The Utah Transit Authority is extending zero fares on UVX, a bus rapid transit route that runs through Provo and Orem.

The UTA board of trustees approved a resolution Wednesday authorizing a zero-fare policy on the UVX system to be extended until Aug. 14, 2024. It was initially scheduled to end on Dec. 31.

After UVX first opened in 2018, the route was free-fare for three years thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, said Megan Waters, UTA community engagement director, with the free fare being extended three years beyond that.

The reason for the extension was to allow more time to develop and consider an analysis concerning any fare or service updates to the UVX route. Part of the analysis will consider a plan to potentially collect fares after Aug. 14.

“It gives us the time to be able to thoughtfully consider the implications and ensure that people have the resources they need,” Waters said.

The organization will be seeking public comment on the preliminary plan from Feb. 28 to March 29.

According to the resolution, service and fare change proposals will presented in early February and will be discussed at the Feb. 28 UTA board meeting. The public comment period will then open and the final proposal will be revealed in May, Waters said.

The main reason for the analysis is to ensure that UTA services remain equitable and no population is being disproportionately impacted.

“There will also be an equity analysis happening in the background to really ensure that we understand if there are impacts that we know about them, that we can mitigate them or avoid them altogether,” Waters said.

Because UTA is partnered with the Federal Transit Administration, the analysis is required under federal regulations.

Waters said it isn’t certain if fare collection will begin in August or how much it would cost riders if that was to start. That information will be finalized once the analysis is complete next year.

UVX is heavily utilized by Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University faculty and students, Waters said. UVU and BYU faculty and students get UTA passes through the universities and that will remain no matter any changes that may occur, Waters said.

For members of the public who want to be proactive ahead of the public comment period, UTA welcomes comments through its customer service line or during UTA board meetings, which happen twice a month, Waters said. She added public hearings also will be held concerning potential fare and service changes.

The UVX bus currently services major points throughout Provo and Orem, such as UVU, University Place mall, downtown Provo and BYU.

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