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FrontRunner

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FrontRunner
Utah Transit Authority's commuter rail
A FrontRunner train heading toward Davis County
A FrontRunner train heading toward Davis County
Overview
OwnerUtah Transit Authority
LocaleWasatch Front
Transit typeCommuter Rail
Number of lines1 (UTA route 750)
Number of stations16
Daily ridership6,000 (Q3 2012)[1]
WebsiteRideUTA.com
Operation
Began operation26 April 2008[2][dead link]
Operator(s)UTA
Reporting marksUTAX
Technical
System length88 miles (142 km)
29.5 mi (47.5 km) single track (original line)
8.5 mi (13.7 km) double track (original line)[3][dead link]
No. of tracks1-2
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Top speed79 mph (127 km/h)
System map


A map of the entire UTA rail system by August 2013

FrontRunner (reporting mark UTAX) is a commuter rail system operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) that serves the Wasatch Front from Pleasant View in northern Weber County through Ogden, Davis County, Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County to Provo in central Utah County. FrontRunner is a push/pull locomotive sytem (with the train engines running "backwards" half the time).[23]

History

FrontRunner runs south from Pleasant View to Provo with a total length of 88 miles (142 km). Work started on the intial section of the line (Salt Lake City to Ogden) in 2005. Seven of the planned eight stations opened to riders on 26 April 2008.[2][dead link]

The route uses a portion of the right-of-way of the historic Utah Central Railroad, built in 1869 to connect the First Transcontinental Railroad with Salt Lake City and acquired by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1878.[24] UTA-owned track parallels UP track until Ogden, where UP and UTA share the final 6 mi (9.7 km) of track to Pleasant View.

Most of the FrontRunner line is single-tracked (though it runs parallel to UP tracks), with double track at stations and several other points along the line to allow trains to pass each other. FrontRunner closely parallels Interstate 15 for most of the route.

There are about 25 round trips on weekdays between Ogden and Provo (through Salt Lake City). Trains run hourly from about 4:30 am to just after midnight on weekdays (increasing to half hour runs for the morning and evening commutes). Saturdays train run every hour and a half from about 6:00 am to 1:30 am the next morning. There is currently no FrontRunner service on Sundays.[25]

Each station (except Salt Lake Central) has a Park and Ride lot. There is no charge for parking in these lots and the number of parking spaces available at each station ranges from 235 to 874.[26]

Pleasant View

The station in Pleasant View was supposed to open along with the rest of the line in April 2008, but improvements to the shared stretch of track owned by Union Pacific were delayed when railroad workers were diverted to repair tracks damaged by a landslide near Oakridge, Oregon.[27] Only bus service was used between Ogden and Pleasant View until 29 September 2008, when the track improvements were complete.[28][29]

Union Pacific limited FrontRunner to one southbound train in the morning and one northbound in the evening after the Pleasant View station opened to rail traffic. Riders were required to transfer from one train to another in Ogden. In January 2009 this was increased to three trains for each morning and evening, with one running straight through in each direction, though the other two still required transfers between trains.[30]

Service to Pleasant View temporarily ended 6 September 2011. FrontRunner trains were able to run only four times daily to Pleasant View due to the sharing of track with Union Pacific; low ridership exacerbated the problem.[31] Limited weekday only commuter serivce to Pleasant View resumed on 10 December 2012 with two train picking up passengers in the morning and and two trains dropping off passengers in the evening. However, no transfers between trains are required, as was sometimes the case in the past. Nothwithstanding, service is supplementated by regular bus runs between Pleasant View and the Odgen Intermodal Transit Center for the morning and evening weekday commutes.[32]

FrontRunner South

Utah is the second fastest growing state in the United States. UTA's rail expansion is the largest and most ambitious project in the Western United States and is designed to specifically address the growing transportation need.[33] 44 miles (71 km) have been added to the FrontRunner line with the opening of the southern extension, which UTA refers to as FrontRunner South. The extension expands the former southern terminus from Salt Lake Central (Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub) to Provo. The expansion of UTA and the addition of the FrontRunner South rail successfully meet UTA's goals of increasing transportation opportunities to those living along the Wasatch Front and of decreasing traffic congestion caused by the transportation needs of a growing population.[citation needed] Seven new stations were built in Murray, South Jordan, Draper, Lehi, American Fork, Orem, and Provo, with one one more planned in Vineyard in the future.[34] The Utah Transit Authority began work on the line after a ground breaking ceremony on 12 August 2008 service began on the new section on 10 December 2012.[35][36] Funds were appropriated to accommodate this project in 2006 via a sales tax increase referendum,[37] and the remaining funding was obtained through a letter of intent signed with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on 24 September 2007.

Following its opening for service on 10 December 2012, early estimates of ridership for FrontRunner South exceeded expectations. UTA's anticipated about 6,800 riders per day, but during the first week of operation, UTA reported more than 7,800 riders per day. However, UTA also indicated that it was not entirely expected as there is usually a high number of riders when a line opens before a longer term pattern of ridership is established.[38] At the same time FrontRunner South opened for service North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe, a new infill station on the previous line, opened as well.

The city of Lehi is investigating options to build overpasses or underpasses to separate the rail traffic from the downtown vehicle traffic, though the status of this is uncertain as the cost of the project is in the tens of millions of dollars.[39]

Brigham City to Nephi

Future extensions are envisioned that would eventually encompass over 135 miles (217 km) of the Wasatch Front, providing service as far north as Brigham City and as far south as Nephi.[40] As with all existing FrontRunner and TRAX stations, all future extensions of the FrontRunner line(s) will be integrated with UTA's bus system.

Route

The FrontRunner is designated as UTA Route 750.

FrontRunner currently begins at the Provo Station in Provo. This station located between 200 West and Univerisity Avenue (US 189) on the south side of the FrontRunner and Union Pacific railroad tracks which run immediately south of 600 South in Provo. This station is also just southwest of Amtrack's Provo Station. Heading west it crosses 200 West, 500 West, and 700 West before it curves toward the north. After crossing 900 West at 500 South it heads northwest until it crosses under Center Street (Utah State Route 114|SR-114) just immediately east of the 1-15/Center Street interchange. It then crosses Draper Lane and then over the Provo River Parkway trail and then the Provo River. Continuing northwest it crosses 820 North (at about 1950 West) then crosses under the "S curve" of I-15. It then crosses 1680 North (at about 2550 West), 2800 West just south of 2000 North, and 2000 North (Provo grid)/2000 South (Orem grid) just west of 2800 West. At this point FrontRunner leaves Provo and briefly enters unincorporeated Utah County.

Continuing northwest FrontRunner leaves unincorporated Utah County and enters Orem at about 1550 South before crossing under University Parkway (SR-265) immediately west of the I-15/University Parkway interchange. At 1350 West 900 South it reaches the Orem Station.

Quiet Zone

The entire length of the FrontRunner corridor (including the southern extension) has been approved as a "Quiet Zone" by the Federal Railroad Administration. Essentially a Quiet Zone designation eliminates the requirement for train operators to sound their horn when approaching each public crossing. However, for obvious safety reasons, they are not prohibited from sounding their horn, if appropriate. The Quiet Zone applies to all trains (including freight trains) within the same corridor. Each city along the route had to individually apply for the designation, but UTA provided substantial assistance with the process. Several safety upgrades must be in place at all public crossings in order to receive Quiet Zone approval. In addition to the normal automatic warning bells and lights, required upgrades include crossing guards, warning signs that trains do not blare horns in the area, and raised medians (which prevent cars from driving around lowered gates). There are also additional safety features for pedestrians. Prior to the southern extension, FrontRunner had the longest Quiet Zone in the nation--the southern extension doubled the length of the previous Quiet Zone.[41][42]

Fare Rates

The current FrontRunner rates are one-way and distance based. The base fare is $2.35 with an additional $0.55 for each additional stop. The maximum fare charged one-way is $9.50. For Seniors the base fare is $1.15 and $0.25 for each additional stop with a maximum fare of $2.40. There is also a promotional Group Pass which allows up to four riders of any age to ride together on FrontRunner, TRAX and local buses for $14.00. The Group Pass is valid starting at 10 a.m. and lasts the entire day. A student pass allowing students unlimited FrontRunner access for 30 consecutive days is available for $141.75. This pass also allows the students to ride on any local buses, express buses, and TRAX.

Equipment

FrontRunner runs 11 MPXpress (MP36PH-3C)[43][dead link] locomotives from Motive Power International of Boise, Idaho, 22 new bi-level Bombardier cars, and has recently repainted 25 refurbished ex-New Jersey Transit Comet Is[44] which entered service on 17 September 2008.[45] Thirty ex-Metra gallery cars were given to UTA free of charge, but they were determined to be in too poor condition to refurbish, and are being scrapped and used for spare parts for the Comet trains.[46][47]

Two months into service UTA began receiving complaints about the number of bicycles on the trains. The Bombardier cars were designed to hold two bicycles near the rear doors of each train, but up to 15 bicycles per car were reported by some riders.[48] UTA is investigating options to increase capacity for bicycles, including more lockers at the stations.

FrontRunner North is served by 20 Bombardier bi-level cars, and will soon be joined by 15 Comet Is, while FrontRunner South will start with eighteen Bombardier bi-level cars on order at a cost of $2.2 million each, and the remaining 10 refurbished Comets.[47]

Wireless internet, provided by Nomad Digital,[49][dead link] is available on all the FrontRunner cars, including the refurbished Comet trains[47] free of charge.[50]

File:FrontRunner Bombardier interior 1.jpg
Interior of a bi-level Bombardier coach
Upper level of a bi-level Bombardier coach
FrontRunner Fleet[51]
Model Image Manufactured Road Numbers Number in Fleet Notes
MPXpress MP36PH-3C locomotives 2007 1-11 11 Another locomotive, #12, was leased to Minnesota's Northstar Commuter Rail, and subsequently acquired by Northstar in June 2010.[52]
Bi-level Bombardier cabs 2006 101-112 12  
Bi-level Bombardier coaches 2007 201-208 8  
Comet I coaches 1971–1973 301-325 25 Refurbished by Bombardier Transportation before entering service. At least five coaches are in service with Metrolink[53] (coaches 302,[54] 309,[55] 315,[56] 317[57] & 320[58]).
Former FrontRunner Fleet
Model Image Manufactured Road Numbers Number in Fleet Notes
Pullman bi-level gallery coaches 1960–1968 (Metra) 8749[59] & others 30 Acquired from Metra at no charge, deemed to be in too poor shape to refurbish, being scrapped for parts for the Comet cars.[46]

Stations

County Municipality Station[28] Connections[28] Park & Ride[60]
spaces 		Notes
UTA Bus UTA TRAX
Weber Pleasant View Pleasant View 616 About
250		 Limited peak-hour service only
Ogden Ogden Intermodal Transit Center 455, 456, 470, 473, 603, 604, 613, 616, 630, F618 476 Connection with Greyhound Lines bus service
Roy Roy 604, F628 502
Davis Clearfield Clearfield 470, 640, F628 561
Layton Layton 470, 477 383
Farmington Farmington 455, 456, 473 874
Woods Cross Woods Cross 460, 461, 463 235
Salt Lake Salt Lake City North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe
(North Temple) 		6, 209, 500, 516, 520  704  Green Line (begins 14 April 2013) Coming
soon
Salt Lake Central
(Salt Lake Intermodal Hub) 		2, 2X, 3, 11, 200, 205, 218, 220, 500, 509, 513, 517, 519, 523, 550, 902  701  Blue Line Limited Connection with Amtrak California Zephyr
Connection with Greyhound Lines bus service
Murray Murray Central 54, 200, 201  701  Blue Line
 703  Red Line		 345
South Jordan South Jordan 218, 534, F514 577 Routes 218 and F514 facilitate connection between this station and Sandy Civic Center station on the Blue Line
Draper Draper F526 600
Utah Lehi Lehi 806, 807, 811, 853 739
American Fork American Fork 809, 850, F868 553
Vineyard Vineyard Planned station
Orem Orem 830, 831, 833, 842 498
Provo Provo 805, 821, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 836, 850 811 Connection with Amtrak California Zephyr

References

  1. ^ a b "Transit Ridership Report, Third Quarter 2012" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 28 Nov 2012. Retrieved 28 Dec 2012.
  2. ^ a b "UTA Announces FrontRunner Grand Opening Date!" (Web) (Press release). Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 18 Jul 2008.
  3. ^ Petersen, Marty D. (1 Feb 2007). "FrontRunner on the front burner: Utah's new commuter rail system is expected to be a leading transportation option for the Salt Lake City region". FindArticles. Railway Age. Retrieved 3 Aug 2009.
  4. ^ Farver, Shane (1 Mar 2007). "FrontRunner announces rates". Ogden Standard-Examiner. Retrieved 3 Aug 2009.
  5. ^ "UTA's FrontRunner Service A Hit So Far, Crowds Show". KUTV. 28 Apr 2008. Retrieved 3 Aug 2009.
  6. ^ Giauque, Marc (17 Jun 2008). "UTA sees increase in ridership". KSL.com. Retrieved 3 Aug 2009.
  7. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Third Quarter 2008" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 4 Dec 2008. Retrieved 4 Jan 2010.
  8. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Fourth Quarter 2008" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 5 Mar 2009. Retrieved 4 Jan 2010.
  9. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, First Quarter 2009" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 8 Jun 2009. Retrieved 4 Jan 2010.
  10. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Second Quarter 2009" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 21 Aug 2009. Retrieved 4 Jan 2010.
  11. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Third Quarter 2009" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 23 Nov 2009. Retrieved 4 Jan 2010.
  12. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Fourth Quarter 2009" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 2 Mar 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  13. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, First Quarter 2010" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 1 Jun 2010. Retrieved 21 Sep 2010.
  14. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Second Quarter 2010" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 9 Sep 2010. Retrieved 21 Sep 2010.
  15. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Third Quarter 2010" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 29 Nov 2010. Retrieved 7 Apr 2012.
  16. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Fourth Quarter 2010" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 8 Mar 2011. Retrieved 7 Apr 2012.
  17. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, First Quarter 2011" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 7 Apr 2012.
  18. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Second Quarter 2011" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 6 Dece 2011. Retrieved 21 Oct 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Third Quarter 2011" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 24 Aug 2011. Retrieved 7 Apr 2012.
  20. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Fourth Quarter 2011" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 24 Feb 2012. Retrieved 7 Apr 2012.
  21. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, First Quarter 2012" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 22 Oct 2012.
  22. ^ "Transit Ridership Report, Second Quarter 2012" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 14 Aug 2012. Retrieved 22 Oct 2012.
  23. ^ "About FrontRunner". Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 10 Jan 2013.
  24. ^ Don Strack, Ogden Rails (Union Pacific Historical Society), 2005, ISBN 1-932704-04-3
  25. ^ "Route 750". Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 12 Dec 2012.
  26. ^ "FrontRunner Park & Ride Lots" (Web). Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 12 Dec 2012.
  27. ^ "FrontRunner forced to delay Pleasant View terminal for months". KSL.com. Associated Press. 13 Apr 2008. Retrieved 19 Nov 2012.
  28. ^ a b c "FrontRunner Fact Sheet" (PDF) (Press release). Utah Transit Authority. 1 Apr 2008. Retrieved 18 Jul 2008.
  29. ^ "FrontRunner begins hauling commuters from Pleasant View". KSL.com. Associated Press. 29 Sep 2008. Retrieved 29 Sep 2008.
  30. ^ "FrontRunner will increase its service to Pleasant View". Deseret News. Associated Press. 24 Jan 2009. Retrieved 5 Jan 2010.
  31. ^ "More bus riders in Pleasant View after FrontRunner service cuts". Standard-Examiner. 29 Sep 2011. Retrieved 21 Oct 2011.
  32. ^ "Route 616 - North Weber FrontRunner Shuttle". Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 20 Nov 2012.
  33. ^ Jones, Justin. "UTA's Seventy in Seven - Moving Forward at Full Speed." Mass Transit. 1. Vol. 34. 2008.
  34. ^ "UTA FrontLines 2015 FrontRunner South: Provo to SLC" (PDF). Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 13 Jan 2013.
  35. ^ "UTA to Break Ground on FrontRunner South". Utah Transit Authority. 8 Aug 2008. Retrieved 9 Aug 2008.
  36. ^ "UTA FrontRunner South Project Update". Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 2 Nov 2011.
  37. ^ Choate-Nielsen, Amy (20 Apr 2007). "FrontRunner is outpacing plans for I-15". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 28 Jul 2008.
  38. ^ Hesterman, Billy (22 Dec 2012). "UTA will not be running trains, buses on Christmas, New Year's". Daily Herald. Provo. Retrieved 22 Dec 2012.
  39. ^ Allred, Cathy (10 Jul 2008). "Lehi looks into changes for railroad crossings". Daily Herald. Provo. Retrieved 28 Jul 2008.
  40. ^ Stryker, Ace (14 Jan 2009). "Utah County FrontRunner expansion on track". Daily Herald. Provo. Retrieved 24 Sep 2010.
  41. ^ "Horns may go silent on new FrontRunner route — despite safety push" (Web). The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 19 Nov 2012.
  42. ^ "Front Runner South FAQs" (Web). Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 19 Nov 2012.
  43. ^ Petersen, Marty D. (Feb 2007). "FrontRunner on the front burner: Utah's new commuter rail system is expected to be a leading transportation option for the Salt Lake City region". via FindArticles.com. Railway Age. Retrieved 19 Jul 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ Richards, Mary (1 July 2008). "FrontRunner getting '70s-era rail cars". KSL.com. Retrieved 19 Jul 2008.
  45. ^ Park, Shara (17 Sep 2008). "Comet cars added to FrontRunner". KSL.com. Retrieved 18 Sep 2008.
  46. ^ a b Fattah, Geoffrey (30 Jun 2004). "UTA gets 30 rail cars from Chicago — free". FindArticles. Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 20 Jul 2008.
  47. ^ a b c Loomis, Brandon. "UTA buys East Coast rail cars". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 20 Jul 2008.
  48. ^ Callan, Tom (26 Jun 2008). "Bicycles crowd out riders on commuter rail cars". KSL.com. Retrieved 19 Jul 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ "Utah". FindArticles. Railway Age. 1 Jul 2008. Retrieved 3 Aug 2009.
  50. ^ "Internet to be available on public transportation". KSL.com. 8 Feb 2008. Retrieved 19 Jul 2008.
  51. ^ "FrontRunner Vehicles". Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 3 Aug 2009.
  52. ^ "Northstar to buy MP36 from Utah Transit Authority". Trains Magazine. 10 Jun 2010. Retrieved 10 Jun 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  53. ^ jim61773 (10 Jul 2009). "Metrolink train in Utah colors, Union Station". Flickr. Retrieved 6 Aug 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  54. ^ Ruaat, Sam (22 Jun 2009). "Metrolink 879". Flickr. Retrieved 5 Aug 2009.
  55. ^ SP8254 (12 Jun 2009). "Front Runner in So Cal". Flickr. Retrieved 6 Aug 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  56. ^ ksd73 (5 Jun 2009). "Utah Frontrunner on Metrolink". Flickr. Retrieved 6 Aug 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  57. ^ Non Paratus (15 May 2009). "That's a Long Commute from Utah!". Flickr. Retrieved 6 Aug 2009.
  58. ^ Vance, Steve (9 May 2009). "Donated Metra gallery cars in UTA's yard". flickr. Retrieved 6 Aug 2009.
  59. ^ "FrontRunner Stations" (Web). Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 2 Jan 2013.
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