UTA executive John Inglish's salary is top among public transportation executives

SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to salary and incentives for its top executive, the Utah Transit Authority is miles ahead of sister public transportation organizations throughout the West.

Last year, UTA General Manager John Inglish earned $348,929 in salary, bonuses and transportation allowances.

That's more than public transportation executives in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver and Phoenix — all cities with larger populations, and in some places, millions more riders each year and more complex bus, train and van systems.

But don't judge too quickly, said UTA Board of Trustees chairman Larry Ellertson.

"We attempt to look at not any given single entity, but we look at a range" of factors, Ellertson said.

In addition to salaries of other public transportation executives, trustees consider salaries of executives of transportation companies.

"We have looked outside the public transit area, and used that information and attempted to position (Inglish's salary) in the mid-range," Ellertson said.

Another factor considered is construction, Ellertson said. UTA is in midst of a massive light and commuter rail expansion project, expected to add 70 miles of track by 2015. Inglish has been credited with securing millions in federal funding for the expansion.

Inglish is currently serving a one-year contract. Next week, trustees will vote on a proposal to promote him to chief executive officer, and on May 11, a bill officially becomes law that will allow Inglish to work in that capacity. The CEO will have a two-year contract, Ellertson said, but no pay raise is planned.

The promotion of Inglish irks some state legislators, environmentalists, and activists in the disabled-rights and Native American communities, who already believed he was overpaid.

For instance, the chief executive of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority earns almost $310,000 a year and receives no bonus. However, the Metro — the nation's third largest transportation agency — is not just a bus and train operation. The Metro is also a planning organization, estimating population and the layout of roads and public transit in the future, similar to what the Wasatch Front Regional Council does in northern Utah. The Metro partially funds bike paths, carpool lanes and provides broken-down vehicle assistance on LA County freeways, Metro spokesman Marc Littman said.