This month the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) launches a nine-month study of its current bus service in the Salt Lake Valley, to determine its effectiveness and improve overall bus service. "By taking an in-depth look at today's ridership patterns, we will be able to change our service in a way that meets the changing needs of our growing communities, thus enhancing the transit experience for our riders," said Dave Huber, regional general manager of UTA's Salt Lake bus division. During the study, UTA will look for specific ways to improve the current bus system that are consistent with UTA's, 165-route, 1,400-square-mile transportation network, as well as look for ideas on developing long-term increases in service from new sales tax funding. The study will also provide recommendations on the redeployment of existing, unproductive routes. In addition, UTA will use the study to examine how the fixed route bus system can better interface with the TRAX light rail system and to evaluate the ease of changing buses at major transfer points.