Effective July 1, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is operating under a new governance structure established by Senate Bill 197 (SB197), shifting oversight of the agency to a seven-member Transit Commission and a full-time executive director.

The legislation, passed during Utah's 2026 legislative session, replaces UTA's previous governance model of a full-time Board of Trustees and part-time Local Advisory Council. State leaders said the new structure is intended to strengthen accountability, better coordinate transportation investments, increase ridership, and support the agency's long-term growth.

The Transit Commission will serve as UTA's governing body, overseeing responsibilities including approval of the agency's annual budget, adoption of its Long-Range Transit Plan and fiduciary oversight of regional transit investments. Executive Director Jay Fox will continue leading UTA's daily operations, staff, and strategic direction.

SB197 sponsors, Sen. Wayne Harper and Rep. Kay Christofferson, said the legislation was informed by research into governance models at other major transit agencies and by stakeholder input. According to the sponsors, the changes are designed to improve how local governments and riders engage with UTA and to increase organizational efficiency.

"This will position UTA to move forward and better serve growing Wasatch Front communities,” Harper said. “Utah cannot build enough roads to meet its transportation needs. Transit must be reliable, timely, and responsive to every area UTA serves."

The commission's seven members are Mike Caldwell, Jeff Silvestrini and Muriel Xochimitl, nominated by local government councils and appointed by Gov. Spencer Cox; Chris Gamvroulas and Sheldon Killpack, appointed by the Senate president; and Beth Holbrook and Jeff Acerson, appointed by the speaker of the House.

Funding, Planning Shape UTA's Next Chapter

The legislation also establishes a dedicated state funding mechanism for transit. Beginning in fiscal year 2029, 5% of incremental state sales tax growth above a fiscal year 2028 baseline will be directed to the Transit Transportation Investment Fund (TTIF), which is dedicated exclusively to transit. State projections estimate TTIF revenues will grow from $109.2 million in FY2028 to nearly $200 million by FY2035 without increasing taxes or redirecting existing funding.

"I'm grateful to the state for its vote of confidence in UTA's continued success and its commitment to a dedicated funding vision," Fox said. "This begins an era of greater coordination and unity between transportation agencies and communities to prepare for Utah's future growth, founded on the daily commitment of our employees to continuously improving our service."

The new governance model is based on the framework used by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and is intended to better align UTA with the state's long-term transportation priorities, including planning for the 2034 Winter Olympics. During the commission's first year, UDOT's executive director will serve as a nonvoting, ex officio member to help coordinate statewide transportation planning during the transition.

Fox also recognized the contributions of UTA's outgoing Board of Trustees.

"The trustees' efforts have prepared UTA well to meet Utah's growth," Fox said. "Over their tenure, the board also navigated the agency through COVID-19 ridership recovery, the opening of new bus rapid transit lines, and sustained gains in public trust."

UTA noted its recognition as the American Public Transportation Association's 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation System as evidence of the agency's recent performance. The agency said day-to-day operations, including bus, TRAX, Streetcar, FrontRunner, Paratransit, UTA On Demand and Vanpool services, will continue without interruption under the new governance structure.