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The Utah Transit Authority is giving more specifics about how it plans to spend money from higher sales taxes if voters approve Proposition 1.

It posted maps on its website, rideuta.com, of bus routes that would receive expanded service, and also on Tuesday released a schedule of numerous open houses to discuss plans. It said it plans to use public feedback to possibly tweak proposals.

Meanwhile, supporters of Prop 1 on Tuesday released an iPhone app that allows users to explore maps, and click on streets or icons for specific information about bus service or road projects that could be enhanced with the extra tax money. It may be found on the Apple iTunes store by searching for Prop 1.

Utahns for Responsible Transportation Investment, a political issues committee which backs Prop 1, has also launched some cable TV ads, and plans more extensive ads on broadcast stations next week — plus ads coming on billboards, radio, and in newspapers and social media, said Abby Albrecht, director of the Utah Transportation Coalition. "We plan advertising of about every type you can imagine," she said.

Appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot in 17 counties, Prop 1 seeks to increase sales tax by a penny for every $4 in purchases. Forty percent of the money in Wasatch Front counties would go to UTA, 40 percent would go to cities for local transportation projects and 20 percent would go to counties.

UTA estimates the higher tax could increase its revenues by 13 percent, or $39 million a year. The agency says "it cannot and will not advocate" for passage of the tax increase, but is trying to give taxpayers an idea of how money would be spent.

In new online postings, UTA said it "has committed to use the funds to increase service, primarily bus service, including more frequency, longer service hours and more weekend service, as well as efforts to improve connections and amenities designed to improve the customer experience."

Maps now give some specifics, county by county, of where bus service would be more frequent or reach later into the night or weekends.

UTA estimates that its plans will increase transit ridership by 15 percent, remove 2.3 million car trips from the road each year, and offer improved service to 60 percent of minorities, low-income and zero-car households.

Interim UTA President and CEO Jerry Benson plans a Twitter chat about the plans on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. It can be joined by logging onto Twitter and sending comments to @RideUTA or using the hashtag #UTAservice.

The agency has also scheduled seven open houses so far to discuss plans, and said it expects to add more later.

The new Prop 1 smartphone app to show plans was developed by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff in cooperation with Utahns for Responsible Transportation Investments, a political issues committee (backed mostly by business groups) formed to finance a campaign for Prop 1.

Parsons Brinckerhoff, an engineering firm, has donated $55,000 to Utahns for Responsible Transportation Investment out of the $289,000 it has raised so far for that campaign, according to disclosures with the lieutenant governor's office. —

UTA open houses on Prop 1 plans

UTA has scheduled seven open houses about its plans for use of higher sales taxes if Proposition 1 passes. The agency said it expects to add more later.

Thursday • Ogden Transit Center, 2350 South Wall Avenue, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Sept. 29 • UTA Murray Central Station, 5144 South 140 West, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 30 • UTA Orem Station, 1350 West 900 South, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 • UTA Clearfield Station, 1250 South State Street, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Also at UTA Draper Station, 12997 South FrontRunner Blvd., 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 5 • West Valley Central Station, 2750 West 3590 South, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 • UTA Lehi Station, 3101 North Ashton Blvd., 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.