Utah Transit Authority fares will be free in February

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall speaking at a press conference on Tuesday. Photo: Twitter @slcmayor

PARK CITY, Utah — The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) announced on Tuesday that fares will be free during the month of February.

UTA said that the effort was led by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, and numerous other local governments, partner government agencies, and private businesses.

February is traditionally a very challenging month for air quality along the Wasatch Front. Last week, Salt Lake City had the worst air quality in the United States.

“UTA has held several free fare days with support from our partners,” said Carlton Christensen, chair of the UTA Board of Trustees.

“We are excited to build on that success with Free Fare February, continuing efforts to increase awareness about how we can improve our air quality by riding public transit.”

Mayor Michelle Kaufusi of Provo and Mayor Mike Caldwell of Ogden are also supporting the effort. The Salt Lake City Council has pledged to contribute up to $50,000.

“Salt Lake City will continue to fight for clean air, through policies, programs and education. Our efforts are much more effective, though, when we have valley- and state-wide partners who join in,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

“Free Fare February is an example of that type of collaboration and I’m excited to see the impact this change has not only on Salt Lake City’s air quality, but on our neighboring communities as well.”

UTA: Fares will be free in February across our entire service area on all UTA bus and rail services, including Ski Bus, paratransit service, the Park City-SLC Connect, and UTA On Demand in southwestern Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City – Westside.