Orem mayor Jerry Washburn joined other community leaders from Utah County Friday on a test ride of the FrontRunner, the commuter train that will run from Pleasant View, north of Ogden, to Salt lake City starting in the spring.

Washburn said he liked the ride.

"I think it was a very helpful trip to get a feeling for the equipment we will have," he said. "I think it will be a real boon to our communities. I believe that it will encourage people to use it. I am confident it will have a huge impact, helping relieve congestion on the freeway, especially during the reconstruction. I was very impressed."

Washburn said there was still work to be done to coordinate services to make the transportation more convenient, and therefore more useful to the public.

"We have a real challenge to improve our transit," he said. "It will require us also to have better bus service. We need seamless transit links, so people can take a bus, then get on the train."

The special ride was conducted by UTA as a demonstration of the high-speed commuter rail. They anticipate service will be extended to Utah County in a little more than three years. They plan stops in Provo, Orem, American Fork and at Thanksgiving Point. They have hired the contractors who will begin construction on what will be termed FrontRunner South.

Hugh Johnson, Regional General Manager of UTA's Timpanogos Division in Utah County, told the riders about the timetable.

"We will begin utility work in spring of 2008," he said. "The environmental work has been completed. The rail line should be completed to Provo by 2011. It sounds like a long time, but it will go quickly."

Johnson said the line would be completed about the same time as reconstruction would begin on the freeway.

"This will alleviate some of those problems," he said.

He anticipated other benefits, including access to Utah County from people in Salt Lake County.

"It will be a great benefit for the economy of the valley," he said.

Steve Densley of the Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce agreed.

"We are excited about the ability to get Salt lake citizens down to shop," he said.

Thompson said the pending service was a reflection of the growth in the county.

"It is one of the signs of growing up and maturing," he said. "It is taking advantage of the best technology and recognizing that public transportation has a huge role in modern society. We can't always rely on our love affair with the automobile."

On the 15-mile demonstration ride Friday, the train reached 79 mph, surpassing the traffic on the nearby freeway, especially at one point where the traffic came to a standstill because of an obstruction.

American Fork mayor Heber Thompson also said he enjoyed the ride.

"I think it was very comfortable and comparable to good quality European trains," he said. He served as a mission president in France for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "I like the vistas. There are lots of windows."

He also said he appreciated the amenities which were provided. Those included tables between the seats and Internet access.

"I think the wireless Internet connections show a lot of foresight on UTA's part," he said.

Thompson said he hoped the service would have a lot of use.

"I think people would be very encouraged to ride this," he said. "For comfort it is really top-notch."

Nelson Abbott, a member of the Elk Ridge City Council, said he enjoyed the trip.

"It was nice, very clean and quiet," he said. "The best part was seeing the cars not moving and going right past them."

Johnson explained there was no "clickety-clack" typical of standard trains because the rails had been welded to eliminate the noise.

Most of the trains will have and engine and three cars, although they can handle up to seven. Some of the trains have a capacity of 10 cars. The trains with three cars have a capacity of 450 passengers. There are main and upper levels, with a mid-level section at each end of the car.

Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson said he was anticipating having the service in Utah County.

"I am looking forward to it," he said. "I am excited for it to be in. I believe once it is in place and people begin to understand and appreciate the convenience, it will be well utilized."