UTA Adds Rate Hike to Proposed Changes

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Utah Transit Authority is proposing to increase bus and TRAX fares by 50 cents over the next two years. That news comes on the heels of the largest proposed change to bus routes in UTA history.

Spokesman Justin Jones says the changes are intended to make the system more efficient, "in addition to the fact that our operating costs go up every year and we want to make small adjustments rather than waiting three years to make a huge leap."

Jones says UTA needs to raise bus and TRAX rates so they are consistent with the new commuter rail, which will be ready for riders in 2008. UTA proposes to charge commuter rail passengers $2.50 for a ride from one city to the next and an additional 50 cents for additional cities, up to a maximum of $5.50.

Jones says the fare hikes are not to be confused with the recent sales tax increase voters approved in Salt Lake and Utah Counties to fund transit:

"The vote for that did not cover any expenses to operate the system, it was simply to build light rail and commuter rail projects," says Jones. "And it means we can build those projects 15 years ahead of schedule."

UTA has scheduled a series of public hearings on the rate increases beginning March 27th in Box Elder County.

Click here to see the full schedule of public meetings on the rate increase proposal.

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