Port Authority of Allegheny County could lose up to $30 million in state and local funding in its current fiscal year under an Allegheny County Council proposal introduced yesterday.
The Council proposal initially would cut Allegheny County's annual $27.7 million appropriation to Port Authority by $5 million this year. Because this is matching funding (mandated by the State) our State funding also would be reduced. We've had initial discussions with PennDOT and initial estimates show the State reduction would fall between $22 million and $25 million.
Port Authority riders are already facing a 15-percent service reduction due to a $35 million State shortfall created by the failed plan to toll Interstate 80. County Council's proposal, if approved, would force Port Authority to reduce more service than the 15-percent reduction that will occur on March 27.
Based on initial estimates, the Authority may have to cut about 20 percent of its existing service if the proposed funding reduction moves forward -- in addition to the 15 percent already planned.
The Council proposal also could force another fare increase by the end of the year.
"The County Council proposal only leads to cutting more transit service and ultimately hurting riders and commuters," said Port Authority CEO Steve Bland. "Riders have been hurt enough. We need to work together to resolve the transportation funding issue."
Port Authority wishes to continue seeking a long-term solution for transportation funding with local and State leaders.
"This is a frustrating time for those of us who care about protecting public assets such as our mass transit system, and we hope that ultimately this raises a greater awareness of the bigger issues involved," Bland said.
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"This is a frustrating time for those of us who care about protecting public assets such as our mass transit system, and we hope that ultimately this raises a greater awareness of the bigger issues involved," Bland said
ReplyDeleteThis can't be right. NO ONE cares about protecting public transit.
Ultimately the bigger issues really haven't been addressed, other than who and what we know is responsible for the funding cuts. I'm interested in knowing what other services in Pittsburgh are losing their funding, and why our County Council feels public transportation, that is in many respects the sole method people have to get to and from their livelihoods, deserves to be shortchanged.
ReplyDeleteDear port authority management,
ReplyDeleteTimes are hard. Please consider moving into a less costly space, giving up some of your benefits and parking spaces, and taking some pay cuts. Your rates are going up, but my salary is not. The benefits that you are providing are quickly being outweighed by the hassle and political bickering.
Thanks,
Riders of buses that are being cut.
Thank You for cutting our route, the 68B. To get to another bus I now have to walk 3/4 mile in the opposite direction along a very dangerous road with no sidewalks where cars are speeding.
ReplyDeleteTo now catch a bus we now have to be mountain goats climbing up and down various steep hills. Plus the other buses we can get also are being greatly reduced. So much for ever getting to sit on a Port Authority Bus now, assuming there's enough room to even board.
Can you imagine how much you've also impacted our home values by cutting routes, who had a selling point of being CLOSE to public transit? It's time for forced decreases of pensions/401k's and salaries, especially senior management. It's happening to us normal workers, time for you to take your pill also.
Thank God I'm not a senior citizen or disabled and I have other options such as driving.
You can go from Pittsburgh to NYC by bus for $25, and you actually get a seat. Let's face reality. The unions have destroyed the Port Authority. The only solution is to let it go bankrupt!! Then either renegotiate the contracts or let it go private.
ReplyDelete