Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday Digest: June 29, 2012

Welcome to TransitBlog's Friday Digest, a round-up of transit-related news from around the country and the globe.

The Michigan Department of Transportation recently teamed up with Indian Trails to install “hearing loop” technology in 17 of their motorcoaches. A hearing loop is a wire that will run around the bus and transmits specific sounds (from a sound source such as the bus PA system) to hearing aids, while surrounding noises are tuned out. Michigan is the first in the U.S to implement this groundbreaking technology. With hearing loss affecting more people every year, this simple equipment not only improves customer experience but paves the way for further advances in transit technology. Read "Indian Trails, MDOT Launch 'Hearing Loop' Tech in Fleet" from Metro Magazine.

Canada is practicing safe transit by testing equipment that detects radiation and explosives on their rail system. This 3-week study in Edmonton, running from June 25-July 15, involves installing five sensors that scan the air for signs of radioactive activity. There are also four ticket validating machines that check for explosives. In the event that explosives are detected, the machines will alert security and security will alert the police, similar to the procedure for a bomb threat. Learn more: "Nuclear device in your pocket? Avoid Churchill LRT" from Edmonton Journal.

This fall, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) is launching an innovative trial program where commuter rail riders use a mobile-phone payment system. The app will work on iPhone, Android and BlackBerry phones and is being developed by a London-based company. It will allow customers to buy single-ride tickets or monthly passes using their phone, not only saving money but time. The pass will be displayed on the phone and the customer will simply show their screen to the conductor, shortening the process. The program is intended to decrease wait time and make it more convenient to ride public transportation. MBTA has recently announced sign-ups for participation in the pilot program, as well as email updates on the progress of this mobile app. Read more at "T invites commuter rail riders to sign up for updates on smartphone ticket app" from the Boston Globe.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Port Authority Fares Increase July 1

Starting Sunday, July 1, increases go into effect on most Port Authority fares, including cash fares for full-fare and half-fare riders, all tickets and passes.

The fare increase is required to balance Port Authority’s budget for Fiscal Year 2013, which begins July 1.

Fare changes are as follows:

Fare Changes Effective July 1, 2012
Current Fares

Full Fare / Half Fare
New Fares

Full Fare / Half Fare
 
One-Way Cash Fare
Bus, T & Inclines
 
Free Zone      Free  Free 
1 Zone  $2.25 / $1.10  $2.50 / $1.25 
2 Zone  $3.25 / $1.60       $3.75 / $1.85 
T System Surcharges 
1 Zone 75 cents / 35 cents  75 cents / 35 cents
2 Zone 75 cents / 35 cents  75 cents / 35 cents
Surcharge added to T cash fares from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. inbound and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. outbound, weekdays only.
Transfers  $1.00 / 50 cents  $1.00 / 50 cents
Transfers are good for a connecting one-zone ride in any direction and valid for three hours. 
Weekly Pass 
1 Zone  $22.50  $25.00
2 Zone  $32.50      $37.50 
Monthly Pass 
1 Zone  $90.00  $97.50
2 Zone  $130.00  $146.25
2 Zone Go-Pass  $152.00  $168.25
Annual Pass 
1 Zone  $990.00          $1,072.50 
2 Zone  $1,430.00  $1,608.75
2 Zone Go-Pass  $1,680.00  $1,850.75 
Annual passes are priced at 11 times the monthly zone pass rate and provide riders with one free month of rides. 
Ten Trip Ticket Book 
1 Zone  $22.50 / $11.00 $25.00 / $12.50
2 Zone  $32.50 / $16.00 $37.50 / $18.50

Starting June 25, riders who pay with tickets may bring old tickets to the Downtown Service Center to exchange them for new tickets, which they can begin using July 1. Riders have until the end of 2012 to exchange tickets and should bring a photo ID when exchanging. Tickets are not refundable for cash.

Additionally, riders may use old tickets on the T, bus or incline through September 30, 2012 if they pay the difference in cash:

• Old 1-Zone full-fare ticket + 25 cents
• Old 1-Zone half-fare ticket + 15 cents
• Old 2-Zone full-fare ticket + 50 cents
• Old 2-Zone half-fare ticket + 25 cents

Fare changes will also go into effect July 1 for ACCESS riders.

For questions or assistance, call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or for TTY, 412-231-7007.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Eleven T Stops Close Monday; Smith Road and Sandy Creek to Remain Open

Two light rail stops slated for closure will remain open following further evaluation from Allegheny County and Port Authority officials.
The Smith Road and Sandy Creek T stops will not close Monday, June 25. Eleven other stops along the Port Authority’s light rail lines will be eliminated that day in an effort to modernize the system and make service more efficient.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald last month called on Port Authority to make several changes to improve the efficiency of the system, including consolidation of light rail stops.
Eliminated stops were chosen based on low boarding counts or proximity to other stops.

At the request of community members and local officials, Fitzgerald and Port Authority officials re-evaluated several stops for safety and accessibility concerns. It was determined that Smith Road and Sandy Creek would remain open. State Senator Wayne Fontana, State Representative Matt Smith and Allegheny County Council members John DeFazio, Vince Gastgeb and John Palmiere were instrumental in bringing stop issues to the attention of the County Executive and the Authority.

"It's important that we continue to improve our transit system across Allegheny County and these changes will help make light rail service more efficient and attractive for current riders -- and potential riders," Fitzgerald said. "It's always important to consider community concerns, and I'm glad for the guidance and input of residents and elected officials who contributed heavily to our final decision about these stops."
Following is the finalized list of stops that will close effective with start of service Monday (included in parentheses is the closest alternative stop):
  • Traymore (Pennant)
  • Coast (Hampshire)
  • Boustead (Shiras or Belasco)
  • Neeld (Shiras)
  • Kelton (Dormont or Potomac)
  • Martin Villa (Willow or St. Anne’s)
  • Santa Barbara (Highland)
  • Mine 3 (Washington Junction)
  • Lindermer (Hillcrest)
  • Center (Lytle)
  • Latimer (Monroe)
For assistance with trip planning, visit www.portauthority.org or dial Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or for TTY, 412-231-7007.

Board Adopts Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

Port Authority's Board of Directors today adopted a $333 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013). The budget is balanced, assumes no additional outside funding and includes a fare increase set for July 1 and a 35-percent service reduction scheduled for September 2.

The Fiscal Year 2013 budget may be amended if changes are made to Port Authority’s operating funding or expenses.

"We continue to work with state, county and union leadership on a solution in the hopes of avoiding the September service reductions," said Port Authority CEO Steve Bland. “Collectively we recognize the loss of 46 transit routes would be devastating to our community and to the local economy.”

This year's operating budget contains $333 million in total expenses, down from $370.2 million total expenses in Fiscal Year 2012. View a presentation on the budget.

Capital BudgetThe Authority's Board also approved capital improvement budgets for two years. The Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget totals $138 million and Fiscal Year 2013-2014 budget totals $135 million. The Fiscal Year 2013 capital budget has been amended from an original projection of $149 million, deferring additional bus purchases, and park and ride expansion.

Operating and capital improvement budgets serve different functions. The capital budget reflects how Port Authority maintains its extensive system, including more than 26 miles of light rail tracks, nearly 15 miles of busways and roughly 800 vehicles. Capital funding cannot be used for operating expenses.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Dump the Pump Day is Thursday, June 21

The seventh annual Dump the Pump Day is this Thursday, June 21. This is a day that emphasizes the environmental and economic benefits of public transit.

Each year, public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons. If one person with a 20 mile round trip commute switched to public transit, they could reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 lbs or more than 4,800 lbs annually. Taking public transportation additionally decreases congestion costs as well as gallons of fuel used.

Port Authority is committed to environmental sustainability and uses the latest diesel engine technology that has reduced particulate matter emissions by 96%. In addition, Port Authority has 32 hybrid buses in its fleet which help alleviate air and noise pollution. We urge you to recognize the benefits of public transit and ride the bus, T or incline on National Dump the Pump Day this Thursday, June 21.

For more information on Dump the Pump Day, visit the American Public Transportation Association’s website at www.apta.com. For information on what Port Authority is doing to stay green, visit our Sustainability webpage.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Overnight Partial West Busway Closures Through June 28

Beginning tonight, Port Authority will close a portion of the West Busway overnight each weekday through June 28 for installation and rehabilitation of ventilation fans in the busway’s Berry Street Tunnel. The closure will impact Ingram and Sheraden Busway stations both inbound and outbound.

The closures will be in effect from approximately midnight through 5:30 a.m. Due to the hours of the closure, only the first couple of inbound trips on the 28X, G2 and G3 and last couple of outbound trips on 28X and G2 are expected to be impacted.

Temporary stops near the busway stations will be served during the closures.

When Ingram Station is closed, inbound buses will stop at the Ingram Busway Ramp at Ingram Avenue, and outbound buses will stop at the Ingram Busway Ramp at the West Busway.

For Sheraden Station, inbound buses will stop at the Chartiers Avenue Busway Ramp #1 at West Busway (Park & Ride); outbound buses will stop at Chartiers Busway Ramp #1 at Chartiers Avenue.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Red Line Detours This Weekend (June 16-17)

A portion of the Red Line in Beechview will close from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 16 and again on Sunday, June 17.

During the work, service to Red Line stops will be provided by a combination of detoured Red Line service, bus shuttles and local light rail shuttles. Red Line riders should allow for extra time during the detour.

Red Line service will detour in both directions over the Overbrook line (where Blue Line T service operates), serving its normal stops Downtown, at Station Square and at South Hills Junction, then serving Boggs through Willow stations before continuing on its regular routing to South Hills Village. At Willow, riders can transfer to a local light rail shuttle that will operate in both directions between Overbrook Junction and Potomac.

Bus shuttles will offer inbound and outbound service to riders who use Red Line stops between Station Square and Potomac Station, with shuttle stops located close to T stops. At Station Square, riders may transfer to buses or the T to continue into Downtown Pittsburgh. At Potomac, riders may transfer to the local light rail shuttle for service to stops between Kelton and Overbrook Junction.
A map of the detour is posted below.

View Red Line Detour: June 16-17, 2012 in a larger map

For assistance, dial Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or for TTY, 412-231-7007.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Update to List of Light Rail Stops to Be Eliminated

Signs have been posted at 13 Port Authority light rail stops that will be eliminated on June 25, making riders aware of the upcoming change and listing alternative stop locations. The stops selected were identified due to low boarding counts and proximity to other stops.

The changes are part of ongoing efforts called for by Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald to improve light rail service.

The only change from the initial list of stops identified a week ago is in Beechview, where the Coast stop will be eliminated instead of the Hampshire stop.


The list of stops being posted include (with alternate locations in parentheses):

•         Traymore (Pennant)
•         Coast (Hampshire)
•         Boustead (Shiras or Belasco)
•         Neeld (Shiras)
•         Kelton (Dormont or Potomac)
•         Martin Villa (Willow or St. Anne’s)
•         Smith Road (St. Anne’s or Washington Junction)
•         Santa Barbara (Highland)
•         Mine 3 (Washington Junction)
•         Lindermer (Hillcrest)
•         Center (Lytle)
•         Latimer (Monroe)
•         Sandy Creek (West Library)

The Authority's light rail system carried about 30,000 riders on an average weekday in April and provides service between the North Shore, Downtown and the South Hills. Three routes provide service on the 26-mile light rail system. Trips in Downtown and the North Shore are free, thanks to funding agreements with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh Stadium Authority and ALCO Parking.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Wabash Tunnel Closures Next Week

Wabash Tunnel will be closed 8 am to 3 pm daily from Monday, June 11 through Friday, June 15.

The closures are to allow for removal and installation of fans inside the tunnel.

No Port Authority bus routes use the Wabash Tunnel. The tunnel provides a shortcut for motorists from Route 51 to the South Side and Downtown Pittsburgh, operating as a HOV-2 route during peak periods.

Buses Detour for Pride Weekend

Numerous Port Authority bus routes will see detours and temporary stop changes in Downtown this weekend for this year's Pittsburgh Pride events.

First, about 17 bus routes will detour briefly at midday today for a Pride kickoff event near Liberty Avenue and Ninth Street.

Then all day tomorrow, 17 bus routes will detour for the Pride in the Streets event and concert that will close a portion of Liberty Avenue.

Sunday will see multiple detours for the day-long PrideFest event and the Pride Awareness March around midday. Altogether about 40 Port Authority bus routes will be impacted that day.

Riders should allow for extra time when traveling on detoured routes. They should also be aware of minor quarterly schedule changes going into effect on about 18 routes starting Sunday.

View information on Pride weekend detours.

View information on Sunday's quarterly schedule adjustments.

For questions or assistance, dial Customer Service at (412) 442-2000 or for TTY, (412) 231-7007.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Thirteen T stops to be eliminated June 25.

Thirteen stops on Port Authority’s light rail lines will be eliminated on June 25 in an effort to make light rail service more direct for current riders and more attractive to potential riders.

The stops selected for elimination were identified due to their low boarding counts and proximity to other stops. The longest distance any rider affected by the change would have to travel to reach another light rail stop is about 650 yards.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald last month called on Port Authority to make several changes to improve the efficiency of the system, including consolidation of light rail stops.

"I’m glad to see the Authority work proactively to address this issue. I understand that these stops were selected because the ridership was low and because there are alternative stops relatively close," said Fitzgerald. "While our bus lines have gone through numerous changes involving consolidations of routes and stops to improve efficiency and productivity, this is the first time that attention has been paid to the stops on the light rail system. These changes should result in transit trips that are not interrupted by unnecessary stops, which benefits both riders today and those who might consider using public transportation."

Overall, this move will affect less than 1 percent of Port Authority's total daily ridership and roughly 5 percent of its rail ridership. However, service will be more attractive and practical for the roughly 30,000 light rail riders traveling between the North Shore, Downtown and the South Hills each weekday.

"We've long heard complaints from many of our light rail riders that there are too many stops, which can be frustrating," said Port Authority CEO Steve Bland. "We also know that when transit lines appear slow and inconvenient, people are less likely to try them. So this also has hindered our ability to serve more people."

There are more stops on the Red Line than other light rail systems. The Red Line has more than five stops per mile. In comparison, Philadelphia has 3.2 stops per mile, Cleveland 2.5, Boston 1.1 and Los Angeles 0.9. At two locations along the Red Line, the stop spacing is about 422 feet (the length of a two-car train is about 160 feet).

Signs will be posted by Monday, June 11 at the affected stops to alert riders to the upcoming change and direct them to the next nearest light rail boarding location. Light rail cars will no longer serve the discontinued stops starting on Monday, June 25. The stops to be eliminated along with the nearest alternate stop (in parentheses):

Red Line:
  • Traymore (Pennant)
  • Hampshire (Fallowfield or Coast)
  • Boustead (Shiras or Belasco)
  • Neeld (Shiras)
  • Kelton (Dormont or Potomac)
Blue Line-Library/Blue Line-SHV/Red Line-SHV trips only:
  • Martin Villa (Willow or St. Anne’s)
  • Smith Road (St. Anne’s or Washington Junction)
Blue Line-SHV/Red Line-SHV trips only:
  • Santa Barbara (Highland)
Blue Line-Library:
  • Mine 3 (Washington Junction)
  • Lindermer (Hillcrest)
  • Center (Lytle)
  • Latimer (Monroe)
  • Sandy Creek (West Library)
The Authority's light rail system carried about 30,000 riders on an average weekday in April and provides service between the North Shore, Downtown and the South Hills. Three routes provide service on the 26-mile light rail system. Trips in Downtown and the North Shore are free, thanks to funding agreements with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh Stadium Authority and ALCO Parking.

For questions or assistance, dial Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or for TTY, 412-231-7007.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Rail Work to Impact T and South Busway Through Monday

Single-tracking will occur on the Red Line tonight through Monday so that Port Authority contractors may conduct rail work near the Traymore (Dawn Avenue) stop. The work will also impact bus routes that use the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel and South Busway.

The work will begin at about 10 tonight and will conclude at approximately 4 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, before the morning start of service. Red Line delays of approximately 10 minutes off-peak and 15 minutes during Monday’s rush hour are possible during this work. Monday commuters might want to allow for extra travel time due to the potential delays.

Inbound Red Line cars will operate on the outbound track between Traymore and South Hills Junction, so inbound riders at Dawn and Palm Garden must wait until the T arrives, then walk across the track to board. The Blue Line will remain on regular routing during the rail work, but riders may experience stoppages of a few minutes near South Hills Junction. 

A portion of the South Busway will be closed to accommodate the work, impacting nine Port Authority bus routes. Busway stops at South Hills Junction, Palm Garden and Dawn will not be served during this time. View information on temporary stops.

For assistance, dial Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or for TTY, 412-231-7007.