QUOTE
Port Authority officials are warning of a "death spiral" of deeper service cuts along with layoffs and fare increases if Gov. Tom Corbett and the Legislature don't resolve a statewide transportation funding crisis.
Full story here.
Full Version: PAT/"Death spiral" could come with more cuts
Pittsburgh, PA Post-Gazette, 9/24/11:
Port Authority officials are warning of a "death spiral" of deeper service cuts along with layoffs and fare increases if Gov. Tom Corbett and the Legislature don't resolve a statewide transportation funding crisis.
Full story here.
Port Authority officials are warning of a "death spiral" of deeper service cuts along with layoffs and fare increases if Gov. Tom Corbett and the Legislature don't resolve a statewide transportation funding crisis.
Full story here.
... and here it comes! The article primarily addresses bus service since most public transit is by bus in Pittsburgh. However there are cuts in light rail and incline hours and frequency of service.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_777124.html
QUOTE
Port Authority of Allegheny County threatens to close its latest budget deficit by killing bus service to 100 communities, stranding 45,000 riders daily and raising fares again.
The agency's proposal to erase a $64 million gap would make Pittsburgh International Airport the only major airport in the country not served by public transportation.
"If these proposals go through, it will probably be the beginning of the end for the Port Authority as people know it," said agency spokesman Jim Ritchie. Port Authority today will detail its plan, which includes eliminating 35 percent of its service and about one-fifth of its work force.
...
The proposal eliminates 46 bus routes, and scales back the remaining 56 bus, light-rail and incline routes -- riders would lose night or weekend service, and the frequency of trips would be reduced.
The agency's proposal to erase a $64 million gap would make Pittsburgh International Airport the only major airport in the country not served by public transportation.
"If these proposals go through, it will probably be the beginning of the end for the Port Authority as people know it," said agency spokesman Jim Ritchie. Port Authority today will detail its plan, which includes eliminating 35 percent of its service and about one-fifth of its work force.
...
The proposal eliminates 46 bus routes, and scales back the remaining 56 bus, light-rail and incline routes -- riders would lose night or weekend service, and the frequency of trips would be reduced.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_777124.html
We'll find out more when the details are released, but it sounds like the worst doomsday scenario all over again. Of course the last cuts were pretty drastic too, espeicially with the total elimination of the "over the top" light rail line.
Since this is still a state problem, can we expect a similar announcement to be coming from Philly's SEPTA anytime soon? If so, John, I'd enjoy that Cynwyd Line as much as you can, because I'll bet that's the first to go.
Since this is still a state problem, can we expect a similar announcement to be coming from Philly's SEPTA anytime soon? If so, John, I'd enjoy that Cynwyd Line as much as you can, because I'll bet that's the first to go.
QUOTE(KevinKorell @ Jan 18 2012, 01:47 PM) 
We'll find out more when the details are released, but it sounds like the worst doomsday scenario all over again. Of course the last cuts were pretty drastic too, espeicially with the total elimination of the "over the top" light rail line.
Since this is still a state problem, can we expect a similar announcement to be coming from Philly's SEPTA anytime soon? If so, John, I'd enjoy that Cynwyd Line as much as you can, because I'll bet that's the first to go.
I do not think SEPTA's situation is nearly as bad. I think the greater danger to the Cynwyd dinky is that rickety bridge over the main line near 52nd Street. It certainly won't be replaced. Otherwise Cynwyd is a very small line in the budget that may remain under the radar until there a major financial crisis like Pittsburgh.
This link has the list of proposed changes. Blue Line (Library) will be gone on weekends.
http://www.wtae.com/money/30240119/detail.html
http://www.wtae.com/money/30240119/detail.html
Back to the "burgh".... From Pittsburgh, PA Tribune-Review, 1/18/12:
Port Authority of Allegheny County officials today detailed proposals to raise fares in July and slash bus routes in September as part of a plan to erase a $64 million budget deficit for the fiscal year starting in July.
This article doesn't even mention cuts to LRT & Incline, but we know that is part of the total package.
QUOTE
Port Authority cuts would be in September, fares would rise in July
Port Authority of Allegheny County officials today detailed proposals to raise fares in July and slash bus routes in September as part of a plan to erase a $64 million budget deficit for the fiscal year starting in July.
CBS Pittsburgh, 1/18/12:
The last round of Port Authority cuts were called draconian.
The next round, which is currently being explored, would cut even deeper. It would be the largest in the Port Authority’s 48-year history.
More
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Port Authority Riders Disheartened By More Proposed Cuts
The last round of Port Authority cuts were called draconian.
The next round, which is currently being explored, would cut even deeper. It would be the largest in the Port Authority’s 48-year history.
MSNBC, 1/18/12:
Weekday service will end at or about 10 p.m. on all but a handful of routes. There will be deeper cuts in weekend service, and Blue Line trolleys won't run at all on weekends.
Continue
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Port Authority To Cut Many More Routes, Raise Fares
Weekday service will end at or about 10 p.m. on all but a handful of routes. There will be deeper cuts in weekend service, and Blue Line trolleys won't run at all on weekends.
Progressive Railroading, 2/6/12:
Port Authority of Allegheny County officials are soliciting public comments on proposals to reduce service and increase fares as part of an attempt to address a $64 million operating budget deficit in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Continue
QUOTE
Pittsburgh port authority proposes fare increase, service cuts
Port Authority of Allegheny County officials are soliciting public comments on proposals to reduce service and increase fares as part of an attempt to address a $64 million operating budget deficit in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Continue
Pittsburgh, PA Post-Gazette, 2/29/12:
The largest service reduction in Port Authority history would displace senior citizens, the disabled, working people and businesses, and reverse the region's recent economic growth, speakers at a public hearing said today.
Details
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Riders, advocates push back against proposed transit cuts
The largest service reduction in Port Authority history would displace senior citizens, the disabled, working people and businesses, and reverse the region's recent economic growth, speakers at a public hearing said today.
Details
Fighting the agency?s plan to cut service by 35% on Sept. 2 to erase a $64 million budget deficit, more than 300 people registered to speak at a legally mandated hearing on the agency?s proposal.
View the full article
Progressive Railroading, 5/1/12:
The Port Authority of Allegheny County’s board voted late last week to authorize a fare increase and 35 percent service reduction that could go into effect later this year.
Find this one here.
QUOTE
Pittsburgh port authority weighs fare hike, service and staff cuts
The Port Authority of Allegheny County’s board voted late last week to authorize a fare increase and 35 percent service reduction that could go into effect later this year.
Find this one here.
Port Authority's own synopsis of the fare increases and service reductions & cancellations here.
It's unfortunate that PAT is having to make a Hobson choice that would drive riders away by either substantially raising fares or slashing service to skeleton levels.
I am quite aware of how bad the situation is, and I suspect the only way out for this PAT situation is bankruptcy. Pennsylvania state government will become the receiver. This arrangement will not delight many transit workers.
For years, PAT leadership has lavished above-market pay and benefits on authority line and staff in the naive notion that local and state resources will continue to grow ad infinitum. These subsidies would supposedly cover increasing pension and health care costs (both for workers and retirees). A state takeover to correct these imbalances will involve some heavy-handedness that will please few people, especially PAT labor and management.
Sloan
I am quite aware of how bad the situation is, and I suspect the only way out for this PAT situation is bankruptcy. Pennsylvania state government will become the receiver. This arrangement will not delight many transit workers.
For years, PAT leadership has lavished above-market pay and benefits on authority line and staff in the naive notion that local and state resources will continue to grow ad infinitum. These subsidies would supposedly cover increasing pension and health care costs (both for workers and retirees). A state takeover to correct these imbalances will involve some heavy-handedness that will please few people, especially PAT labor and management.
Sloan
Has a major rail transit provider ever filed for bankruptcy before? It does not mean that service would totally cease, but cuts could end up being even worse that what Port Authority proposes.
I know that one solution to Pennsylvania's transit funding crisis was to toll I-80. Given the long east-west distance across the state, and the fact that I-80 runs nowhere near the major cities, the idea did not stick. I'm not sure at this point if the idea was totally discarded, but I can't see it getting any support either politically or with the trucking and vacation industries.
I still fail to see how they are able to provide totally free LRT service on the newly opened North Shore segment, yet they are raising fares on the rest of the LRT system and in fact the entire Port Authority transit system, what's left of it. I know that several entities provided some financial support, so perhaps more of this is needed to keep the rest of the system afloat, as opposed to cutting everything but rush hour service.
I know that one solution to Pennsylvania's transit funding crisis was to toll I-80. Given the long east-west distance across the state, and the fact that I-80 runs nowhere near the major cities, the idea did not stick. I'm not sure at this point if the idea was totally discarded, but I can't see it getting any support either politically or with the trucking and vacation industries.
I still fail to see how they are able to provide totally free LRT service on the newly opened North Shore segment, yet they are raising fares on the rest of the LRT system and in fact the entire Port Authority transit system, what's left of it. I know that several entities provided some financial support, so perhaps more of this is needed to keep the rest of the system afloat, as opposed to cutting everything but rush hour service.
QUOTE(KevinKorell @ May 4 2012, 02:54 PM)
Has a major rail transit provider ever filed for bankruptcy before?
Well as phrased, yes! The Pennsylvania RR for example, as well as the Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT), both filed for bankruptcy and I'm sure that there are a few others as well.
I'm not sure that a publicly owned systems has ever filed for bankruptcy however.
QUOTE
Port Authority, union reach terms
Called crucial step for avoiding cuts set for next month; details withheld pending ratification
The Port Authority has reached a tentative contract agreement with its largest union, a crucial step toward avoiding the record-breaking public transit service cuts planned for next month.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced the agreement Thursday afternoon in a brief statement that said no details would be provided until after ratification votes by Local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Union and the authority board. The union's contract expired June 30.
Called crucial step for avoiding cuts set for next month; details withheld pending ratification
The Port Authority has reached a tentative contract agreement with its largest union, a crucial step toward avoiding the record-breaking public transit service cuts planned for next month.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced the agreement Thursday afternoon in a brief statement that said no details would be provided until after ratification votes by Local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Union and the authority board. The union's contract expired June 30.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/t...h-terms-648413/
Includes nearly $60 million in concessions. A two-year wage freeze will save the agency $19.6 million. A key provision lets the union to void the contract if the state and county don't provide adequate future funding and the authority is forced to lay off employees or close garages. View the full article
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