MAX has service improvements that differ from regular bus service, such as Transit Signal Priority, increased spacing between stops, high-frequency service, and improved stops. With few exceptions, a MAX line has limited stops. Whenever reasonably possible, MAX operates along "guideways". The guideways are more than just a bus lane, since all other traffic is prohibited from using the guideways, including other UTA buses. The first such guideway was built in West Valley City on 3500 South from 3600 West to 2700 West. Another characteristic that distinguishes MAX from regular bus service is that it does not have a set schedule for all of its stops. MAX leaves its first stop and travels as fast as legally and safely possible to the end of the line, never waiting or stopping at stations. The unique buses used on the MAX lines are also larger and feature wider isles and a distinctive exterior paint scheme. The first MAX line opened on July 14, 2008. Another feature of MAX is that passengers may enter the unique buses by any of the three doors and do not have to show proof of fare upon boarding. Although fare payment can be made at the farebox upon boarding the front of the MAX bus, each MAX station has a ticket vending machine that accepts cash or credit cards. However, fares are enforced through random checks by UTA Transit Police, the same way as they are on streetcars, TRAX, and the FrontRunner. The fare for MAX is the same as for local bus service or TRAX and, like TRAX and FrontRunner tickets, MAX tickets also serve as a transfer to other UTA modes of transit. MAX lines are designated by an "M" at the end of the route number. All of UTA's TRAX and FrontRunner trains and stations, streetcars and streetcar stops, and all fixed-route buses, are compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act and are therefore accessible to those with disabilities. However, ADA boarding on MAX's unique buses is at the center door, rather than the front. In accordance with the Utah Clean Air Act and UTA ordinance, "smoking is prohibited on UTA vehicles as well as UTA bus stops, TRAX stations, and FrontRunner stations".
The 3500 South MAX line connects Magna with the West Valley Central TRAX Station in West Valley City and the Millcreek TRAX station in South Salt Lake, traveling along a route of on 3500 and 3300 South. It is the first of several BRT lines that UTA is planning in the Salt Lake Valley and Utah County. Costs for the project totaled $7 million; a light rail extension along the same route would have cost $100 million. Original plans were to discontinue MAX service between the Millcreek and West Valley Central TRAX Stations once the West Valley extension of the TRAX Green Line was completed. However, even though the Green Line began service in August 2011, as of May 2014, service between the two TRAX stations still continues. The 3500 South MAX runs Monday through Saturday from about 6:00 am to midnight.
The Utah Valley Express line connects the Orem Intermodal Center with Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University, and the Provo Intermodal CenterFrontRunner station along a route of approximately. The initial route for the BRT line begins at the Orem Station and heads east on University Parkway to pass by the south side of the UVU campus. After passing along the south side of the University Mall, it will head southeast toward Provo and the junction of University Parkway and University Avenue. It will then connect with a stop on the southeast side of BYU campus by continuing east along University Parkway. It will then loop around the east side of BYU campus on North 900 East before returning to, and heading south along University Avenue. It will then stop at the Provo Station before passing by the Provo Towne Centre mall, making a loop through the East Bay Business Park, and finally retracing its route back to the Orem Intermodal Center. In Phase II, the west end of the BRT line will be rerouted directly east from the Orem Station along 800 South and connect with the UVU campus by way of a high-occupancy/toll interchange overpass. It will then pass by the north and east edges of UVU before reaching University Parkway and continuing along the remainder of its original route. Along with the reroute, the single MAX station on the south side of the UVU campus will be replaced by three new stations along the east and north sides of campus."
Future MAX lines
A MAX line are planned along 5600 West in Salt Lake County. Studies for the feasibility of BRT are also being conducted areas in the Taylorsville/Murray area and the Holladay/Cottonwood Heights area and other areas. BRT lines are also being considered for Davis County. and along 5400 South, 12600 South, Redwood Road, State Street, and Highland Drive. In the coming years a total of 80 miles of BRT lines are planned along the Wasatch Front. On July 8, 2014, Davis County unanimously approved a resolution in support of a BRT route connecting downtown Salt Lake City with Bountiful.
As part of the Mountain View Corridor Project a BRT line, the 5600 West MAX, will be built along 5600 West in Salt Lake County. This project has three phases. Phase I will include BRT service along 5600 West between 6200 South in Kearns and 2700 South in West Valley City. Upon reaching 2700 South it will then connect with Downtown Salt Lake City However, in Phase III it is anticipated that the entire 5600 West MAX will be replaced by a TRAX line along the same right of way.
The Murray Taylorsville MAX is a BRT project that is anticipated to connect the Murray City Center with the Murray Central Station and the main campus of Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville with nine stations along the way. The anticipated route will begin in the Murray City Center, north of the Intermountain Medical Center. It will then run west along Vine Street to Murray Boulevard, connecting with the Murray Central Station along the way. It will then head roughly northwest to 4500 South along the following streets: Murray Boulevard, Murray-Taylorsville Road, Sunstone Road, and Atherton Drive. Heading west along 4500 South, in dedicated lanes, it will then turn north along Redwood Road until in reaches the SLCC campus. The hope is, depending on funding, to have the Murray Taylorsville MAX completed by 2016.
Ogden/WSU BRT
The Ogden/WSU BRT is a BRT project that is anticipated to connect the Ogden Intermodal Transit Center with the Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital in southern Ogden. It will include of exclusive bus lanes and initially have thirteen stations, with three more potential stations. The anticipated route will begin in the Ogden Intermodal Transit Center in west-central Ogden. It will then run east on 23rd Street to Washington Boulevard before turning south along that street. It will then head east again on 25th Street to Harrison Boulevard and turn south again along that street. After passing the Ogden High School, beginning at about 31st Street, the route will transition to bus-only lanes in the center of the road. At about 37th Street, the route will shift east, off Harrison Boulevard and onto the main campus of WSU, and continue south, initially along Dixon Parkway. Near the roundabout with East 3850 South Street/University Circle, the route will shift farther east along new roadway to continue south, passing just west of exiting campus buildings. South of the residential buildingx, the route will continue on new busway to pass through an existing residential areauntil it reaches the existing parking lot for the Dee Events Center. After passing just west of the Events Center, the route will turn northeast and transition back to mixed-traffic to cross Harrison Boulevard and head easterly on Oakcrest Drive. Finally, the route will loop counterclockwise around the McKay-Dee Hospital parking lot, before returning along the same route to the Ogden Intermodal Transit Center. Depending on funding, the project is expected to be completed by summer of 2022.
