Guide to the Salt Lake City Train

Fun Things To Do in Salt LakeUtah Travel

Dec 5

When you visit a city or state, it is always good practice to get to know the public transport system. This will make it easy for you to get around and make it from point A to point B with ease. For this guide, you will learn more about the Salt Lake City train. It is a good option for those who want to easily travel from one part of the city to another so you can maximize the things to see or do during your stay.

Public Transportation in Salt Lake City

Whether you travel to Utah for work or play, you can conveniently use public transit in order to get around. This is a good option if you don’t want to drive your own car. The other benefit of traveling by public transport system is that it is generally cheaper. It will only cost you a fraction of what you would spend when hiring an Uber or Lyft driver.

There are a few options for public transport in the city that you will learn about here, especially one of the least known ways to get around – the Salt Lake City train.

The first option is the bus. Most major cities in the US have an efficient bus system for public transportation. You can find one in Salt Lake City too. There are various bus companies serving different routes within the city. It pays to know about the routes they serve so you know which bus to take at which times (and which stop).

When taking the bus, it is recommended that you arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled arrival. This will ensure that you won’t miss your bus.

As soon as your bus arrives, you can hop on and pay the fare. Make sure you pay the exact change as the driver will not provide any change. You can also use prepaid cards and passes to pay for your bus ride. You can check here for the latest info on the bus fares in Salt Lake City.

The next option for your public transport is the Salt Lake City Train. There are different types of trains available, and they have different routes to serve. Make sure to get familiar with these so you can choose the right train to take for your intended destination.

Salt Lake City Train Guide

The rail transport system in Salt Lake City is a great way to get around and see most of what the city has to offer. The Utah Transport Authority (UTA) operates the light rail system in Utah known as TRAX. The other commuter train is the FrontRunner.

The TRAX line serves mainly Salt Lake City and its surrounding suburbs. Its official name is Transit Express, but it is rarely used. All of the TRAX trains are electric and have overhead wires that are used to power the train.

The TRAX lines serve three different routes that are color-coded. The Blue Line services the Salt Lake Central Station that encompasses downtown Salt Lake City, south Salt Lake City, Sandy, Murray, and Draper. The Red Line serves the following routes: University of Utah, Midvale, Daybreak, South Jordan, and West Jordan. Finally, there is the Green Line that serves Salt Lake City International Airport including downtown Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake City, West Valley City, and North Temple.

There is another specialized train route known as the S Line Streetcar. Depending on the route serviced by each line, the train will make a stop at every station. There are also connecting routes via the FrontRunner commuter trail.

The train stations are typically located at key points throughout the city. Therefore, they make a practical way to get around the city if you want to go sightseeing or get from one destination to another. Once you get off the station, you can transfer to another rail line or choose another method of public transportation to arrive at your destination.

You can check the official UTA website to learn more about the train schedules. You can also buy your tickets online or via the vending machine at the train station.

FrontRunner

Aside from the TRAX train, the FrontRunner is the other commuter trail line in Salt Lake City. This train operates across the Wasatch Front with 16 different stations along the 89-mile route.

Just as when you are taking the TRAX train, you must head to the corresponding FrontRunner station. You can check here for ticket prices and train schedules.

There are different types of cars available for the FrontRunner rail. The first one is a single-level car known as Comet Cars. This one is not wheelchair-accessible and is not recommended for those traveling with bikes. There is another car that is bi-level, which is the best option for those who require accessibility.

Once you reach your intended stop, simply press the button near the door to open it when the train comes to a stop. But since the trains will stop at all stations, there is no need to request the driver to stop.

Tips When Riding the Salt Lake City Train

Whether you are riding the TRAX or FrontRunner trains, it is important to remember the following tips to make your ride more efficient.

Get to your stop early. The train will not wait on anybody and if you miss your train, you must take the next one. Give yourself enough time to purchase and pay for your tickets (if you haven’t purchased beforehand).

Always prepare an exact fare as no change will be provided. You can also use cashless payment options.
Don’t forget to tap on and off as you board and exit the train.
Make sure you are on the right side of the platform to board the train.
Always stand behind the yellow strip. This is the safe waiting distance for passengers.
Always check the train routes if you need to make transfers. This will let you know where you need to get off the train and how to find your next train route.

Use this guide when you are planning your visit to Utah and use the Salt Lake City train to get around.

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