This is just getting old to be honest. It seems that every few months the Port Authority comes out and says that it’s making no money and they need to make aggressive cuts.
What happened to the Onorato Tax money that they are still collecting? It’s time to actually be honest about what’s going on with this. It’s continually losing money, continually cutting routes, and continually raising fees. Something just doesn’t add up, and sooner or later, they have to be breaking even.
I forgot though, it’s government run, silly me. One of the most corrupt business there is. Apparently some people are angry about this, Shocked? I know, it’s surprising. What does WPXI.com have to report about it? Let’s see:
Chief Executive Officer Steve Bland said the agency faces a $51 million budget deficit despite service cuts and other reforms in the past three years that have saved $52 million annually. The company also blames the deficit on $27 million it would have received if the federal government approved tolling on Interstate 80, but that was rejected.
“I had dozens of CEOs tell me their employees use the system,” said Bland. “It impacts business, caretakers. My fear, we won’t realize until it’s lost and then it’s hard to get that back.”
“Every year, the Port Authority comes up with something,” said Bloomfield resident Tyrone Campbell. “They crying that they are broke. Now they’re talking $4. They need to quit.”
“I, personally, get to and from work through buses now,” said Corey Watkins. “Now, I have to hike two to three miles just to get to my bus station.”
Watkins said he uses services along Steubenville Pike and Campbell’s Run Road, a place where transit officials said services could be greatly reduced or discontinued.
Struggling college student Alyssa Moore said she will probably have to quit her weekend job on the South Side.“I’m not really happy, I already leave an hour early to get to work. If they cut any more, I have to leave earlier,” said Moore.
Spokesman Jim Ritchie said the authority has “no other options” without more state funding.Fare increases could take effect on Jan. 1 with the cuts coming Jan. 9.
Over the next 30 days, riders who will be affected by the changes can voice their concerns. On Aug. 19, the Port Authority is planning an all-day public hearing at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
The Port Authority’s Board of Directors will then vote on the plan in September. But riders are already upset about the future cuts.
Even though the county said the changes are necessary to avert a $50 million deficit, some people aren’t buying it.“I don’t know why they need more money,” said Moore. “I pay $85 a month, that’s already too much.”
I’m just as much amazed as these people are. For this situation to continually lose that much money, because last year they cut 50 million, and this year they want to cut another 50. You’re telling me they’ve lost 100+ million in two years? What kind of joke spending are they doing? It’s absurd, and the Pittsburgh Council needs to do something about this.
July 26th, 2010 at 12:19 PM
I rarely use public transit, so this doesn’t really affect me all that much… but I’d love to see a private company come in & make a bid on this. The routes would meet the demand price-wise and time-wise, I’m sure.