posted by Joe Polk at 10:13 PM /
Less than a month after reducing bus and trolley service by 15 percent, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has announced another 10 percent cut. The Port Authority said that unless the state passes a budget that dedicates more transit funding, bus service would be cut again in September.
The cut list includes 37A Mt. Lebanon-McFarland, 41C Cedar Boulevard, 42M Mt. Lebanon Short, 46H Pleasant Hills, 67E Greensburg Pike, 75D Penn Hills-Monroeville, 77C Shadyside, 78E Penn Hills-East Vue Express, 84B Oakland Loop and many others.
Link: www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/13635577/detail.html
The cut list includes 37A Mt. Lebanon-McFarland, 41C Cedar Boulevard, 42M Mt. Lebanon Short, 46H Pleasant Hills, 67E Greensburg Pike, 75D Penn Hills-Monroeville, 77C Shadyside, 78E Penn Hills-East Vue Express, 84B Oakland Loop and many others.
Link: www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/13635577/detail.html
Labels: port authority, transportation
10 Comments:
For years PAT workers have been the highest paid in the country (based on Standard of living)
They've given out incredible pensions and other benefits. Right now, half the people being paid are retired. The average age of a retired worker is 52.
Just like with other Government functions, the people suffer.
We already are lucky enough to have the T run through town. Are people really that lazy that they need a bus to take them to the T as well? If so, you should have considered that prior to moving so far away from a T stop.
I can't wait for these cuts to be made. The bus comes down my street dozens of times per day, I have never seen more than 1 person on any one of these buses. PAT would be better off providing taxis for the limited number of people who even use the bus in Mt. Lebanon. Normally, the bus is going at least 10 mph above the speed limit through a residential neighborhood where kids play in the street every day.
I rode the 37A for four years, commuting to and from work downtown. We may toast our proximity to the T, but believe me, the 36 and 37A will beat a Beechview T to Gateway Center by 15-20 minutes even on the worst traffic-choked Banksville day.
There may have been only one rider further out from the main arteries, but by the time that bus hit Crane Ave there were almost always standers. At least on the peak buses. That's what kills me - don't cut the routes, cut the unridden (or underridden) timeslots.
It's a shame we can't do something to fix PAT's failures, but I think in 5 years time we will regret the losses. Anon 7:37's right - no matter who's side you're seeing, the people's side is losing.
At some point PAT, and this state, will figure out that the system must be fixed, instead of constantly bailed out.
PAT has been the most horribly run Government function. Not only do we pay the highest rates in the country (based on standard of living), but we also get the worst service imagineable.
The trolley is so bad people would rather sit in traffic for an hour than sit on the trolley.
We owe billions in unfunded pensions to these people at PAT and the rest of the P.A. Government. They are tearing down this state. This is the #1 reason people are leaving, because nobody seems to want to change this.
When I first moved here, I LOOKED for reasons to take the T downtown. So close! I could take my bike down to the jail trail, how cool! Look, they advertise that you can take your bikes!
I didn't count on the drivers being so horribly rude, booting my husband and I off during legal times, moving us all over the cabin, etc. The last trip I willingly took, the driver yelled at my 65 year old father. A friend mentioned being screamed at while trying to get her baby stroller on.
I realize that mine is a weird scenario compared to most riders on the T. But... When you're looking at a system that needs riders, a little customer service would go a long way. Hopefully the bad drivers went with the cut routes.
Cam
Cam, you are not the only one. I used to ride the T every day and stopped due to PAT Transits employees and inability to be on-time.
I've taken the trolley/bus a few times since, and each time the driver has been incredibly rude, ignored my questions, or just ignored me.
For decades they do this, get their raises and incredible pensions, and go on strike when they want more.
I really wished the P.A. budget didn't bail them out. I'm hoping Danny O. makes them make concessions before matching the funds.
It is really sad when people who live so close to a trolley/bus would rather drive and spend all the parking and gas money instead.
Unlike in other states, Public transportation here seems to be for the desperate only.
It is truly amazing that nobody on this blog has stood up for PAT. All of this negative, and no rebuttal or "other side of the story."
This truly shows how screwed up PAT Transit is. It is time to clean house and start over.
I took the 36A for years until I moved from Mt. Lebanon. Convenient, mostly friendly bus drivers, and met a lot of great people. The bus is an unappreciated treasure in Mt. Lebanon. I think the lack of ridership stems more from maintaining your percieved status in Mt. Lebanon than problems with any problems of the bus. An hour long commute down Banksville Road in you BMW worth it to suport your position in life.
One of the 36As, I think it came through at Beverly & McFarland around 8:30, always had a really lively discussion group going. There were a core bunch of riders who'd always be talking about something interesting. Some of them got off at the PG building, I always wondered if any of them were reporters.
I also remember hearing a long time ago that the 44U crowd was practically a cult. Is that still so? :)
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