Feeder Buses Could Save More PAT Bus Service
As the first of seven public speakers before the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of Allegheny County Friday morning (April 27), long-time public transit advocate Glenn A. Walsh proposed using feeder buses to save Port Authority funds, which could be used to preserve additional bus service.
In a prepared statement, Mr. Walsh said, "With the great success of the North Shore Connector and feeder bus
routes 14 and 18, Port Authority costs could be reduced by greatly increasing
feeder bus lines. With feeder bus lines, you would eliminate the time and money
wasted when buses crawl through Downtown traffic, particularly during rush
hours. This would be a much more efficient means of providing the same transit
service."
Here is Mr. Walsh's complete statement:
Statement before Glenn A. Walsh
Board of Directors, P.O.
Box 1041
Port Authority of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15230-1041 U.S.A.
Allegheny County: Telephone:
412-561-7876
Good morning. I am Glenn A. Walsh, 633 Royce Avenue, Mt. Lebanon, a
regular Light Rail and bus rider who has chosen not to drive a motor
vehicle since 1985, to help save energy, protect the environment, and reduce
city traffic congestion. I have been an active transit advocate for more than
30 years, including 3 terms on the Allegheny County Transit Council as a
Charter Member. Today, my comments are my own and do not reflect those of any
organization.
A 35 percent cut in transit service would devastate many people in
Allegheny County. Money must be found to reduce, if not eliminate, these
proposed cuts.
With the great success of the North Shore Connector and feeder bus
routes 14 and 18, Port Authority costs could be reduced by greatly increasing
feeder bus lines. With feeder bus lines, you would eliminate the time and money
wasted when buses crawl through Downtown traffic, particularly during rush
hours. This would be a much more efficient means of providing the same transit
service.
Ø Bus routes that circle
Allegheny Center or Allegheny Commons Park could feed into the North Side
Subway Station.
Ø Most West End buses could feed
into the Allegheny Station. Route G2 would continue on Carson Street, to serve
The Duquesne Incline, and terminate near the Gateway Subway Station.
Ø South Busway buses could feed
into the T at South Hills Junction.
Ø A consolidation of routes 40
and 43 could circulate on Mt. Washington and feed into the Monongahela Incline,
with free transfer to the T.
Ø Routes 48 and 51, and perhaps
other South Side bus lines, could feed into the T at Station Square.
Ø Many East End bus routes could
feed into the Steel Plaza Subway Station, while Mon Valley bus routes could
feed into the First Avenue Station.
Ø East Hills bus routes could
feed into the Wilkinsburg Station.
Money could be saved by implementing such feeder bus service. This
money could be used to preserve some bus service now slated for elimination.
Even if some State money is eventually forthcoming, it may not be the
entire $64 million needed. Implementation of a feeder bus system could provide
the additional funds necessary to keep more buses on the road.
Even if you vote today to approve the proposed service cuts, please
evaluate the financial viability of this feeder bus system proposal.
Thank you.
gaw
At this link is a Large Print version of the public statement:
>>>
http://andrewcarnegie2.tripod.com/transit/pat/statements/ST-PAT_-servicecuts2012-4-27LP.htm
gaw
Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director,
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