Port Authority makes cuts, buys time

Port Authority buses are running on borrowed time. The Board of Directors for Port Authority unanimously voted Wednesday in a public meeting to reduce service by 15 percent beginning March 27, which includes cutting 27 routes and eliminating 270 jobs, with 180 resulting from layoffs. Thirty-seven routes will have their weekday service reduced, which will affect about 45 percent of riders.

The vote stemmed from controversy over how to spend the $45 million Gov. Ed Rendell appropriated on Dec. 2 to balance Port Authority's $47.1 million budget deficit for the 2010-11 fiscal year. By enacting a 15 percent cut, Port Authority will extend Rendell's appropriation through the 2011-12 fiscal year.

Even with those cuts, however, Port Authority would be in the same situation in July 1, 2012.


The 15 percent service cut is far from the proposed 35 percent cuts, passed in a Nov. 24 board meeting. Under the earlier plan, 47 routes would have been cut, fares would have increased in both the city and suburbs and 540 positions would have been eliminated with 430 coming from layoffs. Another plan would have affected 80 percent of riders.

The proposed cuts will go into effect July 1, 2012 if Port Authority cannot find additional revenue.

Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie emphasized that the extension of the Rendell appropriation is just a quick fix and said the state government needs to step in to balance the deficit.


"This is temporary because the state should still replenish the revenue under Act 44," he said.

Act 44 calls for Pennsylvania to provide Port Authority with base funding each year and additional money each year to protect against inflation. However, the Port Authority has 18 months before more routes are scheduled to be cut, and in that time period, Port Authority officials hope the funds missing from Act 44 appropriation can be replaced.

Board member Guy Mattola called the chances of that happening "slim to none."

Prior to the meeting, five people voiced their concern over extending Rendell's money for 18 months.

Bryon Shane, a representative of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85, accused the Port Authority management of committing "criminal acts" by not supporting continued full service and making cuts now.

Mattola countered that the board had the best interests of the Port Authority at heart and was making the "least worst choice."


"Our job is to try to save what we can," he said.

Jonathan Robinson, president of the Allegheny County Transit Council, who also spoke before the meeting, advocated avoiding the cuts until Rendell's appropriation ran out, but was pleased that Port Authority could avoid the 35 percent service cut.


"I'm relieved to hear the 15 percent cut buys us time," he said.


Robinson, who uses on a powered wheelchair to get around, relies completely on public transportation because his chair does not fit into most cars. He was nervous that he would be able to leave his Oakland home less often with the service reduction.


"I'd only be able to leave when my wife can take me, and she's busy," he said.

Bland said service between Oakland and Downtown would still be prevalent, although buses may come less often. He added that Duquesne students in the area wouldn't have much trouble getting to school.


However, in July 2012 bus service could drop dramatically, Bland said. He said that Port Authority would not be able to pull itself out of the current situation without state help.

"If the community wants to make this a Port Authority problem, every year they can watch more routes disappear," Bland said.