MAX

The UTA's first bus rapid transit (BRT) line, which are all referred to as MAX, runs along 3500 South in Salt Lake County, running from Magna through West Valley City to the Millcreek TRAX station. MAX has service improvements that differ from regular bus service, such as signal priority, increased spacing between stops, high frequency service, special buses with 3 doors, unique bus shelters, and ticket vending machines. Whenever reasonably possible, MAX operates along "guideways" (dedicated lanes separated from regular traffic by curbs). 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. For most sections of a MAX line, it has limited stops. Another characteristic that distinguishes MAX from regular bus service is that it does not have a set schedule for all of its stops (although there are estimated times for arrival). 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 (except to drop off or pick up passengers).

The unique buses used on the MAX lines are also larger (wider and longer) and feature wider isles and a distinctive exterior paint scheme (which includes a large white "X" on each side of the bus). 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 (including the use bus tokens) 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.