On Sunday, the OGX, as it’s nicknamed, will begin regular operations. The service will be free to the public for at least the next three years.

On Friday, however, members of the Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Transportation Commission and Utah Transit Authority had the opportunity to ride an OGX bus along the route.

James Larson, UTA spokesperson, told the Standard-Examiner that it’s a weekend to be proud of.

“It’s surreal, to say the least,” he said. “Twenty-something years later, we’re at a point where this idea is actually happening. It feels real and unreal at the same time that something like this is happening, but it’s just so exciting for UTA, Ogden City, Weber County, Weber State, McKay-Dee Hospital to have something that’s going to be such a huge resource and an asset for our community.”

Beth Holbrook, of the UTA board of trustees, said the new route provides several opportunities for the community.

“This is an opportunity to really connect the community in a new way,” she said. “There’s also options to increase the economic development adjacent to transit because things have shifted. The average rider age we have at UTA is 34 and under, and they’re living a different lifestyle than what we did in the past. They’re understanding that if they can have flexibility in their budgets, transit is part of that.”

Over the last month, a testing program has honed scheduling, trained drivers and worked out operational issues while the route was finalized.

According to Camille Glenn, regional general manager for UTA’s Mt. Ogden Service Unit, this testing and training program was a success, though there is one major test ahead in the coming weeks as people begin to utilize the service.

“All of our operators have been trained and given many opportunities to run through the route,” she said. “Those that are actually going to be working on the route are good to go. We’re very confident in our training program. As far as the testing on the schedules, I think when we actually start service and we have Weber State back in service, Ogden School District back in service, we’ll really have a better idea of how everything is running together.”

According to Larson, UTA will be celebrating the new service with a free event during next week’s Ogden farmer’s market.

“On Aug. 26, we’re going to have our big OGX Grand Experience over at Farmer’s Market Ogden,” he said. “We’ll be at the corner of 25th and Washington on the east side. We’re bringing an OGX bus and we’re doing a whole Willy Wonka theme.”

The event will include games, candy and several freebies. At the same time, UTA will be conducting all of its services systemwide fare-free for the whole day.

“It’s a fun opportunity for the community to just come celebrate with us Willy Wonka-style and just be able to enjoy themselves and celebrate this 20-years-in-the-making (addition) here in downtown Ogden,” he said.

Carlton Christensen, chair of the UTA board of trustees, also said he’s thankful for the community’s patience with the project.

“We know that no construction process is without pain,” he said. “We’re appreciative of all the neighbors that have worked with us for the completion of this and we hope they’ll come and enjoy the fruits of their patience.”