UTA set to remove fuel surcharge

SALT LAKE CITY — Diesel fuel prices have seen a dip in the last several months, which is why UTA is removing its fuel surcharge implemented the first of August.

By Nov. 1, all UTA customers will pay only the fees associated with buying passes to ride on TRAX, bus lines and commuter railways. A single pass will go without the 50 cent surcharge and the $8 added to monthly passes since Aug. 1, will also be dropped. Regular rates will apply.

It will complete the second time that UTA has had to impose the fuel surcharge, after average diesel fuel costs rose above $3 per gallon in the second quarter of this year, to $3.08, as reported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The average price of fuel for the third quarter was $2.98, below the $3 limit imposed in a policy adopted by the UTA board of trustees in May 2008 to protect the agency's budget and operations against volatile, unforeseen increases in fuel prices, according to spokesman Gerry Carpenter.

"The fuel surcharge is a way to protect UTA's budgets without implementing a permanent fare increase," said UTA General Manager Mike Allegra.

The first time UTA imposed the fine was in July 2008, in response to fuel charges that soared above $4 per gallon. In that case, a second surcharge was added when diesel fuel reached an average of $4.39 per gallon. Added charges were removed in April 2009, when fuel prices leveled out. UTA has not had to use the policy since then, until Aug. 1 of this year.

Carpenter said lower costs will provide relief to some of UTA's passengers, as they won't be asked to pay the additional costs.

For a complete list of fares or for more information, visit www.rideuta.com.

e-mail: wleonard@desnews.com