Comment Period Authorized for Proposed Service Cuts
Pittsburgh, PA, July 23, 2010 – = Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board of Directors today = moved forward with a proposal to reduce transit service by 35 percent = and increase fares due to a statewide shortfall in transportation = revenue.The Board also authorized a public = hearing and 30-day comment period for the proposed fare and service = actions, which were introduced at the July 21 Planning & Development = Committee meeting.The proposed changes are intended to = help balance the Authority’s budget, which was adopted last month = with a $47.1 million revenue shortfall.The federal government’s decision = not to approve tolling on Interstate 80 has removed a cornerstone of the = state’s Act 44 transportation funding program. The impact is felt = statewide by road, bridge and public transportation systems.“The State Legislature took a = bold step in 2007 by creating a dedicated transportation funding source = in Act 44,” said Port Authority CEO Steve Bland. = “Unfortunately, the federal government denied the state’s = plan to toll Interstate 80, which has created this statewide shortfall. = Today, we’re left with little choice.”Port Authority’s Board of = Directors has sent a letter to Gov. Ed Rendell encouraging the state to = resubmit its application for tolling I-80. The Board believes I-80 = revenue would play an important part in a comprehensive transportation = package.Port Authority will hold a public = hearing on the proposed fare increases and service reductions Thursday, = Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center = in Downtown Pittsburgh. Individuals wishing to testify are encouraged to = pre-register by calling 412-566-5437 (TTY 412-231-7007).The public comment period will run from = Wednesday, July 28 through Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. Individuals and = organizations may submit comments via postal mail or the = Authority’s website, www.portauthority.org.The proposed fare changes would = increase the base fare for both Zones 1 and 2, the cost of passes and = tickets, and introduce premium pricing for light rail service and 13 = express bus routes.Service hours would be reduced by 35 = percent, cutting the number of routes from 129 to 85 and forcing the = closure of two bus divisions. At least 500 Authority jobs would be cut. = About ninety neighborhoods throughout Port Authority’s coverage = area would be left without any public transit service or see significant = service loss.The proposed fare increase would be = implemented on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, and service changes would take = effect on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011.“We understand the hardships that = will arise as we are forced to raise fares and make severe service cuts, = and we wish we could avoid such actions,” Bland said
