January 03, 2007
New Mon Valley Bus Service Unveiled
News Item:
The Port Authority today proposed two different fare increases and fare structures and the elimination of more than half of its bus routes to help it address the biggest funding deficit in its 43-year-history. (Post-Gazette)
Weekday bus routes recommended for elimination include 50B, 51B, 51D, 51E, 51G, 53C, 53H, 55B, 55D, 55E, 58C, 58P, 60A, 60B, 60E, 60K, 60M, 60P, 61F, 63A, 63B, 65E, 67E, 67F, 67H, 67J, 68B and 68G.
In a nutshell, these proposals would virtually eliminate all local bus service around McKeesport, Clairton, Glassport and the Turtle Creek valley, except for routes that serve Pittsburgh; along with many local services in the Homestead, Duquesne and West Mifflin area.
The "flyers" from Port Vue and McKeesport into Pittsburgh --- the express bus routes that replaced the PATrain --- also would be axed.
The Port Authority is planning to hold public hearings before implementing the changes, but unless Dan Onorato finds a billion dollars under his couch cushions, I think a major world of hurt is about to be done to local bus riders, and your hard-working state legislature and governor deserve much of the credit.
Here are the hearings in and around the Mon-Yough area:
- Tuesday, Jan. 23, 4 to 8 p.m., Monroeville Radisson, 101 Mall Blvd.;
- Thursday, Jan. 25, 4 to 8 p.m., Palisades, 501 Water St.;
- Wednesday, Feb. 7, 5 to 9 p.m., Memorial Hall, Route 88 & Sleepy Hollow Road, Castle Shannon
There was also some
good news today --- slot machine gaming will apparently be able to provide $14.5 million per year for the next 30 years to build a new arena for Mario Lemieux and the Penguins. If you need to ride a bus for work or school, I hope that thought comforts you.