UTA foresees a 15% permanent ridership drop as its ‘new normal’ after COVID-19

After the COVID-19 pandemic ends and a “new normal” emerges, the Utah Transit Authority said Thursday that ridership and revenue from fares will be significantly smaller — down maybe 15% — and it may take the agency several years to work back even to that lower plateau.UTA Chief Financial Officer Bob Biles said ridership currently is about 70% below normal.He outlined projections to the State Bonding Commission on Thursday that show revenue from passenger fares is expecte