PROVO — The public will learn this week what modifications the Utah Transit Authority is recommending to a conceptual plan to change bus routes in Utah County.
In February UTA released a conceptual plan aimed at operating more efficient bus routes and increasing ridership which has been on a steady decline. The plan mainly consolidates the routes into the more heavily used areas of Provo and Orem and eliminates many of the residential routes outside of those cities.
At a series of public hearings, UTA officials heard concerns about how the changes would eliminate public transportation for the needy and for the disabled. A main concern is that eliminating bus routes might mean many disabled who are served by UTA's paratransit curb-to-curb service would be left without transportation.
Guidelines of the Americans With Disabilities Act require public transportation agencies to provide paratransit service to disabled who live within three-quarters of mile of a designated route. Cutting out routes would mean many disabled would no longer meet that requirement.
Recognizing this concern, UTA officials are considering not changing any paratransit service until the issue can be reviewed from a regional policy perspective.
From comments taken earlier from the public, UTA will hold hearings this week to present some changes to the conceptual plan and take additional comments. At each hearing, there will be a 20-minute briefing before the public can comment or ask questions of UTA staff.
A recommended plan will be presented to UTA board of directors in May. UTA wants to adopt a final Utah County transit improvement plan by August.
Hearings are scheduled for:
Tuesday: Utah Valley State College main ballroom, noon to 2 p.m.; Spanish Fork High School little theater, 7-9 p.m.
Wednesday: Provo City Hall council chambers, 7-9 p.m.
Thursday: American Fork City Hall council chambers, 7-9 p.m.
You can reach Jim Rayburn by e-mail at jimr@desnews.com.