PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Early this summer, just before their recess a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania law makers introduced legislation that moves the state a long way toward establishing a more reliable and stable source of dedicated revenue for public transit operations all across the commonwealth.

Senate Bill 1162 and its companion House Bill 2697 will increase state funding for public transit by $282 million. The Port Authority’s share of this will be around $64 million. Absent these bills bus and light rail riders in Allegheny County will likely face major service cuts in 2005 so that the Port Authority can balance its $30 deficit budget as state statute requires. As almost happened in FY03-04 the service cuts implemented by the Port Authority would about destroy all weekend and night time bus and light rail service.

On Monday, September 13th, members of the transit advocacy group Save Our Transit rallied at the City-County Building downtown to support the two bills.

[ Photos 1 2 ] [ Initial Announcement | 2 ] [ Rally Audio ]