Show I UTA trans Flex-trans offers mobility I Vicki McPhail Staff Writer trans Flex-trans the Utah Transit Authority UTA bus system for the handicapped is not for the blind According According According Accord Accord- ing to Kathy McCune Special Special Special cial Services Coordinator for UTA trans flex-trans is for people who are physically unable to board a regular bus Federal regulations require require require re re- re- re quire public transportation systems that are recipients of federal funds to make accommodations accommodations accommodations ac ac- ac- ac for wheel wheelchair wheelchair wheelchair chair bound people Sixteen percent of UTA's funding comes from the federal budget Since not all of UTA's buses are equipped with ith wheel chair lifts UTA has chosen to supplement their service with the flex- flex trans system Fifteen trans flex-trans buses valued at each began operation on July 5 Each bus has a holding capacity of seven wheelchairs wheelchairs wheelchairs wheel wheel- chairs and six seated pas pas- McCune said since the federal government fund funded d 80 percent of the purchase cost of the buses and the buses are expected to 10 last 12 k I. years UTA feels it was a good investment McCune said that when the service began blind and mentally retarded people were also using it But demand for the service has become so great that usage by people with other handicaps handicaps handicaps hand hand- has forced UTA to turn turndown turndown turndown down the wheelchair bound passengers the system was mandated to serve In Salt Lake County 15 trans flex-trans vehicles are serving serving serving ing registered clients Making a total of to trips daily Some users subscribe to the service for consistent same time each day usage Others call ahead and schedule ups pick-ups on a one onetime onetime onetime time only basis McCune also stated that trans flex-trans is accommodating some blind people with unusual unusual unusual un un- usual circumstances such as those with late night classes that end after regular UTA service Theres such a need for this kind of service said McCune People are very appreciative appreciative appreciative ap ap- ap- ap of the service but butare butare butare are frustrated when they are not able to schedule pickups pickups pickups pick pick- ups because of a l lack ck of 2 space ace |