City offers rebates on bus passes

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

City bus pass holders will be able to apply for rebates for rides lost during the five-week bus strike, officials said yesterday.

The rebates will range from $1.08 to $36, depending on the type of pass, said Cheryl Soon, city director of transportation services.

"They're due to get it, and they are going to get it," she said.

Salt Lake resident Michael Ornelles acknowledged that the $1.08 he'd receive for lost use of his disability pass is small, but he would pursue it. "I paid for it, and we've got to do what we can," he said.

To get a rebate check, bus pass holders must submit a form to the Department of Transportation Services by Nov. 30. Forms are available at satellite city halls or TheBus office at 811 Middle St.

Except for annual and senior/disabled two-year passes, bus passes must be attached to the rebate request form.

Checks will be mailed, Soon said. The city doesn't know how many people will apply and cannot estimate how much it will pay out, she said.

Satellite City Halls and other retail establishments will begin selling monthly passes for October today at the higher rates set last week by the City Council.

A rebate will be applied to the purchase price for five free days of service the city is offering if bus service resumes as planned Monday. The new $40 adult monthly pass will cost $36 for October; the new monthly youth pass will be reduced to $18 for one month.

City officials said they had not decided whether current holders of two-year senior and disabled passes would be able to use them until they expire, or be required to use the new, more costly passes approved by the Council, said spokeswoman Carol Costa.

The city hopes to have a decision by Monday, she said.

Meanwhile, annual bus pass holders may use them until their expiration date, Soon said.