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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Transit Authority board of trustees has approved changes to paratransit service that will eliminate discounts for riders.
The plan approved Wednesday also will phase out pickups to locations that are outside three-quarters of a mile of existing fixed-route and train services. But UTA is phasing in Flex buses, which deviate off main routes and pick up passengers for $1 extra.
UTA also will no longer offer a monthly unlimited paratransit pass for $84. It will sell 10- and 20-ride punch cards with no discount from the regular $2.50 per trip fare.
UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter says no fare increases are planned at this time.
UTA General Manager John Inglish has said the agency must reduce expenses because of lower tax revenues during the recession.
Paratransit costs $15 million a year.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
