UTA aims to raise paratransit rates, cut service; riders gird for battle

Faced with decreased sales tax revenues for operations, the Utah Transit Authority on Monday announced a proposal to increase fares for paratransit service and to discontinue serving paratransit riders who dont live within three-quarters of a mile of a regular bus or rail route.

"Because of budget challenges we face right now this becomes urgent," UTA general manager John Inglish said at a news conference about the proposed service changes.

If the proposal is implemented, UTA's paratransit service would narrow in scope to meet the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Alison Smith, an advocate with the Disability Law Center. The current paratransit service extends beyond the minimums, with benefits members of the disabled community believe are necessary for their mobility. The disabled community is not happy about the proposal and plans to fight it.

"I realize they have a problem," said Barbara Toomer, secretary of the Disabled Rights Action Committee, about UTA's financial crunch. "But they must realize we have problems, too."

UTA's proposal calls for an increase in a one-way paratransit ride to $4. In recent months, UTA's 481,085 riders who qualify for all or some paratransit service — people with physical, cognitive or visual disabilities — have paid $2.75 for a one-way ride. That will drop to $2.50 on Wednesday when a fuel surcharge is eliminated, Inglish said.

UTA is also considering ending discounts that riders receive for monthly paratransit passes ($84), a 10-trip coupon book ($22) and a 30 trip book ($54).

Under the Monday proposal, UTA will only offer curbside service for riders who need pickup within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed bus route that runs all day or a rail or bus rapid transit station. Riders with homes and destinations outside three-quarters of a mile must get themselves to a point that's three-quarters of a mile away or less.

About 250 people currently receive curbside service although they live outside of the three-quarters of a mile service area because they were grandfathered in, Inglish said. In recent years, UTA has been denying pickups outside the limit.

In the disabled community, there is concern that paratransit riders will be in danger from severe heat or cold if they are forced to travel alone to get to an area within three-quarters of a mile of service.

Herriman resident Carol Johanson, who cares for her 33-year-old son, Brian, who has brain damage, says he will be inconvenienced if he's not able to get to his job by paratransit.