In May 2026, community leaders from Oklahoma City, Norman, and Edmond traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, for a three-day technical tour with the goal to experience a successful regional transit system firsthand and identify lessons that could help shape the future of mobility in Central Oklahoma. Hosted around the operations of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), the tour provided an opportunity to see how transit modes, including commuter rail, light rail, buses, streetcars, and paratransit, work together to connect communities, support economic development, and provide residents with better transportation choices. The experience reinforced an important reality: regional transit is about long-term investment in economic growth, community connectivity, and quality of life.
Seeing Seamless Connectivity in Action
The tour began the moment attendees landed at Salt Lake City International Airport. Rather than relying on cars or shuttles, participants boarded the TRAX Light Rail directly from the airport and traveled into Downtown Salt Lake City. This immediate connection demonstrated the powerful ability of regional transit to provide seamless mobility to visitors, residents, workers, and students alike.
For Central Oklahoma, this reinforces the importance of creating a transit network where various modes work together. Whether traveling between Oklahoma City, Norman and Edmond, connecting to employment centers, or accessing destinations such as airports, universities, and entertainment districts, a coordinated regional system can make transportation more convenient and accessible for everyone.
Transit as a Driver of Economic Development
One of the most impactful discussions occurred during a reception with Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and UTA Executive Director Jay Fox. City leaders shared how transit investments have helped shape growth throughout the Wasatch Front region. Increased mobility has supported new development, attracted investment, expanded housing opportunities, and strengthened connections between communities. Throughout the tour, participants repeatedly saw how transit infrastructure and economic development work hand in hand. Reliable transportation creates opportunities for businesses, residents, and visitors alike, helping communities remain competitive while supporting long-term growth.
Development Thrives Near Transit
A clear example of transit’s impact was seen in Farmington City, located approximately 20 miles north of Salt Lake City. After traveling via a seamless TRAX-to-FrontRunner connection, attendees toured residential and mixed-use developments located near transit infrastructure. These projects have generated economic returns for both the local community and the broader region while creating vibrant places where residents can live, work, shop, and gather. The visit highlighted a lesson that communities across the country are increasingly embracing transit to help shape development patterns that maximize investment and create opportunities for sustainable growth.
Building Regional Connections
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from the tour was seeing how multiple communities work together through a shared transportation vision. Salt Lake City’s transit network connects cities, employment centers, universities, recreational destinations, and neighborhoods across the region. The system serves as critical infrastructure that helps communities function as a connected economic region rather than isolated municipalities. This concept is particularly relevant for ONE Transit member cities. Oklahoma City, Norman, and Edmond already share strong economic, educational, and cultural ties. A regional transit system could strengthen those connections further by providing reliable transportation options.
Bringing Lessons Home
The final day of the tour focused on reflection and discussion. Participants shared insights, discussed opportunities, and explored how the lessons learned in Salt Lake City could inform future transit planning efforts in Central Oklahoma. While every region is unique, the experience reinforced several key themes:
- Transit-oriented development can generate long-term value for local communities.
- Regional transit creates stronger connections between communities.
- Transportation investments can support economic development and growth.
- Seamless connections between different transit modes improve mobility and accessibility.
- A shared regional vision helps communities work together toward common goals.
Looking Ahead
The Salt Lake City technical tour provided more than a glimpse into another city’s transit system. It showed what’s possible when a region commits to a long-term vision for connectivity, mobility and economic growth.
With thriving downtown districts, transit-oriented development, and seamless connections between communities, the Utah Transit Authority demonstrated how regional transit can become a catalyst for opportunity. As ONE Transit continues advancing a shared vision for Central Oklahoma, the lessons learned from UTA will help shape a system that connects people to jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment and each other.
By learning from communities that have successfully made that journey, we are better equipped to build a regional transportation network that supports growth, strengthens our economy and improves quality of life for generations to come.