Commuters to Ride Free on 'T' Between Downtown and North Side Stations

The Stadium Authority of Pittsburgh today agreed to permit commuters to ride free on the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s light-rail line between Downtown and the soon-to-open North Side " T" Station.

The new station, which is scheduled to open in March, is located in the Stadium Authority's garage on West General Robinson Street. It has been constructed as part of the Port Authority’s North Shore Connector project to extend light-rail service to the North Side.

The connector project also has involved relocating the Gateway Station Downtown and building a new Allegheny Station near Heinz Field on the North Side. Port Authority commuters already may ride free between Downtown stops on buses and the "T."

“A free, frequent and fast transit link will have the effect of essentially extending the borders of Downtown Pittsburgh,” said Jeremy Waldrup, CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. The service will benefit business commuters and tourists as well as North Shore businesses and sports fans headed to North Side stadiums, he added.

The Port Authority Board of Directors will vote on the three-year agreement in January. The agreement includes an option to extend the arrangement for two additional years.

Under the agreement, the Stadium Authority will pay the Port Authority $160,000 in the first year, $165,000 in the second year and $170,000 in the third year of the agreement. The free rides will be available to the general public as well as patrons of the parking garage that houses the station.

Stadium Authority officials said funds to cover the free fares will come from parking fees generated by the garage on General Robinson Street and from other surface lots owned and managed by the authority and ALCO Parking Corp., which will be sharing costs.

The Stadium Authority plans to end shuttle service between the North Shore and Downtown when the "T" station opens. Costs it saves by discontinuing the shuttle will offset the "T" fares from North Side Station, and the Port Authority will also save on expenses associated with collecting fares at the station

“We see this agreement as a win-win, offering both cost savings to the participating agencies and a host of benefits to Port Authority riders and the community as a whole,” said Port Authority CEO Steve Bland.

“Free T rides between North Side Station and Downtown will encourage more people to use public transit, provide a convenient link between these two areas and contribute to the continuing development on the North Shore.”

County Executive-elect Rich Fitzgerald also praised the arrangement, calling it "tourist-friendly" and an incentive that may help to boost Port Authority ridership. It also will help to promote North Shore development, restaurant and other retail business and alleviate traffic and parking congestion Downtown, he said.

The Port Authority estimates rides between the the North Side and Gateway "T" station will take approximately four minutes. Trains will leave the station about every four minutes during weekday peak times.