Deseret News staff writer Zack Van Eyck recently toured light-rail operations in five western cities: San Diego; Los Angeles; San Jose, Calif.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Portland, Ore.
Comparison
Salt Lake City Sacramento
Population: 800,000 1 million
Name: TRAX None
Start-up: March, 2000 March, 1987
Length: 15 miles 18.6 miles
Ridership* 14,000-23,000 (projected) 28,100
Park-and-ride 2,000 spaces/6 lots 3,600 spaces (9 lots)
Fares: $1 $1.25
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Fare-box recovery**: 50% 39.4%
No. of cars: 23 36
Fatalities: Unknown 5
*daily one-way trips **percentage of overall operating costs covered by fares.