METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Utah's S-Line streetcar ridership continues to rise

Ridership has gone up over the previous year for every single month the service has been in operation. Much of the increase in ridership is attributed to new development along the S-Line.

June 1, 2017
Utah's S-Line streetcar ridership continues to rise

Utah Transit Authority's S-Line streetcar. UTA

2 min to read


Utah Transit Authority's S-Line streetcar. UTA

Ridership numbers show that more and more passengers are hopping onboard Utah Transit Authority's S-Line streetcar each month.

Ridership has gone up over the previous year for every single month the S-Line has been in operation. In fact, it is up an average of 36% overall since it first began operation. This spans a period from January of 2014 to the end of 2016 (the only full years of ridership data available). Ridership on the line was up 15% in 2016 and is up 8% for just the first four months of this year, compared to the same time period last year.

Much of the increase in ridership is attributed to new development along the S-Line. Salt Lake City estimates that the S-Line will ultimately lead to more than 1,000 residential units and nearly 2 million square feet of redevelopment on seven sites (resulting in $405 million in private investment) in the Sugar House Business District. More than half of this new development activity is already complete.

The Downtown South Salt Lake District anticipates 2,500 housing units, 1 million square feet of retail, 3 million square feet of office space in the next 25 years. Entitlements are completed for two residential projects and a grocery store as the anchor to new development.

In 2016, the last full year of data available, the streetcar averaged 1,262 riders per day. If the steady increase in passengers continues, the S-Line streetcar will soon reach its projected ridership estimate that was submitted to the FTA as required.

In the Environmental Assessment of the S-Line presented to the FTA before the line was built, the streetcar line was projected to carry 2,000 riders per day by the year 2030.


More Rail

Passengers on a public transit vehicle.
Railby StaffApril 21, 2026

Virginia DRPT Releases Draft Six-Year Program for Transit, Rail Investments

The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.

Read More →
An Amtrak Acela train at New York Penn Station
Managementby StaffApril 21, 2026

USDOT Announces $6.7B for Northeast Corridor, Nationwide Rail Upgrades

Under Secretary Duffy, the grant program’s revamped criteria will prioritize safety; the American family; and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation, according to a press release.

Read More →
A picture of a San Diego MTS railcar and bus at a transit station.
Managementby StaffApril 17, 2026

San Diego Transit Agencies Propose Fare Hike to Close Budget Gaps

The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An overhead rendering of the Austin Transit Partnership rail system.
Railby StaffApril 16, 2026

Austin Transit Partnership Names Contractor for Light Rail Operations Facility

The ATP board’s approval of the KAP team enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities, including advancing design, initiating permitting, and preparing the site for future construction.

Read More →
A Coach USA Van Hool CX 45 delivered by ABC Companies.
Busby StaffApril 15, 2026

ABC Delivers Van Hools to Coach USA and More in Biz Briefs

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at the latest news from suppliers including Moovit, CAF, and more.

Read More →
A photo of an Amtrak train with a logo
Technologyby StaffApril 15, 2026

Amtrak Advances Plan for New Long-Distance Fleet

The railroad has issued a formal request for proposals to manufacturers for more than 800 new passenger railcars that will serve 14 long-distance routes nationwide.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A headshot of Inez Evans Benson
Busby Alex RomanApril 15, 2026

Inez Evans Benson on Rethinking Transit Through Customer Experience

The WSP leader discusses why agencies must look beyond satisfaction metrics and take a more holistic, community-driven approach to service.

Read More →
NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Technologyby StaffApril 14, 2026

Alstom Delivers First Multilevel III NJ TRANSIT Commuter Railcar

The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.

Read More →
A BART train on the tracks.
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

San Francisco's BART Breaks Multiple Records for Post-Pandemic Ridership in March

BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Ribbon cutting photo celebrating SEPTA's new Ardmore Station
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

Philadelphia's SEPTA Celebrates New Ardmore Station

The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.

Read More →