• Saturday FrontRunner service could be eliminated, as well as weekend evening runs after 7 p.m.

• Express bus service (routes 472/473), with about 57 one-way trips between Salt Lake and Ogden each day, could be eliminated.

• All other local bus service in the two counties could be reduced by 5 percent. That, for example, would cut out four or more trips a day off route 470, which makes about 86 trips each weekday between Salt Lake and Ogden.

• Another $300,000 in paratransit cuts could also be required.

County commissioners are not happy about the delay in hearing about this issue.

UTA knew about the coming shortfall from the two counties last February, but county commissioners weren't informed of it until September. Both sides spoke of working toward better communication in the future.

One other downside to the $3.8 million revenue loss is its possible detriment to UTA's bonding ability. A worse bond rate could mean fewer future UTA projects and more expensive ones.

What could change

Davis and Weber counties currently face cuts of at least $800,000 in transit service next year. But the two counties could have to swallow as much as $3.8 million in cuts if they fail to pass a tax increase before the third quarter of this fiscal year to compensate for a reduction in the sales tax on food. Potential cuts could include:

$2 million. Reduced commuter rail service eliminating Saturday service and also on weekdays after 7 p.m.

$1.5 million. Fewer express bus and local routes.

$300,000. Cutbacks to paratransit service.

Source: UTA

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com