On March 1, Salt Lake City, in collaboration with Utah Transit Authority, started issuing a $30 monthly transit pass called the Hive Pass.
The pass is designed to encourage residents to take advantage of public transportation and to help combat air pollution as a part of the Clean Air initiative. This pass is currently available only to Salt Lake City residents, although, if the program increases in popularity, it may extend to other cities in the area.
“This is a great effort to improve the air quality in Salt Lake City,” says Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune. “This is a first of its kind in the country. Every citizen in Salt lake City will have access to the program.”
Good for all bus, Trax, Sugarhouse Trolley and FrontRunner fares, this pass is offered as a one-time payment of $360.
Currently, a monthly regular pass runs at $83.75, while a pass for students costs $62.77. There is no limit to how many members of a household may purchase a pass, though proof of Salt Lake City residency is required.
The new Hive Pass works in the same way as the Eco pass, which is used by large businesses and the University of Utah. UTA will be covering the $60 retail cost, though the other $30 will be charged directly to a person’s water bill. Those without a water bill will pay on a month to month basis.
In order to break even, UTA and the city must sell a minimum of 6,000 passes. This program is estimated to cost the city a total of $150,000.
