Brittani Lusk

UTA price increases are hitting BYU students in the pocketbook.

UTA spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware said fuel surcharges have been added to each of UTA's fares effective July 1 because the UTA budgets couldn't handle the increasing gas prices.

"We always budget a little extra for gas every year, but nobody expected as dramatic an increase in fuel [prices] that has taken place over the past few months," Bohnsack-Ware said.

She said every 10-cent increase in gas prices costs UTA hundreds of thousands of dollars. Without a fuel surcharge and internal budget cuts, UTA would be $5 million over budget by the end of the year.

"That's money that we just don't have," Bohnsack-Ware said.

At BYU, a UTA Ed Pass purchased during Fall Semester 2008 for use all year will cost $120, up from $70 last year. The price will not change again this year even if UTA increases fuel surcharges. The Ed Pass is the equivalent of UTA's Premium Express Monthly Pass, which normally costs $160 per month. It includes regular and express buses, TRAX and FrontRunner.

BYU sophomore Andrew Henderson doesn't ride the bus much now that he has a car, but he is walking or longboarding anywhere he can -- even if it means leaving for class or work early.

"I've definitely started driving a lot less," Henderson said. "In the end it's worth it I think."

Last year Henderson used his $70 bus pass. He said the price increase wouldn't deter him from using the bus if he didn't have a car.

Bohnsack-Ware said UTA has renegotiated its contracts with each school it serves, including Utah Valley State College.

At UVSC, a bus pass is $5 for those who want it, and the price isn't going to go up. The difference is the student fees. BYU doesn't have any general student fees, so there is no way for the school to subsidize the bus pass.

Linda Makin, UVSC's director of budgets, said each UVSC student pays $6.88 each semester -- a dollar more than last year -- toward the UTA bus passes as part of the general student fees. Students who actually plan to ride the bus pay $5 so UVSC can keep track of how many students are using the pass.

BYU Student Life Vice President Jan Scharman said BYU's free-parking policy is not a trade off for a free bus pass. There has been only one year when bus passes were free at BYU, and they were subsidized by a federal grant. Parking is free at BYU to encourage students to park on campus rather than in the surrounding neighborhoods.

BYU spokesman Michael Smart said the university is encouraging its students to bike or walk to school, but has taken no specific steps to prod students.

• Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it