Bob Mickelson
FARMINGTON — Five different changes to the Farmington Master Transportation Plan were discussed with city residents Thursday night, but it was clear to members of the city’s planning commission, hearing organizers had saved the best for first. Attempts at accommodating Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system have proven problematic from the outset. But the preferred alternative introduced by Horrock’s Engineers that evening still left a lot to be desired by property owners along the proposed route.

According to Horrock’s Ron Mortimer, the preferred route remains 200 East north to State Street, west on State to the planned commuter rail station, with a route servicing Lagoon during its season. There would also be a station near Main and State Streets.

This option, however, does not include a designated lane, or lanes, for the BRT buses, which would, instead, run with existing traffic.

Criticism of the proposal was immediate and unrelenting.

Neal Wilcox, the first resident to come forward, said he was disappointed to learn “we have leaders who think this is a good idea.”

“We don’t need this thing,” continued Wilcox. “We have too many buses already. I watch them go by all day with only one or two people in them. We’re not an urban area. We’re a suburban area and we don’t need it. Just run a couple of mini-buses back and forth. That’s all we need.”

Despite statements the system would run within existing traffic lanes, Patricia Anderson said she was “not sure that Main won’t be widened” anyway.

Eugene Mann also noted the low ridership of the existing bus service. “This is just a waste of money,” he proclaimed.

The only individual to offer words of praise for the proposal was Lagoon Park engineer Dal Freeman. He felt BRT would provide a valuable service taking workers and guests from the new commuter rail station, on the west side of I-15, over to the park and back.

But Jim Barnett said he felt BRT would be effective only in larger metropolitan areas like Ogden and Salt Lake City.

“I’m not convinced any sort of bus will serve that purpose here,” he stated. “Light rail, though more expensive, might be better, but neither would be good to run through a residential area.”

Farmington City planner David Petersen explained that BRT was being considered for Davis County because UTA felt ridership in the area would not justify light rail. BRT, he asserted, had worked in similar situations around the country.

“As to why 200 East is the preferred route,” he noted, “UTA felt there was a need to deliver and pick up workers in Farmington’s downtown area.”

Mortimer added that 200 East would help maintain continuity with “what is going on south of the city.”

Members of the planning commission had questions as well. John Montgomery wondered about concerns BRT buses would further tie up traffic.

Mortimer explained that BRT vehicles run faster because they don’t stop as frequently.

Mortimer acknowledged there was a possibility that, if BRT proved successful, UTA might consider expanding it, even adding designated lanes. But since that would require buying property along 200 East, “the money would have to be there” to make it happen.

He also indicated that it was “feasible” to run a feeder from Farmington’s downtown area down to the frontage road — the preferred route of many area residents for BRT. He agreed to look into that possibility further.

Resident Arlow Wilcox challenged that, regardless of the route, people simply would not ride BRT. Hundreds of millions of dollars would be spent, he said, “just to get from Salt Lake to here.”

“Are not the words ‘bus’ and ‘rapid’ an oxymoron?” asked Paul Hayward, another resident. He also complained that BRT would not service the northern part of Farmington where he lives.

Commission members ended their comments with more requests for information. BRT, and all other proposed changes to the master transportation plan will next be discussed May 17 in a 6 p.m. public hearing before the city council.

Davis County Clipper