Under mostly clear skies and only moderately bad air quality, Salt Lake City and county elected officials and the Utah Transit Authority on Tuesday announced an inversion-fighting day of free transit fares Friday to promote ridership on one of the season’s busiest shopping days.
“Free Fare Friday” is a one-off demonstration to promote public awareness. The brainchild of outgoing City Council Chairman Stan Penfold, it will lift the $2.50 fare on all buses and trains in the UTA’s entire six-county service area. The City Council, Salt Lake County mayor’s office and UTA are underwriting the effort with $70,000 that covers the average weekday take on cash fares.