Proposed bill would make public transit free in Utah

The Utah legislature will soon consider a proposal to make public transit free in the state.

H.B 164 sponsored by Rep. Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, would prohibit "large public transit districts," including the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) from charging a fare.

"Free fare UTA would help with two of our deficits - opportunity and mobility. They go together in a positive way: people with greater mobility have more opportunities to work and live. Also cleans the air," Briscoe posted to Twitter.

According to UTA, approximately 15% of the service's budget comes from fares, and the remainder comes from sales tax revenue.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/proposed-bill-would-make-public-transit-free-in-utah/ar-AASSwrO