Utah lawmaker proposes free transit for cleaner air

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Rep. Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, asked the state’s Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Committee for $9 million for an experiment testing how free fares would increase ridership and help clean air pollution during January and July, two of the most challenging months for air quality. Utah Transit Authority’s fare box revenues average or $4.5 million a month, so funding two months of fares would cost $9 million.

If transit ridership doubled, it would decrease particulate pollution from vehicles by 2.2% and overall pollution by 1.1%, Briscoe told the paper. For the full story, click here.