By HOLLY COX
holly@newsroom.byu.edu
One of the first UTA TRAX trains departing from the Delta Center during Saturday's First Run Event experienced major technical difficulties on the return trip from Sandy.
The train, first in a series of free public runs, left the Delta Center station after a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30. Two previous trains offered shorter rides through downtown Salt Lake City for media and visiting dignitaries.
Problems arose when the first train to leave the Delta Center, filled to capacity, reached the southernmost station in Sandy. Passengers were told to de-board the train to allow the several hundred people gathered in Sandy to board the train back to Salt Lake. Most passengers, many of whom had waited at the Delta Center for over two hours for the trip, refused to depart.
After reversing direction, the train experienced a series of technical difficulties including failure of the brakes in the lead car, followed by a total power failure for the train.
Groans and incredulous laughter from the crowd marked the conductor's announcement that such extreme difficulties were uncommon. After a subsequent hours wait, several passengers demanded shuttle bus service, while others used cell phones to call family and friends for rides.
Problems were further complicated when air conditioning failed. Frustrated passengers used emergency latches to manually open doors in the stalled train, some propping open the doors for fresh air, while others stepped out of the train to smoke.
UTA officials made a tour of the three cars asking passengers to refrain from using emergency features, as they caused more problems. When tripped, emergency door releases freeze controls on the train for safety reasons.
Passengers inside the stalled car alternately sang Christmas songs, joked with each other, and complained about ruined schedules.
'It's a complete disaster,' exclaimed one passenger.
With several additional trains stopped behind the stalled train, service all but stopped on the 15 mile stretch of track between 10000 South in Sandy and the Delta Center. Eventually southbound trains were reversed to carry passengers back to the Delta Center.
Despite frustrations, many passengers considered TRAX a positive addition to Salt Lake. Eddie and Rose Whiting of Draper, Utah, came to the TRAX First Run Event at 9:30 to stand in line for a ride. Although the Whitings were caught on the stalled train, they still liked the idea of TRAX.
'I wish the TRAX would come down to 114000 South in Sandy,' said Mrs. Whiting, 'then I could walk to it from my house.'
One passenger on the stalled train had brought her three children with her to ride the TRAX.
'I'm not a commuter. I see no value in the TRAX,' she said, 'but there's a lot of other people that benefit from it.'
Despite the failure of the train, the First Run morning events seemed to be a success. Over a thousand people lined up in the cold morning hours to drink hot chocolate, wait for a ride on the new light rail, and listen to short speeches offered by state and federal government figures.
A host of dignitaries, including Governor Mike Leavitt, Senator Robert Bennett, Representative Merrill Cook, and Nuria Fernandez, Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, addressed the crowd.
Several of the speakers addressed the success of the TRAX project coming in under budget and being completed 12 months early.
John English, General Manager of the Utah Transit Authority emphasized the reason the TRAX was built.
'This system is about people, it's about our people,' said English, among cheers.
Mel Allred, a former trolley car driver and employee of UTA since 1942, drove the first light rail car at the event.
'I want to thank all you people that rode my street car fifty years ago,' said Allred, 'So let's all wish 'em luck, and let's get riding.'