Take Action: Port Authority Cuts to Bus Routes, ACCESS Services

February 10, 2012

Proposed Port Authority Cuts to
Bus Routes and ACCESS Services

 

The Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) recently announced it is facing a $64 million budget deficit for the coming year and released plans on how to reduce costs.  PAT is proposing the following fair increases (starting July 1st) and deep cuts to the existing bus and ACCESS services (starting Sept. 2nd).

Bus Services:  40 routes will be eliminated from the existing 100 routes and services will be reduced to all remaining routes.  Riders will also experience up to a 12% increase in fairs.  

Areas that will lose all bus services include:  

  • Braddock Hills
  • East Hills
  • Forest Hills
  • Holiday Park
  • Plum
  • Oakmont
  • Turtle Creek
  • Verona
  • Wilmerding
  • Pitcairn

Areas that will have significant reductions in services include:  

  • Penn Hills
  • Monroeville
  • Wilkinsburg
  • Homestead
  • Lawrenceville
  • McKees Rocks.

ACCESS Services:  Approximately 18% of ACCESS services will be eliminated and more than 1,200 riders who are seniors or have disabilities will lose service.  This is a reduction of about 300,000 trips a year.  Individuals who live more than ¾ mile from a bus stop will either lose ACCESS services or pay a fair that is nearly 10 times higher.

 

If You Rely on ACCESS What Can You Do?

Our first step is to tell Governor Corbett to act on the recommendations presented by his Transportation Funding Advisory Commission. 

These cuts are region-crippling, city-killing.
These cuts don’t have to happen!

 

Please let Governor Corbett and the legislative leaders know that you believe the recommendations made by his own Transportation Funding Advisory Commission are a good framework for addressing the state’s transportation crisis.  Action is especially urgent given the 35% cuts the Port Authority will be forced to make in September 2012 if the crisis is not resolved. 

The Commission has put forward a strong set of recommendations that combine stable and consistent funding from user fees with streamlined operations, efficiency improvements, and new tools such as public-private partnerships to help improve systems across the state.  The scope of the Commission recommended funding level, $11.33/month, per driver, is the right level to ensure that the state’s transportation systems are properly maintained and improved and transit service remains intact.

 

We have resources available to you!

Sign the online petition to Governor Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania General Assembly telling them to find long-term solutions to the public transporation crisis.

 

Contact Gov. Corbett

PAT is on our side and Pennsylvania's state representatives appear to be listening, but Governor Corbett is not.  Please contact Governor Corbett and let him know how these cuts will affect your ability to get to work and be able to pay your state taxes.  Let the governor know if you will not be able to make your medical appointments, buy your groceries or visit your family and friends.

Governor’s Office
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Phone:  (717) 787-2500
Fax:  (717) 772-8284

E-mail the Governor’s Office

Comment on Governor Corbett's Facebook page.

Comment on Governor Corbett's YouTube page.

 

Contact the Port Authority and your Representatives via mail. 

Click to download the following Word documents to send to PAT or your Representatives via US Postal Service:

If you need help finding the contact information for your Representatives, please click here.

You can make your voice be heard.  Public comments will be accepted, by mail, between February 5th and March 9th.  Mailed comments can be sent to:  

Port Authority Fare & Service Proposals
Heinz 77 Center
345 Sixth Ave.
Floor 3
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527. 

Click here to post comments online at portauthority.org.

A public hearing will be held on February 29th from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.  If you would like to testify about how you or a loved one will be impacted by these cuts, you can pre-register at (412) 566-5437 (TTY 412-231-7007).  A sign language interpreter will be available at the hearings and Braille copies of the information will be available. 

For more information and/or to learn how the changes will affect you: