Is Your Commute One Seat or Two?

I wanted to say a word about current bus routes and destinations. In doing so, I must admit that I do not rely on the bus for my daily commute. But, I am a proponent to keep the buses moving and indeed to make the current system even better. We need better routes to take people to the FrontRunner, which is the train we already have. UTA refers to this as better east-west "connectivity." We also need shelters for those who wait. You may have your own ideas for better bus accessibility or convenience. Currently Centerville is served by three routes.

Route 455, known as the WSU/Davis County/U of U route, extends from Ogden on the north (17th & Wall) to Research Park and the University of Utah on the south. On selected trips, this route passes by the Farmington FrontRunner station. On weekdays, buses begin operation around 5:00 am and conclude after 10:00 pm. This bus passes through Centerville on 20-60 minute headways (see schedule for exact times). This route travels through Centerville on 400 East traveling along Orchard Drive, into Salt Lake on Beck Street, 300 West, North Temple, State Street, and 400 South.

Route 470, known as the Salt Lake/Davis County/Ogden route, is the most utilized of the three mentioned. It's route extends from Ogden on the north to Salt Lake City (400 South & State) on the south. This route travels through Centerville on Main Street traveling along Main Street in Bountiful, Highway 89, and into Salt Lake on Beck Street, 300 West, North Temple, and State Street. On selected trips, this route passes by the State Capitol. On weekdays, buses begin operation around 4:00 am and finished after 1:00 am operating on 20-60 minute headways. Weekend schedules differ (see schedule for exact times).

Route 471, known as the Centerville route, provides service during peak periods only. It's route extends from Jennings Lane & 400 West in Centerville on the north to 400 South and West Temple in Salt Lake City on the south. This route travels through Centerville on 400 West, traveling along 200 West in Bountiful, Wildcat Way in North Salt Lake and into Salt Lake on Beck Street, 300 West, North Temple, State Street, and 400 South.

Currently, we can load a bus in Centerville on 400 West, Main Street, and 400 East. It is interesting to understand that all three of these routes enter Salt Lake City on Beck Street, 300 West, North Temple, and State Street. The UTA estimates that current travel time from Centerville to Salt Lake City on Route 470 is 34 minutes (ESR, p. 2-6). The UTA also estimates that your future travel time on the proposed rail system from Centerville to Salt Lake City will be 31 minutes (ESR, p. 2-6). Before you think you just saved 6 minutes in your daily commute, you need to hear the rest of the story. In order to take the streetcar you must first get yourself to Center Street & Main Street or Pages Lane and Main Street. Then after the 3 minute faster ride to Salt Lake City, you will find that you are not on 300 West or North Temple or State Street or 400 South, where you usually disembark from the bus, but you have arrived at the Salt Lake Intermodal Hub located at 300 South and 600 West. You now need to make your way across the platform to TRAX or to a bus to take you to your destination. Somehow, I think you just lost your 3 minutes. Sorry.