UTA paratransit fares likely to rise in 2010

The unlimited paratransit pass will likely be eliminated and paratransit fares will probably increase next year under a new proposal the Utah Transit Authority is considering.

"In all likelihood, given the economic climate, we are talking about fare increases in 2010," said UTA General Manager John Inglish on Wednesday. Fares will not spike up from the current $2.50 to $4 per one-way ride — one of the first proposals UTA considered as it has been looking to overhaul paratransit.

Sales taxes mostly fund UTA. But consumer spending is down, resulting in an $18 million budget shortfall. Paratranist costs UTA $15 million to operate a year and UTA does not get much in fares or government reimbursements to cover the expense. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, UTA buses are wheelchair accessible but the smaller paratransit buses can offer curbside service.

The proposal Inglish presented to the UTA Board of Trustees on Wednesday also announced new so-called "route deviation" in parts of Draper, Riverton and Tooele beginning in August, in which drivers may leave the regular route to pick up regular and paratransit customers at their doorsteps for an extra $1.

UTA may help organize a centralized dispatch center to coordinate transportation among UTA, senior centers, ability centers and other government and nonprofit organizations. For instance, if someone needs to go to the doctor, it may be cheaper to arrange for an unused vehicle at a senior center than a paratransit vehicle.

Inglish also proposes working with the state on an additional $250,000 to $500,000 in Medicaid reimbursement funding.

Reactions to the proposal among the disabled community were mixed.

Barbara Toomer, secretary of the Disabled Rights Action Committee, is thrilled about the deviated routes. But cancellation of unlimited monthly paratransit passes will hurt people who use them to get to work. If they have to pay $2.50 twice a day, five days a week, they'll end up shelling out $100 a month, more than the current pass cost of $84. And that doesn't include weekend errands to the grocery store.

"We do need food," Toomer said. "And if you want to go to church on Sunday, you're going to have to get there somehow. It's going to adversely impact some people."

Logistically, UTA may not be able to coordinate with the 60 agencies and nonprofits that may have vehicles available for transport, said Andrew Riggle, public policy advocate for the Disability Law Center. Each program has different requirements for eligibility. A program for blind people may not be allowed to transport people who can see but are developmentally disabled, for instance.

"When you see (UTA's proposal) in the written form, it looks like a nightmare," he said. "But I'm hopeful."

Details of the proposal are on UTA's Web page at www.rideuta.com.

e-mail: lhancock@desnews.com

TWITTER: laurahancock