Fontana Discusses Port Authority's Proposed Cuts

As many of you have probably already heard, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has once again not only threatened to reduce service hours and routes by 35 percent but also increase fare rates come Sept. 2. Although ridership is up, this would make it the largest cut in the agency’s 48-year history, affecting every user of the system in some way. 

The Port Authority is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, who are appointed by the Allegheny County government. The tax payers are responsible for much of the authority’s income since it comes from county, state and federal sources. Although the Port Authority is publically funded, the authority makes its own decisions and the state has no control on the spending or the ability to dictate route schedules.

The Allegheny County Port Authority’s plan is a reaction to an estimated $64 million deficit in its 2012-13 operating budget, which takes effect in July. This is not the first time the authority has threatened service cuts and increased fares in order to generate more money from both the General Assembly and from you, the riders. During the 2010-11 fiscal year, I and other members of the Allegheny County delegation in the General Assembly lobbied then Governor Ed Rendell to help sustain mass transit for our county. Due to our efforts, $45 million was secured and the Port Authority of Allegheny County scaled back the cuts from the projected 35 percent to 15 percent.

The state has consistently funded the Port Authority by more than half of their budget each year as well as infused them with additional funding during 2010-2011; yet, cuts still took place. I am a firm advocate for funding for the system and voted in favor of Act 44 of 2007, which would have provided dedicated funding for mass transit through tolling of I-80. However, in order to convert I-80 into a toll road, the plan needed approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which rejected all applications.

This is a bipartisan issue that affects all age groups. People are dependent on the system to get to work and businesses need mass transit to survive, especially in these hard economic times. Seniors rely on mass transit to get to doctor appointments and many Pittsburgh public school children depend on the Port Authority to get to school. Unemployment will also rise due to the estimated 500 to 600 jobs that could be eliminated if this plan is implemented.

History speaks for itself when it comes to funding fixes for the Allegheny County Port Authority. The Legislature has already infused the authority with additional funding in the past and here we are again in the same situation. Citizens need to demand a long term solution to this problem in addition to the issues we face when it comes to road and bridge funding.

A sustainable solution needs to begin with Governor Tom Corbett. Early on in his administration, he appointed a Transportation Advisory Commission. In August 2011, the commission released many recommendations to help solve the funding issues we face today. However, the General Assembly has not been given a chance to vote on even one of the suggestions from the commission. If this isn’t a crisis that needs an immediate solution, I don’t know what is.

I encourage my constituents to speak out against these unfair cuts and contact the Port Authority Board. I also hope you will consider attending the public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 29 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. A public comment period will be running from Feb. 5 until March 9 if you are unable to attend the hearing.

Please be assured that I will continue to advocate for dedicated funds for mass transit and do everything in my power to help make sure these cuts of services are not a reality.