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Passengers embark and disembark at FrontRunner train at Provo Station on Friday, July 12, 2013.

Daily Herald file photo

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This map outlines proposed FrontRunner stations in Springville, Spanish Fork and Payson. The Utah Transit Authority is looking to expand train service south of Provo.

Courtesy Utah Transit Authority

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Expanded options for public transit may be in the future for citizens in the southern portion of Utah County.

The Utah Transit Authority wants to extend its FrontRunner service beyond Provo, with proposed stations in Springville, Spanish Fork and Payson, primarily along property UTA already owns, according to the agency’s website.

The latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show Utah County with the most growth in the state, adding over 16,000 new residents between July 2022 and July 2023, bringing the population to 719,174 citizens.

While most of the growth appears to be focused in the northern part of the county, cities like Spanish Fork, Santaquin and Payson also are seeing an uptick in new residents.

“As the area continues to grow, the need for additional transportation options is going to grow as well. And so the FrontRunner will definitely help on the side of that,” said Janelle Robertson, UTA’s FrontRunner south extension project manager.

The expansion plan is consistent with data compiled in UTA’s South Valley Transit Study, completed in 2022. The findings identified the FrontRunner extension as the locally preferred alternative to offer additional service to public transit users in the south end of Utah County.

On Wednesday, UTA held its third and final public information meeting at the Springville Civic Center for citizens to learn more about plans for extending the train service and to voice their opinions.

“I think the biggest thing for me is that it will connect us better with the rest of Utah County, the rest of the state of Utah,” said Springville resident Chantel Daines, who attended the meeting.

Currently, FrontRunner commutes 89 miles from Ogden to Provo, where the rail line ends.

“I think the train is a great way to get to Salt Lake,” Daines told the Daily Herald.

She said she uses public transportation and thinks having access to the FrontRunner will be an added benefit for fellow locals who commute by public transit. “Right now, the bus system in Springville is really bad. And so if you don’t have a car and you live in Springville, it’s really hard to get to the places you need to,” she said.

On the other hand, BrynLee Pickering raised concerns about the potential influx of people from outside Springville using the FrontRunner. “I’m for it if the location is moved (and) against it if it’s where they are proposing it to go,” she told the Daily Herald.

Pickering said she lives about a mile from where UTA is thinking of building the Springville FrontRunner station, which would include hundreds of parking stalls, a park and ride area, electric vehicle charging stations and other amenities. She fears it will lead to more traffic in the area.

“(It’s) already so congested. There’s a lot of new builds by our side of the area; that’s just filling up on the south side of Springville. So I think the northern part of Springville would be better,” Pickering said.

Previous public information meetings were held in Provo and Spanish Fork.

UTA will use information collected from the public thus far and conduct an environmental study, then create a preliminary design for the proposed commuter rail extension.

Currently, there is no funding or timeline for final design and construction, UTA’s website states.

Robertson said UTA is exploring the project’s eligibility for a Federal Transit Administration grant. “Nonetheless, even if it is eligible for a federal grant, we will need to supply at least 50% of the funding for the project locally,” she explained.

To keep tabs on FrontRunner South Valley expansion plan, the public can sign up for updates on UTA’s website.