University Times

Bus service in Allegheny County may be gutted further come September if there is no resolution to a $64 million deficit looming for the Port Authority’s fiscal year 2012-13 operating budget.

The potential cuts come on the heels of a 15 percent cut in public transit service in March 2011, which eliminated 29 routes.

The transit company last week announced the largest potential cuts in the agency’s nearly 50-year history. The proposed cuts, which would go into effect Sept. 2, would eliminate 45 of the Port Authority’s current 102 routes and would end nighttime service at 10 p.m. on all but 13 routes.

The 35 percent service reduction would include an estimated 500-600 Port Authority layoffs and would raise fares in all rider zones as of July 1 — the fourth fare increase in five years. The cuts also would isolate dozens of county municipalities that would lose all bus service,  officials warned.

In a statement released Jan. 18, Port Authority officials said, “Left without adequate state funding, Port Authority will have no choice but to slash service, increase fares and lay off employees in order to balance its budget, which it is legally obligated to do.”

If the cuts go into effect, the officials said, “Commuter service to many suburbs would disappear. Late-night service would be cut on all but a few routes, negatively impacting the shift workers so many employers depend upon. Riders who rely on ACCESS paratransit would see fare increases and decreased service. And hundreds of Port Authority employees would be laid off.

“It is our deepest hope that we do not have to enact these service cuts and fare increases — that our state government recognizes the devastating impact they would have on our community and regional economy, and acts to avert this crisis.”

The officials added: “Adequate state transportation funding could prevent this drastic step.”

The Port Authority noted that state legislators Dan Frankel (D-23) and Mike Sturla (D-96) have introduced a bill (HB 2112) that would ensure funding for Pennsylvania’s transportation system, including mass transit, and that Barry Schoch, state transportation secretary, said Gov. Tom Corbett would propose a transportation funding package next month. Corbett’s state budget message is scheduled for Feb. 7.

John Fedele, Pitt associate director of News, said, “Pitt’s administration is aware of the [Port Authority] proposal and is monitoring the situation; speculation on cuts and our response at this time is premature.”

The Port Authority board is scheduled to vote April 27 to finalize the service reduction plan and fare increases. The public comment period on the proposed cuts is Feb. 5-March 9. The transit company will hold a public hearing 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 29 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.

Details of the proposed cuts are posted at www.portauthority.org/paac/CompanyInfoProjects/BudgetFinances/ServiceReductions.aspx.

—Peter Hart