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The Utah Transit Authority proposed Monday to raise standard bus and train fares by 25 percent from $2 to $2.50 for adult fare over the next two years. The agency also proposes to raise other fares, including some for the poor and disabled that could jump up to 60 percent.
Riders unhappy with the proposed increases will have the chance to air their concerns in an upcoming series of public hearings.
Standard fares are already set to increase Tuesday from $2 to $2.25 in what is supposed to be a temporary surcharge to help cover high diesel prices. But UTA's proposal would make that increase permanent, as of May 5, if approved after public hearings.
UTA's proposal would then hike standard fares again on April 1, 2012, to $2.35. Another increase would kick in on April 1, 2013, to $2.50.
"Modest increases in our fares will allow UTA to keep pace with inflation, changing market conditions, and the budget challenges associated with a weak economy," said Michael Allegra, UTA general manager. "Our goal is to keep our fares reasonable while still asking our riders to contribute a fair share toward increased costs of operation."
But the proposed increases are too steep for those on fixed incomes and are part of a continuing trend of rate hikes, said James Jensen, executive director of TKJ, a company that provides services to people with disabilities who live in group homes.
"It will keep people imprisoned in their homes, and they will not be able to get out in the community," he said. "It really hurts folks on fixed incomes and the disabled."
The proposal, for example, would raise fares for paratransit for the disabled from a base of $2.50 per trip to $4 in 2013 a 60 percent increase. "The increase for the disabled is disproportionate," Jensen said.
Examples of other bumps include an adult monthly pass, proposed to increase from a base of $67 to $83.75 in 2013 a 25 percent increase.
Reduced single-ride fares for seniors and students would increase from a base of $1 to $1.25 in 2013, also a 25 percent increase.
To help the poor, UTA proposes to expand its Horizon discount fare program and said it intends to make it easier for the low-income to qualify. If approved, the discount amount would increase from the current 16 percent to 25 percent off a regular adult monthly pass.
"We are sensitive to the impact fare changes can have on low-income individuals and families," Allegra said. "This proposed change would not only increase the amount of the discount but help more people to qualify."
As part of the proposal, UTA would also rework its current fuel surcharge rules. Now, if diesel prices average more than $3 a gallon in a quarter, UTA temporarily hikes fees during the following quarter and rules had called for lowering them back whenever prices again average below $3 a gallon during a quarter.
Under new proposals, surcharges would be triggered when diesel reaches $4 a gallon, instead of $3.
The UTA said the fuel surcharge program was established in May 2008 to protect the agency's budget and operations against volatile, unforeseen fuel price hikes. Because of consistently high prices since then, UTA said raising its baseline will recalibrate the program to activate at a more appropriate level.
Schedules of public hearings and a full list of proposed rate changes are available at http://www.rideuta.com
Public hearings
UTA has scheduled public hearings on the proposed fare changes as follows:
Utah County • Feb. 15, 5:30 to 7 p.m., UCCU Center, Presidential South Suite, Utah Valley University, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem
Davis County • Feb. 16, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Farmington City Hall, 160 S. Main, Farmington
Salt Lake County • Feb. 17, 1 to 2:30 p.m., UTA offices, 669 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Weber County • Feb. 17, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Commission Chambers, Weber County Building, 2380 Washington Boulevard, Ogden
Tooele County • Feb. 22, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tooele County Courthouse, Auditorium, 47 S. Main, Tooele
Salt Lake County • Feb. 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m., UTA offices, 669 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Box Elder County • Feb. 24, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Brigham City Hall, Council Chambers, 20 N. Main, Brigham City
Online • Utah's Right
See what UTA executives make in salary at http://www.utahsright.com. Click the salaries option on the home page and enter Utah Transit Authority under the browse by agency menu.