High Valley Transit seeks input to name bus rapid transit system – Park Record

Report on High Valley Transit’s Sustainable Mobility Initiative

Project Overview and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

High Valley Transit has initiated a public engagement process to select a name for its new bus rapid transit (BRT) system. This project is a significant step towards developing sustainable urban infrastructure, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by providing accessible and sustainable transport systems.

Community Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement (SDG 17)

Public Naming and Selection Process

In a demonstration of partnership for the goals (SDG 17), High Valley Transit solicited name suggestions from the community, receiving over 300 submissions. A workshop involving staff and residents was held on October 20 to review the submissions and select four finalists. The selection criteria focused on names that reflect community character, recreational aspects, and the benefits of the sustainable transit line.

Finalist Names for the BRT System

The four finalist names selected for public voting are as follows:

1. Mountain Town Express

   • Shorthand: The Express
   • Code: MTX
   • Attributes: clear, utilitarian, and easy to “get”

2. The Pulse

   • Shorthand: Pulse
   • Code: TPX
   • Attributes: lively, dependable, and full of energy

3. Double Black

   • Shorthand: Double Black
   • Code: DBX
   • Attributes: iconic, striking, and memorable

4. The Bobsled

   • Shorthand: The Bob
   • Code: BSX
   • Attributes: fast, fun, and friendly

Voting Procedure and Project Timeline

Public Voting Period

Community members are invited to vote for their preferred name via an online survey available at HVTUtah.gov. The voting period commenced on Tuesday and will conclude on November 21.

Project Milestones

The selected name and corresponding logo are scheduled to be officially unveiled in early 2026. This will precede the commencement of the project’s construction phase.

Impact on Sustainable Development

Advancing SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The new BRT line is projected to provide fast, reliable, and sustainable transportation for an estimated 5,000 daily commuters between Kimball Junction and Old Town. This directly addresses SDG Target 11.2, which aims to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all.

Contribution to SDG 9 and SDG 13

By establishing modern and resilient infrastructure (SDG 9), the BRT system will offer a viable alternative to private vehicle use. This will contribute to climate action (SDG 13) by reducing traffic congestion and associated greenhouse gas emissions, thereby improving local air quality and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Official Statement on Community-Centric Infrastructure

Gabriel Shields, Chief Development Officer at High Valley Transit, emphasized the project’s community focus: “The new (bus rapid transit) line belongs to the community and will improve daily travel for thousands of travelers each day. We’re excited to partner with the community to create a clear identity that’s easy for residents and visitors to recognize.”

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • This goal is central to the article, which discusses the development of a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system. The project’s stated purpose is to “improve daily travel for thousands of travelers each day,” directly contributing to making the community’s transportation more sustainable and efficient. The initiative is a clear effort to enhance urban infrastructure for residents and visitors. Furthermore, the public’s involvement in the naming process (“High Valley Transit is inviting the public to help choose the name”) aligns with the goal of creating inclusive and participatory community planning.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • This goal is addressed through the development of new, sustainable infrastructure. The article focuses on the construction of a “new bus rapid transit line,” which is a form of “fast and reliable” infrastructure designed to support the community’s transportation needs. This project represents an investment in resilient and sustainable infrastructure to support economic activity and human well-being by providing efficient transportation for commuters.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
   • The article directly relates to this target by describing the creation of a new public transportation system. The BRT line is explicitly designed to “provide fast and reliable transportation” and improve daily travel, which is a key component of expanding public transport to create a more sustainable and accessible system for the community.
2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.
   • The new BRT line described in the article is a tangible example of developing “reliable” and “sustainable” infrastructure. Its goal of serving “5,000 commuters traveling between Kimball Junction to Old Town each day” demonstrates its role in supporting the daily activities and well-being of the population by providing a dependable mode of travel.
3. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory… human settlement planning and management.
   • The article highlights a participatory planning process. High Valley Transit actively involved the community in the project by soliciting name suggestions (“received over 300 name suggestions from community members”) and allowing the public to vote on the finalists. This process, where “staff and residents narrowed the list,” is a direct example of participatory management in urban development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Passenger Volume as an Indicator for Access to Transport (Target 11.2 & 9.1)
   • The article provides a specific, measurable indicator of the system’s intended reach and impact: its capacity to provide transportation to “5,000 commuters traveling between Kimball Junction to Old Town each day.” This figure can be used to measure passenger volume and track progress toward providing access to sustainable transport for the community.
2. Public Participation in Planning as an Indicator for Inclusivity (Target 11.3)
   • The article implies an indicator for participatory planning through its description of the naming process. The facts that “over 300 name suggestions” were received from the community and that the public is invited to vote via an “online survey” serve as qualitative and quantitative evidence of a direct public participation structure in the management of this urban project.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: parkrecord.com