Utah County adopts updated BRT resolution, adds language opposing new free-fare subsidies

The Utah County Commission voted 3–0 to adopt an updated resolution concerning the Provo–Orem Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, adding a clause that states the county “do not support the use of any additional transportation dollars for free fare for any transit projects.”

The vote followed a lengthy public comment period and a presentation by Steve Myers of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). Resident Diane Christiansen urged the commission to reconsider county support, saying UTA had overstated ridership when applying for federal grants and that public records and decision-making had not always been handled transparently. “The ridership was not 3,600 a day, but more like 2,500 a day,” Christiansen said.

Steve Myers, identified as a UTA representative, told commissioners the ridership estimates were accurate at the time they were produced and that changes — such as BYU’s decision to end a campus pass program — have affected numbers since publication. “I think that comment about exaggerated ridership is incorrect,” Myers said, adding UTA is working with BYU and local stakeholders to restore pass programs and encourage ridership.

Myers also described the project’s funding structure: the BRT grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is capped at $150 million, while a parallel UDOT roadway project is locally funded at about $40 million. He said some elements of the two projects are managed together — for example, intersection improvements — and explained that change orders over $200,000 require executive-committee approval. Myers said roughly 20% of construction is complete and about 80% of funds have been obligated under contract.

Commission debate centered on transparency, local control and the long-term costs of any temporary free-fare pilot. Commissioner (Speaker 7), who proposed the new clause, told colleagues the addition was intended to prevent committing new local tax dollars to subsidize fares and to reflect the commission’s concerns about sustainability and fiscal responsibility.

The commission’s adopted resolution instructs staff to continue oversight and to seek increased transparency and public engagement from regional partners. UTA told commissioners it would continue briefings and respond to requests for more detailed documentation and staff-level coordination.

Next steps noted at the meeting included further briefings to city councils and continued coordination among UTA, UDOT, the Mountainland Association of Governments and affected municipalities. The executive committee that oversees contingency spending will continue to review change orders and enhancements tied to the project.