"If we were to base salary on their performance only and not look at market conditions and not look at other kinds of things, they would deserve a higher salary than what they are getting," Colby said. "I don't think anyone in the transit industry garners as much federal funding on a comparable basis as what John and his staff are able to do."

The UTA board determined salaries for Inglish and Pett. Inglish sets the salaries for his employees.

William Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), said Inglish and UTA are known nationally as industry leaders.

"Whatever you're paying John Inglish, you're getting a bargain," he said. "Whatever you're paying, if you double that, you're getting a good bargain. He's a first-class manager, an innovator, a guy who has an extensive national reputation. Frankly, he's a guy if you didn't pay him right could be gone tomorrow and land in another city or in the private sector making this much money and far more."

Inglish's salary exceeds the compensation of top transit executives in Dallas and Denver, areas with comparable services: bus, light rail, paratransit. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) also has a commuter-rail line.

Gary Thomas, DART president/executive director, has a base salary of $182,000, including annual bonus. Cal Marsella, general manager of the Denver Regional Transportation District, has a base salary of $205,000.

Inglish has been with UTA far longer than Marsella or Thomas with their respective companies.

"If we don't hire good people, we don't get a good product out of them," said Colby. "In my personal opinion, I don't believe those who have social needs have ever had it as good, as easy, as accommodating, or as inexpensive when you compare incomes to fares as we do currently."

Matthews with the Crossroads Urban Center isn't convinced.

"We look at the income of people we're working with, which is below poverty level, and they're breaking their backs to try and find a job," she said.

The Crossroads Urban Center assists the low-income or disabled. Each Monday and Wednesday, the center supplies 50 free transit tokens to those on fixed incomes looking for jobs.

The number of tokens given may have to be cut with the fare increases, said Matthews. "It just doesn't seem fair. It isn't fair, and I think John Inglish gets undue praise," she said.

Within the coming months, the UTA board and management will meet with advocates like Matthews to discuss ways to better service the low-income.

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Contributing: Zack Van Eyck

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com