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UTA ends a 4-year ridership skid. The key is free fare and faster service — but is it a formula the agency can repeat?

Orem • Utah Valley University student Kyle Dittmer says that until recently, he never considered riding Utah Transit Authority buses and trains. They were expensive and waits often were long. He liked the freedom of driving.

“Mainly, it’s free,” at least to him, thanks to a deal by UTA, UVU and Brigham Young University for students and faculty. Also, anyone can ride free on the new Utah Valley Express (UVX) bus rapid transit line, courtesy of a three-year federal grant.

“It’s also convenient now,” Dittmer says. UVX runs every six minutes during peak times.