From Deseret News archives:

UTA to raise most fares for bus, TRAX on May 1

Published: Thursday, March 24, 2005 9:18 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
With the exception of paratransit, fares for bus and light-rail will increase the first of May.

The Utah Transit Authority board of trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to raise rates for more than a dozen transit services — a move that came after delaying action during their January meeting.

The decision was a disappointment to a handful of advocates for the low-income and disabled, many whom arrived an hour before the meeting to protest in the rain outside UTA headquarters.

"They say they need the fares in order to make ends meet," said Elizabeth Matthews, an advocate with the Crossroads Urban Center. "We say UTA is mismanaged. If they reprioritized and really saw themselves as a public transit system, this wouldn't happen."

Before the meeting, the Crossroads Urban Center filed an open-records request with UTA, seeking information on salary and advertising budgets. The agency's top nine executives make over $100,000, according to the request.

John Inglish, UTA general manager, is paid in excess of $200,000. His counterpart at the Utah Department of Transportation, John Njord, is paid $112,000 a year.

"You have to wonder what the public good is here," said Matthews.

Story continues below
Inglish says he has no shame over his salary. What he is paid is "competitive and fair" when compared to other transit agencies, he said.

"I'm not going to be embarrassed by what this board of directors decides to pay me," he said. "I think it's outrageous what they pay state heads."

While sympathetic to the view of Matthews and other advocates, he said he had no choice but to recommend a fare increase. With rising fuel costs and projects like commuter-rail and light-rail extensions being planned, excess money is hard to find, Inglish said.

"We're raising fares now because costs are going up," he said. "It's either raise revenue or cut $1 million in services."

Even with the fare increases, UTA may look to cut some services in the future.

Ted Loosli, a paratransit rider from West Valley City, said he understands the increases. But it's costly to those who are disabled or on a fixed income, he said.

On May 1, the price of a one-way adult ticket will increase 5 cents to $1.40. In 2006, that price will increase another 10 cents to $1.60. One-way disabled or senior tickets will increase 10 cents in May, then another 5 cents in 2006.

The one-way fare for paratransit will increase five cents in 2006.

"I'm pleased they decided not to raise fares for paratransit riders this year," said Loosli. "But people who are on fixed incomes have less latitude, less choice."

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Deseret Morning News graphic

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

So are you saying that women's soccor should evolve into this type of...

The Church has never been about hating gays, or any other group. It has only...

Hatch empathizes with Muslims

To which I add Amen, and Amen! [Thank you!]

RSL in win-Windy City situation

this is going to so much fun? Gee who do i cheer for if REAL plays Galaxy? ...

Hall would rather take a hit

The great QBs make defenses pay for bringing pressure. Hall offers up...

I completely concur, this exhibition game was supposed to be easy and a blow...

Maybe we should just back up 50 years and do away with all laws etc. passed...

So does Hall enjoy absorbing the contact as Call says, or in Hall's own...

Well put, let it die. A lot people who want the health care bill haven't...

D-Will, Price sit out Jazz practice

If Jerry studies "game tape" he will see how to beat the Celtics, see Phoenix...

Advertisements
Advertisement