One of the nations largest cities and two major metropolitan areas are likely to be without weekend transit service and higher-overall fares thanks to the.... One of the nations largest cities and two major metropolitan areas are likely to be without weekend transit service and higher-overall fares thanks to the Republican-controlled legislature in Pennsylvania. In addition, the state's two biggest transit agencies will be forced to cut thousands of jobs.

The Port Authority (Allegheny County/Pittsburgh transit agency) announced that as a result of inaction by the state legislature to address statewide funding for public transportation, it will have no choice but to move forward with drastic fare increases and dramatic service cuts that were the subject of a public hearing on November 4, 2004. Gov. Ed Rendell has asked the State Legislature to return to address the issue, but Republican leaders indicate they have no interest in returning. (let the cities rot seems to be the message--payback for our Democratic votes?).

"The General Assembly adjourned early Sunday morning without addressing public transportation funding that Port Authority and other transit agencies across the commonwealth have long pursued," said Port Authority Chief Executive Officer Paul P. Skoutelas. "While there were several specific proposals advanced to increase funding for public transportation, none was acted upon by the legislature.

"We are very disappointed that the General Assembly did not establish dedicated funding for public transportation, which is vital to our riders and the economic health and well being of our region. This inaction will seriously threaten the ability for many of our riders to remain employed and live quality and productive lives."

Among actions which were the subject of the November 4, 2004 public hearing included:

* Elimination of Saturday, Sunday and holiday bus, rail and ACCESS service
* Elimination of all weekday bus, rail, Mon Incline and ACCESS service after 9:00 p.m.
* Elimination of 70 bus and rail routes, or approximately one-third of the Authority’s 210 routes
* Elimination of special event shuttle services
* Increase in the base fare from $1.75 to $2.50 along with corresponding increases in the price of pre-paid fare instruments
* Doubling of the fare for ACCESS riders living beyond three-fourths of a mile of a Port Authority bus or rail route
* Tripling of the fare for ACCESS convenience rides

Across the state Philadelphia's trasit agency, SEPTA reports it will have to:

* Eliminate all weekend service on all SEPTA routes including paratransit (provide Monday-Friday service only)
* Reduce weekday service on all SEPTA routes by 20%
* Raise Base Cash Fare from $2.00 to $2.50
* Implement a 25% average increase in the price of all other fares – tokens, weekly and monthly passes, and ADA fares
* Eliminate 1400 SEPTA employee positions

As a result of the service reductions, Port Authority will close one of its five bus divisions and eliminate approximately 500 jobs. ACCESS is also expected to reduce its workforce by approximately 150 positions. These actions are necessary to help the Authority address an operating deficit in excess of $30 million, resulting largely from years of state underfunding.

Port Authority is one of 70 transit agencies across the state which is experiencing serious financial problems. For example, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia is facing a $62 million deficit and is taking action to raise its base fare to $2.50, reduce service by 20 percent and lay off 1,400 employees. More than half of the other smaller transit agencies in Pennsylvania, such as in York County, Lehigh Valley and Wilkes-Barre, have either implemented or are proposing fare increases, service cuts and employee layoffs.

"The inadequate funding of public transportation is clearly a statewide issue," Mr. Skoutelas said. "This has been verified by two independent financial and business management reviews over the past year, including those initiated by Governor Rendell that performed a financial assessment of the Port Authority and SEPTA.

"Both of these reviews identified chronic underfunding by the state as the primary reason for the financial crises confronting public transportation providers in Pennsylvania. These reviews, along with the governor, also recognized the Port Authority for its effective efforts to responsibly manage and control its operating expenses."

Port Authority has taken aggressive action to reduce its costs internally before considering fare increase and service changes. These actions have included, among others, hiring, wage and salary freezes, the elimination of 141 jobs, including 57 administrative positions (15 percent of the administrative workforce) and the reduction of many other administrative expenses. Altogether, Port Authority has implemented cost saving measures which have yielded over $145 million in operating savings over the past seven years.

"This crisis can be averted if the state legislature takes immediate action to address this chronic funding problem," Mr. Skoutelas said. "The problem and solution is well known by the General Assembly and the Governor’s Office. There must be a statewide dedicated, predictable and growing source of revenue for public transportation."

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*This report was compiled in part from material provided by PAT and SEPTA