Outrage Over Pittsburgh Transit Agency Implosion

The city's Port Authority has proposed cutting 25 percent of its bus and rail service and hiking fares by 75 cents to plug an $80 million budget deficit.

1 minute read

January 25, 2007, 8:00 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"More than 140 people on foot and in wheelchairs testified at four-hour sessions at the Hilton Pittsburgh, Downtown, and later at the University of Pittsburgh's Alumni Hall in Oakland. They expressed anguish, outrage and frustration over the planned elimination of 124 of 213 bus routes, combined with a fare hike, to address an $80 million budget deficit for the 2007-08 fiscal year that begins July 1."

"With the support of Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, the authority is proposing the deepest cuts in its 43-year history to "right-size" the agency -- that is, cut expenses, which have been growing three times as fast as inflation, to match stagnant revenues. They have said that to do nothing would be irresponsible and put the authority at risk of shutting down."

"Mike Edwards, executive director of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, representing interests from restaurants to office buildings, said while "tough changes" may be necessary, they should be only the first step in restructuring the agency.

Otherwise, he said, the changes will negatively affect Downtown at a time when city officials are trying to create a "24/7 city" including expanded housing. He said losing transit will also hurt the hospitality industry and add to traffic congestion."

Tuesday, January 23, 2007 in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Close-up of green ULEZ sign in London, UK.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution

Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

March 10, 2025 - Smart Cities World

Burned car and home in Los Angeles after 2019 wildfire.

The Unseen Aftermath: Wildfires’ Lasting Health and Emotional Burden

Wildfires in Los Angeles not only pose immediate physical health risks but also lead to long-term respiratory problems and mental health struggles, underscoring the need for a coordinated public health response to mitigate their lasting effects.

March 16 - UCLA Health

View of Central Park lake with people sitting on lakeside rocks and NYC high-rises in background.

Public Parks as Climate Resilience Tools

Designed with green infrastructure, parks can mitigate flooding, reduce urban heat, and enhance climate resilience, offering cost-effective solutions to environmental challenges while benefiting communities.

March 16 - Grist

Cyclists and a red T train on the Longfellow Bridge in Boston, MA at sunset.

What the Proposed Federal Budget Means for Transit, Rail

The proposed FY 2025 budget keeps spending for public transit and passenger rail essentially the same as in 2024.

March 16 - American Public Transportation Association

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.