Few attend UTA hearings on fare hikes

The first of two Salt Lake County public hearings on the Utah Transit Authority's proposed fare increases attracted only 15 people at UTA's Meadowbrook offices Wednesday afternoon.

Only three of the attendees spoke, and one of them simply asked a question.

A public hearing held Tuesday night in Provo drew a slightly larger crowd, but only four people made comments.

UTA officials weren't sure quite how to interpret the low turnout — whether it means the public understands UTA's rationale for the proposed increases and accepts the idea; whether the public feels powerless to affect the transit agency's ultimate decision; whether people were not aware of the public hearings; or whether people are instead choosing to make remarks on UTA's Web site (www.rideuta.com, click on "fare increase") or comment phone line (287-2214).

"We've followed the same (advertising) process for this meeting as we do for other meetings," UTA spokesman Justin Jones said. "We've had quite a few comments on the Web site. We are looking for more feedback."

UTA has proposed a 5-cent increase in the adult, one-way bus and light-rail fare — from $1.35 to $1.40 — beginning as soon as April 1. It also wants to increase that fare another dime — to $1.50 — by January 2006.

Also proposed are more than a dozen other fare increases. The senior and disabled one-way fare would climb from 60 cents to 70 cents this year, then up to 75 cents in 2006. The one-way paratransit fare would increase from $2 to $2.10, then up to $2.25 next year.

UTA officials say the fare hike is needed because of an increase in operating costs, particularly fuel. If fares are not increased, the agency could be forced to reduce some of its services.

UTA also is requesting comment on the possibility of discontinuing service to paratransit passengers who live more than three-fourths of a mile from a transit route. Federal law only requires UTA to serve passengers within that parameter.

And while discontinuing such service is not formally proposed at this time, it was the reason why West Jordan resident Sarah Lohmeyer attended Wednesday's hearing.

Lohmeyer and her two siblings are wheelchair-bound, and they have recently decided to move to a new home that is not far from their existing house — but is more than three-fourths of a mile from a UTA stop. If UTA refused to send paratransit to her home, Lohmeyer said her quality of life would greatly diminish.