Patch Poll: How Would Proposed Port Authority Cuts Affect You?

By its own admission, the Port Authority of Allegheny County is proposing "devastating" service cuts, layoffs and fare increases that, if enacted, would affect residents of nearly every community in the county.

The agency plans to hold a daylong public hearing Wednesday to seek public comment on its proposal, which follows a 15 percent service cut nearly a year ago. The latest proposal would:

• Eliminate 46 of its 102 existing bus routes and sharply reduce service on other routes in September. Moon, Edgeworth, the Pittsburgh International Airport corridor and communities throughout the North Hills are among those that would lose service.

• Increase fares on the remaining routes by 25 cents and 50 cents on July 1.

• Eliminate up to 600 jobs.

• Cut out one-third of the territory served by ACCESS paratransit, which provides transportation for people with disabilities. 

Port Authority officials say they need to cut costs and raise fares in order to address a potential $64 million budget hole and what they term as a "lack of dedicated funding for transportation at the state level." They plan to take testimony from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Those interested in speaking may claim a few remaining slots in the schedule by calling 412-566-5437, or TTY line 412-231-7007, or by registering at the hearing. Speakers will be limited to three-minute presentations.

Comments also may be submitted to the Port Authority until 4 p.m. March 9 through its website or by mail sent to Port Authority Fare & Service Proposals, Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Floor 3, Pittsburgh PA, 15222-2527.

How would these service cuts affect you?  How should the Port Authority and state officials resolve once and for all the funding issues that spur repeated service cuts affecting the region's commuters?

What do you think? Tell us in the comments.