UTA reports ridership growth on S-Line streetcar

Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) S-Line streetcar ridership grew 8 percent in 2017's first quarter compared with the same period last year.

Additionally, ridership in 2016 was up 15 percent year over year, UTA officials said in a press release.

The S-Line logged ridership increases every month between January 2014 and December 2016.

UTA officials attributed the ridership increases to new development along the S-Line. The line ultimately will lead to the construction of more than 1,000 residential units and nearly 2 million square feet of redevelopment on seven sites in the Sugar House Business District, Salt Lake City leaders estimate.

"More than half of this new development activity is already complete," UTA officials said.

In 2016, the streetcar averaged 1,262 riders per day. If the steady increase in passengers continues, the S-Line soon will reach the projected ridership estimate submitted to the Federal Transit Administration, according to UTA.