UTA proposes 3 years of fare increases - ksl.com

UTA proposes 3 years of fare increases

February 1st, 2011 @ 7:25pm

By ksl.com

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Transit Authority has proposed a gradual increase for bus and transit fares, to keep pace with inflation over the next three years.

The change, which UTA is calling "modest," would take place each spring for three years -- making what is now a $2 bus or TRAX fare a $2.50 adult regular ticket by 2013.

UTA fares would be among top in US

Public hearings

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 Blvd., 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.

KSL News compared UTA's fares with those of systems of similar size and found the increase would put fares here among the top in the nation.

A $2.50 fare price is on par with Sacramento and higher than a number of other systems, including those in Portland, Denver, San Jose, Las Vegas and Phoenix, according to the American Public Transportation Association and various transit websites.

"It is true that we're on the high end, but we're also providing a greater service value for the fare amount," UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said Tuesday. "Our trips are typically longer. Instead of just a few blocks, people are traveling sometimes 20 or 30 miles. And that's a lot of value for your dollar."

For rider Jimmy Cardenas, the proposed new fare is too steep.

"Two dollars and 50 cents -- it's quite a bit when you're looking at only two hours for your ticket to run," Cardenas said.

"Even if you had to pay $3 it would be worth it," said Ron Sowerwine, of Salt Lake City, who said he has traveled on systems elsewhere like Washington D.C. and Las Vegas. "The TRAX system is marvelous. The bus system, they seem to be very punctual. I'm impressed with it."

UTA explains need for fare increase

According to APTA, thanks to a drop in state and local tax revenues because of the recession, more than 80 percent of U.S. transit systems have had to raise fares or cut services since 2009.

UTA's spokesman said the agency has lost $40 million in tax revenues over the last two years -- losses requiring layoffs and other belt tightening. Carpenter said those revenue drops are only part of the reason for the hike.

"Part of it is just increased operating costs," Carpenter said. "Every year our costs are a little bit more. Fuel prices have been a lot higher on average now than they have been historically."

Carpenter noted inflation is also a factor and the agency is expanding service to South Jordan and West Valley City as part of an ambitious seven-year building program.

A series of hearings will be held throughout February to provide more information and gather public comment on the proposal. Comments on the issue will be accepted from Feb. 1 to March 3. If approved by the UTA board of trustees, the changes would go into effect May 1.

"Our goal is to keep our fares reasonable while still asking our riders to contribute a fair share toward increased costs of operation," UTA General Manager Michael Allegra said in a prepared statement.

UTA Horizon discount program to be expanded

Along with the proposed fare increase, he said UTA plans to expand the Horizon discount fare program to meet the needs of the large population of low-income individuals and families who use the service.

If approved, the discount would increase from the current 16 percent to 25 percent off a regular adult monthly pass. UTA is also working with communities to change eligibility requirements, making the discount more widely available and helping more people qualify.

Beginning May 1, the base fare would increase by 25 cents. Next year, another 10 cents would be tacked on and in 2013, the full fare is proposed to be $2.50 for adult service on the local bus service and TRAX lines.

If approved, monthly pass charges would increase 25 percent in the three years, increasing $16.75 by 2013. Student access passes would see a 26 percent increase, increasing $13 to $62.75 a month.

The agency is also looking to raise the baseline for its fuel surcharge program, which adds up to a dollar to regular fares when fuel costs rise above certain parameters. The fuel surcharge has only needed to be used three times since it was established in 2008, and is consequently removed when fuel prices drop.

Instead of the current $3 threshold, UTA is proposing that the fuel surcharge not be implemented unless costs rise above $4 per gallon. Raising the baseline, UTA says, will recalibrate the program to activate at a more appropriate level.

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Story compiled with contributions from John Daley and Wendy Leonard.