UTA Fuel Surcharge Unanimously Approved

May 29, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) A controversial fuel surcharge garnered unanimous support Wednesday from the Utah Transit Authority's Board of Trustees. UTA Trustee Michelle Bagley says it's a painful decision to vote in favor of the surcharge despite advocates warning it will unfairly impact low-income and disabled transit riders.

"I think that this agency has tried a number of different ways to make things work," Bagley says. "And although this is a very, very tough decision - one that hurts my heart - I will support it because I think it is the best thing for the agency and will provide continued service for our riders."

The surcharge will go into effect July 1. It will add 25 cents to regular bus fares and 50-cents to TRAX tickets. The surcharge could increase another 25 cents if diesel prices exceed $4-per gallon. The surcharge is intended to offset this year's unexpected 25 percent jump in diesel fuel prices, which would put the company $5 million in the hole by the end of the year. Internal measures to trim the transit budget saved the agency $2.7 million. UTA Trustees were faced with a choice to either cut services or approve the surcharge to make up the difference. While UTA says the surcharge will be waved for some low-income riders, disabled rights advocate Jerry Costley says the waver won't protect many of the people who depend on public transit.

"Again, we're not talking about taking the bus to go to the movies," Costley says. "We're talking about the bus to get groceries. We're talking about the bus for medical needs. We're talking about taking the bus to keep up basic relationships. And finally for people who are trying to work their way out of poverty, we are talking about taking the bus to try to get to a job."

Costley and others want the UTA to do something to offset the increased cost of riding regional transit for low-income residents. One suggestion is gaining traction with the board. The idea: increase UTA bus and TRAX ridership to insulate the agency from future fuel price increases.

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