Comments about ‘ UTA receives $428 million in federal money for Mid-Jordan TRAX line’

Doesn't 10% of this money go towards executive bonuses and perks?

December 2011 can't come soon enough.

Probably not, Homer.

But I'm guessing you are cool with your bonus, but not cool with other people getting bonuses. Just like 100% of people who complain about OTHER people getting bonuses.

How about taking away the fuel surcharge that we still have to pay to ride UTA - even TRAX. A monthly pass costs $74.50 with $16.00 of it going toward a fuel surcharge.

Good thing in these tough times that they flew that lady out to sign a paper. Nice.

It's a good thing for Utah to have the acting FTA administrator come to Utah. Signing the paper is not the only thing she will do here on her visit. Having high level FTA officials see first hand what UTA is doing, how past Federal funds have been used and how successful the current TRAX lines are greatly helps in securing more Federal funds for future lines.

The UTA fuel surcharge is based on a quarterly average, and is adjusted 4 times each year - with the next adjustment scheduled for April.

So the fares will be reduced in April - even if gas prices skyrocket again.

As for gas prices - don't get used to them being low. We could easily be at $4 or $5 or more per gallon by summer.

With the amount of money you make on your payroll. Why don't you donate 90% of your income to Trax. You don't deserve the kind of pay! I have the disability and you took away from my paratransit program. Why - because of ADA law.

And it's a horrible boondoggle at taxpayer expense. If it were really a good idea the riders would have no problem paying for it.

I doubt fuel prices will be $4 or $5 a gallon by summer, but if they are people will just quit driving and buying so if it is to be bring it on. My advice to people now is to completely restrict their spending and only spend for the necessities and basics. These greedy crooks in big business and the financial markets are ours for the taking now, so lets stick it to them. We will survive, just live within your meager means because it is hurting them right now worse than us. When this country starts prosecuting these thieves and liars then we will start spending again within our means. Just stick to it people, we have the hammer now, and can stick the knife back in the ones that caused this mess. Where did this trax money come from a money tree?

Ahhh, more federal money to build something nobody wants, now everyone will be happy. And because these kinds of welfare projects are never self-sustaining, everyone is forced to pay a tax to support this thing; whether they want it or not, whether they ever ride it or not, or whether it makes any sense or not.

Gotta love the UTA apologist out there. I was wrong. They won't use the money for their bonus. They will use it to raise their salaries even more. John Inglish deserves to be the highest paid transit director in the country. I mean he does so much more than the directors in NYC, LA, and San Francisco.

Homer - you have to look at the whole picture. Yes, I agree that John Inglish's compensation is high - but what does UTA get from him.

Compare UTA to other transit agencies around the country. UTA gets more Federal money than other agencies of its size in the country. This is in large part due to Mr. Inglish's manangment, his work with the FTA and other Federal officials, etc.

UTA is regularly recognized as one of the best Public Transit Agencies in the country, and has a reputation for getting projects done ahead of schedule and under budget. Other transit agencies squander millions, and even billions on project cost over-runs, delays and other issues that could be corrected by better management.

Mr. English's management actually benefits Utahns greatly. In the private sector, this type of performance would likewise be recognized in a person's compensation.

Building something nobody wants? Have you talked to those who ride TRAX regularly? Have you talked to residents in South Jordan and West Jordan who say the line cannot open soon enough?

When the line opens, it will be clear that many people not only want it, but are excited that the line is finally being built.

If you want to talk about a money pit, think about our roads and highways. We'll spend billions on a highway rebuild, but balk at building a rail line that costs several hundred million dollars and that has a higher capacity than the highway. And after being built, the cost of maintaining the highway is higher than that of maintaining the rail line. The rail line does have operational costs (i.e. paying its operators) but also recovers money through fares.

This could end up like the BART system in the bay area of California.
That is the longest running WPA project around, cost has exceeded it's estimates twenty fold, 3 billion to 60 billion, still not completed after 34 years and is held hostage by the people who run it.
Wow! just what the doctor ordered for Utah.