail) is a light rail system serving the Salt Lake City metropolitan area in Utah, operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). The system opened in 1999 and has since expanded to three primary lines, connecting downtown Salt Lake City with the University of Utah, South Salt Lake, and communities in Salt Lake County and Sandy, Utah. It is a critical component of the region's public transportation network, integrating with FrontRunner commuter rail and an extensive bus system.

History

Planning for the system began in the early 1990s, driven by air quality concerns and anticipated growth from the 2002 Winter Olympics. The initial segment, funded in part by a local sales tax increase and federal grants from the Federal Transit Administration, opened in December 1999, linking downtown Salt Lake City with Sandy, Utah. Major expansions were completed ahead of the 2002 Winter Olympics, including the University Line to the University of Utah and the University Medical Center. Subsequent extensions, such as the line to West Valley City in 2011 and the Salt Lake City International Airport in 2013, were part of UTA's comprehensive FrontLines 2015 project.

Lines and stations

The system comprises three color-designated lines: the **Blue Line**, running from Draper through downtown to the Salt Lake City International Airport; the **Red Line**, connecting the University of Utah to Daybreak in South Jordan; and the **Green Line**, which travels from West Valley City to the Salt Lake City International Airport. Key transfer hubs include the Salt Lake Central Station, which connects to FrontRunner and Amtrak's California Zephyr, and the Courthouse Station in the central business district. Stations feature distinctive public art installations as part of UTA's Art in Transit program.

Operations

TRAX operates seven days a week, with frequent service during peak periods and reduced schedules on weekends and holidays. Fares are integrated across all UTA services, including buses and FrontRunner, using the agency's electronic fare card system. Security is provided by the UTA Police Department, and the system is monitored by an extensive network of surveillance cameras. Operations are coordinated from UTA's central control facility in Salt Lake City.

Rolling stock

The fleet consists primarily of Siemens S70 and older SD-100 low-floor light rail vehicles. The articulated vehicles are powered by 750-volt DC overhead catenary and operate on standard gauge track. The S70 models, acquired for system expansions, feature improved accessibility and passenger capacity. All maintenance is performed at the dedicated Mid-Jordan Light Rail Maintenance Facility.

Future expansion

Long-term plans, outlined in UTA's Transit Master Plan, include potential extensions to fast-growing areas like Herriman and southwest Salt Lake County. Studies are also evaluating increased service frequency and the integration of new technologies, such as battery-electric vehicles for non-electified extensions. These plans align with regional growth strategies developed by the Wasatch Front Regional Council and transportation goals set by the Utah Department of Transportation.

Category:Light rail in the United States Category:Transportation in Salt Lake City Category:Utah Transit Authority