It’s now time for the federal government to step up to the plate.
These necessary safety interventions are costly, and COVID-19 is threatening to put our transit agencies on life support. Allegheny County transit riders are calling for emergency federal funding to cover the increased costs associated with COVID-19 and decreased revenue, at a scale comparable to the proposed airline industry bailout. Supermarket clerks, hospital environmental service workers, pharmacy technicians, and nurses still rely on public transit everyday to keep our communities healthy. The COVID-19 crisis has brought into stark relief the need for public transit systems to be considered essential services and as an extension of our healthcare and food system infrastructure. Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader McCarthy and Minority Leader Schumer must ensure that transit is provided the highest level of immediate, direct financial assistance in this forthcoming Emergency Funding Bill, and ensure that this money can be used for transit operations.
Don’t let Covid-19 kill public transit ?? Sign on for a Federal Transit Stimulus NOW
As the Covid-19 outbreak spreads through our communities, we are seeing firsthand how years of disinvestment, defunding, and deregulation are leaving our neighbors struggling to find the essentials they need: transportation, food, housing, healthcare, education, and more. This struggle is real, and our communities are coming together to support each other through our moment of need.
If you’ve been on social media the last week, you’ve no doubt seen many different lists of resources that are being made available to individuals, families, and small businesses. These efforts may be piecemeal, but they are vital for keeping us fed, sheltered, and surviving in a broken system that was never built to support us. Below are a few lists that we’ve found helpful in this time, it is by no means exhaustive. If you have any additions, please send us an email at info@ppt-test.jimkeener.com
All of that said, we cannot lose sight of the transformative opportunity of this moment
As we support each other with care and resources, it is essential that we recognize the transformative opportunity that is present in this moment. Movements for human rights that were impossible 1-week ago are possible today – evictions are frozen, mortgages and student loans are frozen, innocent people held in prison are being released, a universal basic income is moving closer to reality.
We will indeed rebuild our communities from this crisis – that is certain. But in this moment we have the chance to rebuild a system with love and compassion that puts the human rights of people first. Housing, transportation, food, healthcare, wages, childcare; as trillions of public dollars are being moved to help our country recover, we are seeing that yes, there is in fact money to pay for human rights. In this moment we have an opportunity to re-balance the scales and push for investment in people’s needs ahead of corporate profits.
Join PPT and transit riders across the county in making the call for a federal public transit stimulus to keep our communities moving past Covid-19:
Take Action Mon Valley is collecting different resources to distribute to residents throughout the Mon Valley. If you live in the Mon Valley and need resources, or if you are a caring neighbor who as resources to donate, check out their Resource Bank.
A helpful list designed specifically for family needs. With resources from food assistance, utility support, education, emotional support, etc. And a defined point of contact to ask any questions.
Join PPT to connect with our neighbors and make sure their needs are met during this time of Covid-19
The Covid-19 outbreak has laid bare the longer-term crisis of poverty and inequality in our country. Now, more than ever, we need protections for the 140million poor and dispossessed people in the U.S., not billions in bailouts for the wealthy. Join Southwestern PA organizations in the PA Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, for a virtual phonebank 3 different days this week to check-up on our neighbors, connect them with community resources, and invite them to an online screening of the new documentary about the Poor People’s Campaign next Saturday.
Phonebank schedule
Tuesday, 3/24, 3pm-5pm
Wednesday, 3/25, 6pm-8pm
Thursday, 3/26, 3pm-5pm
Each virtual event will begin with a training via this zoom here: https://zoom.us/j/7174265283 OR Dial: 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 717 426 5283
Our virtual phonebank will begin on a Zoom video/phone conference with a short training on local Covid-19 updates, community resources, the PA Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, and logistics for the phonebank. Each phonebanker is encouraged to join on Zoom video through a computer/tablet if possible.
Download zoom here: zoom.us/download#client_4meeting Connect to zoom here before each phonebank: https://zoom.us/j/7174265283 OR Dial: 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 717 426 5283
When you RSVP please let us know if you won’t have access to a computer or tablet so we can set you up.
COVID-19 must not threaten our system. Pittsburghers for Public Transit is joining transit riders across Pennsylvania and the nation to call on our elected representatives to pass a robust transit stimulus package. We need to protect and expand our public transit system during these challenging times so that we can move our communities forward.
Dear Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAAC) Board Members, PA House and Senate Transportation Committee Chairs, PA House Subcommittee on Public Transportation Chairs, the Federal Transportation Administration and Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader McCarthy, and Minority Leader Schumer.
Public transit is a public utility, and an essential extension of our healthcare and food systems.
The COVID-19 crisis has brought into stark relief the need for public transit systems to be considered essential services and as a necessary aspect of our healthcare and food system infrastructure. Public transit moves front line workers in our food and healthcare industries to their critical jobs — nurses, grocery and pharmacy clerks, hospital environmental service workers, pharmacy technicians, food warehouse workers.
Therefore we must provide emergency state and federal funding for transit agencies to cover the fare revenue shortfalls and increased operating needs.
Transit agencies are needing to shoulder the added and neccessary cost of purchase of safety materials, providing sick leave to workers, and increasing cleaning frequency. We must also ensure that there are also sustainable funding mechanisms in place to ensure the viability of public transit after this crisis passes, without cuts to these vital lifelines.
Moreover, given the changing state of emergency surrounding COVID-19, and the rapid response required to mitigate the worst consequences of this new and highly infectious disease, we, the undersigned, call on our transit agencies and elected officials to take the actions outlined below to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and keep transit riders and workers safe. Transit workers are in a position of high exposure to the public and the virus, and we must take all possible measures to ensure that they remain safe and healthy.
FEDERAL AND STATE EMERGENCY AID FOR PENNSYLVANIA TRANSIT AGENCIES
Initial reports from other large transit agencies indicate that the loss of ridership and fare revenue during the upcoming months will threaten the future of transit agencies. Our transit agencies need emergency federal and state funding to cover the increased costs associated with COVID-19 and decreased revenue, at a scale comparable to the proposed airline industry bailout. Additionally, there needs to be a plan in place to ensure the resiliency and sustained funding of our transit agencies after this crisis passes, and a commitment to treating transit service as a necessary public good and utility. The Port Authority of Allegheny County is particularly vulnerable to service cuts after this crisis because our agency disproportionately relies on funding from the Pennsylvania state legislature, which has not identified a revenue stream to address the impending Act 89 financial cliff. With proposed transit service reductions already in the works, it is important that legislators and transit agency board members lay out a commitment and timeline for service restoration after this crisis abates.
The Emergency Funding bill just released by the Senate Majority does not include relief for transit agencies. This is a dangerous omission that will lead to a crisis in our communities, particularly because existing federal funding formulas are designed to address capital needs, not operating needs. Legislators in Washington and Harrisburg must immediately pass relief funding for PAAC and all transit agencies.
INCREASE TRANSIT RIDER AND WORKER SAFETY
We are grateful that PAAC has increased station and vehicle cleaning in response to the pandemic, and have adopted numerous policy measures to ensure the well-being and safety of transit workers and riders.
We ask that Port Authority follow the lead of other transit agencies and implement rear-door boarding and a fare-free system to limit operator exposure. The front area should remain accessible only for riders with disabilities.
IN CONCLUSION
Transit riders and workers are depending on PAAC board members and elected officials to use their political power and influence for the benefit and protection of us all. During this time of Corona-19 crisis, our neighbors, cities, state and country need robust public transit stimulus to keep our communities moving and protect its riders and workers.
Mobility is a human right, but COVID-19 has shown that having sustainable public transit to support workers in vital industries like healthcare and food access is necessary for the survival of us all.
Sincerely,
Pittsburghers for Public Transit Alliance for Police Accountability Amalgamated Transit Union, LOCAL 1743 Casa San Jose CREATE Lab, Carnegie Mellon University Human Rights Coalition Fed-Up! PGH Bus Info Hotline Philly Transit Riders Union Pittsburgh Food Policy Council Pittsburgh Mennonite Church Sierra Club Thomas Merton Center Three Rivers Free Clinic for the People UrbanKind Institute
Join fellow transit riders in making the call for our elected officials and agency to take the steps necessary to protect and support our system and communities.
Each quarter the Port Authority adjusts its transit schedules and routes to account for rider’s requests, ridership shifts, construction, road closures and/or all of the other unexpected hiccups that might affect Pittsburgh roads.
Additionally, Port Authority’s new Bus Stop Consolidation program aims to eliminate 20-30% of stops in the entire system. PPT’s feelings about this program are complicated (Blog 1, Blog 2), but every 6-months PAAC plans to announce plans for stop consolidation on 4-6 new routes. We’re also going to begin including information about this program in these quarterly service adjustment blogs.
The @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline is a volunteer-run twitter account that gives riders updates on Port Authority’s daily happenings. The Hotline has no official connection to the Port Authority (again, it is a volunteer-run twitter account) but the updates are helpful nonetheless. The Hotline is a big supporter of PPT, and an enormous advocate for public transit. We’re thankful for they’re support and happy to share this rundown of the quarterly service changes compiled by the @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline.
Rundown of quarterly Service adjustments, with takeaways from the @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline
The @Bus_Info_Hotline’s overall takeaway is that this Quarterly Service Changes Update is full of Wow factor this time around!
A lot of PPT mini-victories here and other public goods being served this go around.
? So clap along with us cause we’re happy, and building a system for and by its riders.?
Route changes below will go into effect on Sunday, March 15, 2020:
2 – Mount Royal – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed from the timetable to improve on-time performance. Weekend service has been added between Millvale and downtown Pittsburgh via the Strip District.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
The expanded 2 service is amazing! To start on the super positive side, PPT and the Community can claim this as a Victory since Millvale is getting their bus service back on Weekends + holidays! This was part of a community campaign of the organization going back to 2016! Lots of people organized for a long time to make this happen. Thanks to everyone who was involved.
On the downside, the new 2 service only runs a loop through Millvale Loop and leaves out the Royal-Shaler-Etna and McKnight Corridors. Unfortunately, the new weekend service starts way late in the AM and ends too early in the PM. Another concerning trend that we’ve seen is that Port Authority has been making slight changes to improve On Time Performance (OTP) – things like removing bus stops, tweaking headways, removing trips, etc. We’re a little concerned that these small changes will have a big effect on riders. Port Authority should not move to sweep these changes under the rug, no matter how seemingly small. For an example of this, see the changes made last year to routes like the 77 and 69; which now mean that some 69 trips have been skipping Wilmerding, and weekend 77 headways are farther apart and have lost a trip on the weekend.
On the whole, the 2 sees some great changes, but there is room for further improvement.
4 – Troy Hill – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Current schedules with new ones given past treatment of the 77 and 69 routes. Tiny changes that may have a big effect on riders.
12 – McKnight– Schedules have been revised and some time points have been removed from timetable to improve on-time performance.
28X – Airport Flyer – Buses traveling to the airport will not serve Boulevard of the Allies and will remain on Fifth Avenue in Uptown due to construction.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Scheduling revisions due to multiple ongoing as well as planned upcoming short and long term construction projects thru the next 1 to 3 years. Glad they decided to update the schedules instead of leaving bus riders with late buses for the next 3 years.
36 Banksville – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Current schedules with new ones given past treatment of the 77 and 69 routes. Tiny changes that may have a big effect on riders.
38 – Greentree – Trips operating to and from Mt. Lebanon will now operate along Greentree Road and through the West End and Carson Street. Travel times and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance. Some trips have been adjusted to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
At the request of their local elected representatives and with community support West End and the community of Ridgemont have won extra service in the form of rerouted 38M trips! Chalk one for transit advocacy!
41 – Bower Hill – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Current schedules with new ones given past treatment of the 77 and 69 routes. Tiny changes that may have a big effect on riders.
52L – Homeville Limited – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
53 – Homestead Park – Sunday service has been added. Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Another community victory after years of organizing! 53 will begin running 7-days a week with service added on Sundays. When we fight we win!
The only downside is in similar fashion to routes 2, 4, and 60; service will not start until late in the morning and will end far too early in the afternoon (6pm-ish).
We sincerely hope Port Authority extends service hours a bit in a future improvement.
53L – Homestead Park Limited – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
60 – Walnut-Crawford Village – Saturday service has been added. Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
This is definitely a community victory, and one that PPT would have organized for, but it turned out we didn’t have to!
PPT and some amazing operators that work with PPT including amazing West Mifflin operators like Sue Scanlon (who volunteers on PPT’s Coordinating Committee) had previously discussed a PPT Campaign for the 60 however it seems the battle was won before it started.
The 60 will begin running Saturday service but again will suffer like the 2 and 53 from the 11 FINEVIEW syndrome only worse. A Saturday schedule that feels like a Sunday schedule yet starts late in the morning and stops way too early for a Saturday. The biggest disappointment on the 60 is when they implied weekend service some expected Sunday too.
We sincerely hope PAAC will look at more services in future improvements or at a bare minimum making the schedule on the Saturday more in line with actual real Saturday service
67 – Monroeville – Weekend service has been extended to CCAC’s Boyce Campus.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Great news for CCAC students and most especially folks working or traveling to UPMC East Hospital or even past Monroeville Mall.
Complete weekend schedule revisions and the announcements that 7 day a week service is being established beyond Monroeville Mall
The only disappointment is this expansion doesn’t do much to increase the span of service but Weekend riders will likely appreciate having options now
68 – Braddock Hills – Will no longer operate on the weekends. Weekend service will instead be provided by the P68. Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Route essentially eliminated, but don’t Panic because of the new news on the P68. Read on to learn more!
Will run 7 days a week and provide a “1 seat ride with no transfer needed” for folks all along the 68/P68 route. ALL 68 trips have been converted to P68 – WHICH DOES IN FACT SERVICE THE EAST BUSWAY FULLY INBOUND, from Hay Street Ramp to Penn Station. The only exception being Wilkinsburg.
Unfortunately outbound still retains it’s stricter stop restrictions (see @PGH_BUS_INFO Twitter for an ongoing petition to remove nuscience stop restrictions).
The other upside to this 68/P68 expansion is its another prime example of expansion and modifications done the right way by PAAC. These changes effectively expand service hours on Braddock Hills service to a little past 9pm on Saturday’s (long overdue but still not late enough) and around 9pm on Sunday. It also adds a helper bus on the East Busway in between abysmal P1 service.
71 – Edgewood Town Center – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Unfortunately, we remain disappointed to see that 71 trips still after years of pleading have not yet been converted to P71 and that 71 as well as P71 service and direct services to Edgewood Towne Center still end way to early in our opinion. It remains our hope that someday 71 or P71 can run all day via ETC on Weekdays till say 11pm and hopefully gain lost weekend service it’s predecessors had.
G3 – Moon Flyer – Morning outbound and evening inbound trips have been modified to provide service to Cherrington Parkway.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
An out of nowhere but pretty good community surprise. Beginning in March reverse commute trips will begin serving Cherrington Corporate Center like the old 28K days. Our disappointment though is it’s a limited service only on reverse commutes and also does very little for the Airside Industrial Business Park on the opposite side of a non-pedestrian friendly higher or for the still underserved University Blvd and Robert Morris College parts of the Moon corridor
We hope more improvements can be forthcoming someday.
O5 – Thompson Run Flyer – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed from timetable to improve on-time performance.
O12 – McKnight Flyer – New service was added traveling outbound in the morning and inbound in the evening along Babcock Boulevard and Perry Highway and serving CCAC’s North Hills campus. Seven additional outbound AM trips and two inbound PM trips have been added to better connect the North Hills with downtown Pittsburgh.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Another PPT Victory AND Community Victory! Previously part of PPT’s “Perry Highway Campaign”. After years of fighting, begging, pleading, suggestions and more PAAC has graciously used the 012 to restore some modicum of service to CCAC NORTH Campus and a sliver of Perry HWY that includes Pines Plaza, Manor Care, Northland Library, CCAC, and some walk-ability to Ingomar Road, Highland Road, Memorial Drive, and Sheetz.
Unfortunately this service is ONLY on reverse commute trips but for pass or multi-use fare product riders just barely navicable during peak/rush hours. We do hope that Mid-Day , evening and eventually other options are considered for Perry HWY + CCAC North
The other upside to this change is 012 will see some expanded service hours in both AM and PM Rush.
P7 – McKeesport Flyer – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Disappointed to see that no nonpeak service is added as of yet…
P12 – Holiday Park Flyer – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Disappointed to see no later morning or later evening trips and no added reverse commute trips but hopeful for the future
P13 Mount Royal Flyer – Some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Again disappointed that no reverse commutes added, yet disappointed the route still hasn’t returned to using the East Busway and Washington Blvd and disappointed no later AM OR PM trips added yet.
P71 – Swissvale Flyer – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Again as previously stated disappointed that no Midday – PM Evening or weekend services added but hopeful for the future
Blue Line Library – The Blue Line Library has been renamed the Silver Line Library to avoid confusion with the Blue Line South Hills Village.
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
The hippest change on the list which Port Authority even has a small ad campaign for. Beginning in March the T gets an extra Silver Lining both literally and figuratively.
Yes. in case you haven’t heard the news; it’s shiny, it’s spiffy, and new.. the Blue Line Library ( BLLB ) becomes SILVER LINE Library!!! WOW! Mind blown?
The change had been considered in the past but wasn’t a top priority. The change is being made to hopefully lesson rider confusion by patrons that confuse the 2 current Blue Line variations and we gotta say the name and new schedules and signage look pretty swanky.
So when your S Hills commute is looking a little blue remember Port Authority has that silver lining!
Rundown of Quarterly Stop Consolidation, with takeaways from the @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline
@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline’s takeaway:
Riders have been making their voices heard in their call for a better process on Bus Stop Consolidation! They were able to slow down the process – PAAC moved their program to a 6-month timeline. This will give more time to better improve how they’re including riders as leaders in shaping the process. Check out PPT’s blog on this here.
This was an exciting quarter of Additionally, there may be more unexpected PPT Victory forthcoming such as 2 Mt Royal-Millvale on weekends and holidays 60 On Weekends and holidays and other positive changes between that. And keep on the lookout for potentially starting 24/7 service on a few routes next fall 2019 to 2020!
It looks to be another amazing year at PortAuthority and for riders despite a few missteps. We applaud the authority for continued system improvements but remind them that continued improvements must not stop or slow down!
Port Authority Customer Service can be reached via twitter, the website or a phonecall: 412-442-2000
The @PGH_BUS_INFO Hotline can be reached by phone @ 412-759-3335 ONLY When PortAuthority Customer Service is Closed/unavailable
The PGH Bus Info Hotline will be back on PPT’s blog in for the next set of Quarter Service Adjustments. See ya then! (And if you want, you can check out 2019’s changes in these blogs: Q4 changes here,Q3 changes here, Or Q2’s changes here)
PPT members are creating a graphic novel series on transit justice, and we want you to join in
PPT Members are planning big things for our March General Meeting. Together we’re creating a Transit Justice Graphic Novel series. The first topic will be on #FairFares. How will the world be different when we have organized and won #FairFares for everyone in Allegheny County? Join us at our March General Meeting to start the process with a creative brainstorm: March 11, 6pm Social Hour // 7pm General Meeting, 1 Smithfield St. A team of artists will help us sketch out the future of transit justice.
An expanded, accessible transit network to connect our region and beyond? A full fleet of electric buses? Walkable communities with family-owned businesses and affordable housing? A system without fares? A Green New Deal moved forward by transit labor? A transit agency led by its riders? Robust transit funding with corporations paying their fair share? Intersectional coalitions that organize boldly for collective liberation?
The true freedom to move?
Meeting 1: Transit Justice Graphic Novel Brainstorm March 11 // 6pm Social Hour // 7pm General Meeting 1 Smithfield Street
Led by our members, PPT is moving to create a 4-part graphic novel series to tell the story of how our future transit system looks when riders & operators have organized and won campaigns for transit equity.
Through a series of moderated brainstorming workshops, PPT members will develop a shared vision of how our communities are transformed by deep rider-led organizing. We’ll work together with writers and artists connected to the movement to create a story that actually illustrates what this future looks like.
The first meeting is March 11th to focus on a #FairFares future. Join us to brainstorm ideas and get involved in the project. More dates to come.
On March 12th from 6 pm to 8 pm, PPT will hold a community meeting to plan next steps on the Beyond the East Busway Campaign. We want you and your neighbors involved!
Pittsburghers for Public Transit is working with communities on a rider-led campaign to extend the East Busway through the Mon Valley to McKeesport, and the Eastern Suburbs to Monroeville. Over this past summer, we rolled out a community-driven transit planning tool and organizing fellowship in order to solicit input from the community on what they wanted the future of their transit to look like. With the help of our fellows, we surveyed over 500 residents in the corridor. On March 12th, we want to share the data with you, and make the plan to win.
Beyond the East Busway Campaign Planning Meeting March 12, 6-8pm Pittsburgh Mennonite Church Easy access via East Busway routes, 61A, 59, or 61B. Shoot an email if you need help with a ride: info@ppt-test.jimkeener.com
Volunteer to help PPT Phonebank on 3/5 to turn out advocates
We’re reaching out to all 500 neighbors who live in the Mon Valley & Monroeville to invite them to the planning meeting on 3/12. Help us call through these numbers – and get some FREE PIZZA too! We’ll meet at the Thomas Merton Center, 3/5, from 5pm to 8pm. Please bring a cell phone and computer if you have it.
On February 20th, 2020 Port Authority announced that it would slow down on its plan to consolidate bus stops along all 97 of its bus routes. Instead of evaluating new routes for stop consolidation every 3-months, it will move to a 6-month schedule. This is no doubt a win for riders. The slower schedule will allow Port Authority more time to retool their approach to bus stop consolidation, and it will give riders more time to have their voices heard.
Port Authority has taken steps to improve its stop consolidation program since its initial roll-out in September. But this is in no small part due to the organized efforts of hundreds of riders in Carrick, North Side, Garfield, Bloomfield and the rest of the county – publishing opinion pieces, attending meetings, canvassing riders on buses, and submitting feedback.
Port Authority needs to use this momentum to continue improving its process to build a system that supports all of its riders.
Steps forward toward bus stop consolidation that works for all riders:
1. Port Authority needs to define success.
What are the specific goals of bus stop consolidation? A 10% increase to on-time performance? A 5-minute decrease in route run-time? More even stop spacing? Having more bus stops in the system comply with the Port Authority’s bus stop infrastructure guidelines?
Conversely, are there metrics that would have the program be put on hold or even reversed? For instance, what if the data showed a 2% decrease in overall ridership or a 5% reduction in usage by persons with disabilities?
It’s problematic that the Port Authority appears to be using the bus stop consolidation process to eliminate stops that have poor infrastructure rather than seeking to work with municipalities to improve bus stop infrastructure when deficiencies are identified. This should never be the case. Cars are parked illegally at bus stops? Install bollards and paint. Speeding traffic? Lower the speed limit. Dangerous street crossing? Paint high-viz crosswalks. There are low-cost ways to improve pedestrian safety, rather than forcing riders to walk further in unsafe conditions.
2. Show riders actual real-life improvements to their trips
We’ve heard that the Port Authority doesn’t believe that bus riders are willing to give feedback unless their stops are the ones being eliminated. The problem is the Port Authority has not said what exactly the trade-off is. Riders are being asked to limit their entry and exit points into the system, what are they getting in return?
Beyond defining success, Port Authority needs to approach this process from the perspective of a rider. How will improvements to on-time performance translate into meaningful user benefits? It’s worth noting that in Port Authority’s 2018 Rider Survey, riders were mostsatisfied with Port Authority’s bus service getting them to their destination in a reasonable amount of time (86%), and 80% were satisfied with Port Authority’s on-time performance. Indeed, if riders are using apps & texting to check arrival times, then on-time performance is hardly perceptible, particularly if we’re talking about a minute or two difference. What is instead very noticeable to riders is how much further they have to walk, on widely-varying sidewalk infrastructure and in all types of weather to access their new stops. Can riders expect increased service frequency with any operating savings? Is there a plan for bus shelter installations at the remaining stops?
Eliminating 20-25% of stops should not be considered an end in itself. It cannot be the single published metric for Port Authority staff to determine how many stops are slated for removal on any given route. Instead, Port Authority should be assessing the proximity of specific stops to one another, adjacent amenities, sidewalk/safe crossing infrastructure between stops and to nearby destinations, slope, bus stop usage etc, and then decide how many and which stops to eliminate, if any. Which brings us to our next point:
3. In the selection of bus stops to be removed, Port Authority needs to show their work.
There have been some baffling stops selected for removal during the consolidation process of the 16, 51, 48 and 88, and the average proposed spacing now between stops far exceeds Port Authority’s own bus stop guidelines and is now random and uneven. Port Authority should lay out the specific data points being considered during the bus stop selection process and assign a weight to each point. Port Authority should also clearly state how rider or stakeholder (business/social service agency/housing development) feedback will inform the decision-making in the final selection process.Is there additional consideration given to different bus stop users (older adults, children, riders with disabilities) and uses (such as proximity to a hospital, senior center or grocery store)?
Port Authority should share how many responses they have received about specific bus stops slated for removal. Riders or other stakeholders will be discouraged from weighing in if it’s not apparent that the feedback is being heard and responded to. And Port Authority should consider providing the bus stops elimination list to community organizations along a route prior to posting the individual stops. This would permit these organizations to point out specifics regarding stop use that may have gone unseen by Port Authority staff.
Port Authority also needs to gather and present data on the real impacts of bus stop consolidation on riders, and report it on a regular basis. This data should be measured against the Port Authority goals for the project as well as against their Title VI obligations to ensure that there are not disparate impacts on protected classes (low-income communities, people with disabilities, people of color, older adults, etc).
4. Finally, Port Authority needs to compare apples to apples in its evaluation of bus stop consolidation. Every effort should be made to ensure comparative data is not skewed and that comparisons are fair and legitimate.
We understand that there are several simultaneous efforts being undertaken to improve on-time performance, including modifying bus schedules to more accurately reflect run times and recent efforts to enforce operators leaving the garages at the scheduled time. Moreover, traffic congestion has the single biggest impact on on-time performance, which is widely variable during the winter months due to inclement weather, college school schedules, and holiday travel days. Data that evaluates the change in on-time performance of consolidated routes should also be compared against other routes’ historic and current run times, to have a clear picture of what run-time improvements are attributable solely to the bus stop consolidation effort.
On February 4th, to celebrate Rosa Parks’ birthday and National Transit Equity Day, over 60 attendees gathered to launch the new #FairFares Coalition & Policy Platform. The platform is the culmination of years of advocacy and efforts by thousands of riders– canvassing, signing petitions, mailing postcards, rallying, testifying for fare equity and decriminalization of fare enforcement.
The #FairFares policy is put forward at a critical moment as the Port Authority begins its public outreach to collect feedback on its fare structure. It is vital for riders to use these public meetings to put forward a progressive vision and values to guide Port Authority in its work.
Endorse the #FairFares Platform
For equity, for dignity, for freedom to move.
Read the full platform below and sign your name to support.
#FairFares: its what our county needs to make transit accessible for all
Guiding principles on which the coalition puts forward this campaign:
Public transit is a public utility and a human and civil right. Public transit can not be structured as a fee-for-service model or as a business. Riders create a healthier and more sustainable environment in Allegheny County by choosing public transit over single-occupancy vehicles.
Corporations and large regional non-profits must pay their fair share of the cost of funding public transit because they disproportionately benefit from the service. Fares must not be a primary mechanism for funding public transit.
Fares must not be a barrier to access to public transit,so policies must be enacted to eliminate any barriers due to cost, convoluted cost structures, inaccessible fare payment systems, and hostile or overly punitive fare enforcement policies. Fares must be equitable, effectively communicated, and easily accessible to people regardless of income, age, race, gender, ability, language, geographical location, and immigration status. The current fare structure disproportionately impacts classes that must be protected by civil rights law.
#FairFares Campaign Policy Proposals
Guided by these principles, riders and the #FairFares Coalition worked to research and document dozens of opportunities for improvement to the transit fare system along four central planks: fare cost, fare enforcement, fare payment processes, and fare incentive programs.
Each plank begins by documenting the current conditions for Port Authority riders. Before layout out the #FairFares Coalition’s values for the plank. Finally, each plank goes on to lay out both short-term and long-term goals to improve the fare system for riders and for our communities.
1. Fare Cost (What people pay for fares)
How is the system currently structured?
$2.50 on Connect Card
$2.75 with cash
$1.00 for first transfer under the CONNECT card within 3 hours
Cash users pay full fare for each transfer
$1.25 fare for riders with disabilities
$1.25 fare for children 6-12
Free for seniors and children under 6.
Cost is bundled into the tuition for university students at Pitt, Chatham University and CMU. Free for PPS students.
Fare Cost: #FairFares Coalition Values
No one should be prohibited from taking transit because of the cost.
Fare structure must center the most vulnerable people, and not privilege the commutes or access to the basic needs of those with the most resources.
Fare Cost: Short-term Goals
Free transfers
Fare capping (CONNECT card automatically converts to a daily/weekly/monthly/yearly pass when the cost of the pass is paid in single uses.)
Ubiquitous access to the CONNECT card, but cash fares should be the same as CONNECT card fares in the interim
Fare Cost: Long-term Goals
Low-income fare program
Free transit for people under 18
Free fares for riders with disabilities
Free fares system-wide by 2030
2. Fare Payment Process (How people pay and access fares)
How is the system currently structured?
Riders can pay via cash, ConnectCard, Senior Pass, Student Pass, and Discount pass
ConnectCards can be purchased from a Giant Eagle and other authorized vendors, at the Port Authority Transit Center, at CONNECT Card kiosks, or online.
Port Authority Mobile App is pending.
Fare Payment Process: #FairFares Coalition Values
Fare payment must be easily accessible and equitable for everyone in all forms regardless of socio-economic status, language, ability, banking status, proximity to CONNECT card kiosks, and access to the internet. Cash payment must always be an option.
Passes that start when you tap not by the calendar.
Fare Payment Process: Long-term Goals
Ability to load fares onto cards while on the bus
Ability to pay for multiple fares and fare types on 1 card
Ability to access money loaded onto your CONNECT Card immediately.
Fare payment process must be compatible with transit agencies across the 10 County region, ACCESS and Healthy Ride
Policy of fare payment before boarding on the station platform must be implemented on the T, the busways and the future BRT (also known as off-board fare payment).
CONNECT card kiosks must have several language options.
There needs to be a reporting mechanism for documenting broken CONNECT card machines.
3. Enforcement of Fare Payments
How is the system currently structured?
The first offense is documented but not prosecuted. The second offense can result in up to a $300 criminal penalty for criminal trespass. The third offense can result in a misdemeanor and up to 30 days in jail. All incidents are run through the police database.
There is no appeal process within Port Authority.
Armed Port Authority police enforce fare payment, but any fines paid or criminal proceedings take place in the municipality where the incident occurred.
Enforcement of Fare Payment: #FairFares Coalition Values
Everyone deserves to be safe on transit
Non-payment should lead to additional resources, not punishment
Enforcement must be done equitably
Enforcement of Fare Payment: Short-term Goals
Civilian, multilingual fare “ambassadors” rather than armed police fare enforcers.
Make fare evasion a non-criminal offense, like parking violations, with low fines and community service as an option.
Port Authority should have a policy of non-communication with ICE
Enforcement of Fare Payment: Long-term Goals
Civilian fare ambassadors, when encountering possible fare evasion, should instead direct riders on how to pay their fare, and help riders who are eligible for low-income fares sign up for the program.
Riders should have the option to load any fines levied as a result of fare evasion directly onto the rider’s CONNECT Card.
There needs to be a public, annual audit of fare enforcement impact across gender, race, ability, and economic status.
Port Authority needs to implement independent civilian oversight commissions for fare ambassadors and Port Authority police.
4. Fare Incentive Programs
How is the system currently structured?
Bus passes are purchased in bulk for CMU and Pitt students. The Universities are charged 50% per use.
Pre-tax transit passes available through some employers
Pittsburgh Public School purchases in bulk for high school students
Fare Incentive Programs: #FairFares Coalition Values
Incentive programs make public transit a more convenient and attractive transportation option than single-occupancy vehicles
Fare incentive programs should be designed to increase ridership, not profit.
Programs need to center vulnerable and protected classes, and redistribute the cost of fares onto corporations, developers, and other agencies.
Fare Incentive Programs: Short-term Goals
Shakespeare Giant Eagle campaign: Calling for parking reductions to pay for bulk bus passes for residents, deepened housing affordability, food justice goals and bike/ped improvements.
Regular Free Fare Days over the Summer of 2021 funded by the Health Department’s Clean Air Fund.
Fare Incentive Programs: Long-term Goals
Enable bulk transit pass packages for corporations, events and conferences, cultural orgs, universities, and developers.
Discount pricing for off-peak hours and weekends to bolster ridership
Family passes
Free transit on RADical days funded by the County RAD tax.
“Equitable Transit Funding” graphic from Meg Flores
Are you an activist-minded illustrator or graphic novelist? A movement artist who is skilled at sketch-noting? Looking to make a little extra money and help out a good cause at the same time?
PPT wants to visualize the future of transit justice and we need you.
An expanded, accessible transit network to connect our region and beyond? A full fleet of electric buses? Walkable communities with family-owned businesses and affordable housing? A system without fares? A Green New Deal moved forward by transit labor? A transit agency led by its riders? Robust transit funding with corporations paying their fair share? Intersectional coalitions that organize boldly for collective liberation?
The true freedom to move?
Led by our members, PPT is moving to create a 4-part graphic novel series to tell the story of how our future transit system looks when riders & operators have organized and won campaigns for transit equity. Through a series of moderated brainstorming workshops, PPT members will develop a shared vision of how our communities are transformed by deep rider-led organizing. We’ll work together with writers and artists connected to the movement to create a story that actually illustrates what this future looks like.
We are currently putting a call out for two types of contract-based artist/organizer positions.
?POC, womyn, femmes, young folks, differently-abled people, and LGBTQ people are highly encouraged to apply:?
Sketch-note artists // three to twelve positions available // a commitment of 3-12 hours @ $20/hr // We need activist-minded artists who will listen closely as the members of our organization articulate their visions of what the best future public transportation would look like in our town. While that’s happening, artists will draw those visions in the form of sketch-notes that are clear, vibrant, energetic and evocative. Finally, we’ll debrief with the other artists about what members said and answer questions to help the Lead Graphic Novelist pull together our cohesive vision.
Lead Graphic Novelist & Facilitator // one to four positions available // $400 per Graphic Novel // Should be movement artists with experience facilitating organizing conversations. These people will work with PPT staff & Communications Committee to design & facilitate the brainstorm sessions with members. They will debrief with the other artists after the workshop. And will be responsible for incorporating the ideas of all members and artists into a collective graphic novel that will inspire future transit activists!
⚡?⚡ All artists should come ready for deep collaboration & ideation. ⚡?⚡
Our first brainstorm session is scheduled for March 11th, 7pm at 1 Smithfield Street.
PPT members will be selecting the artists democratically. So applicants should be ready to have their work shared, and be available for a quick interview.
Additionally, we’ll do a prep call with the entire artist team before our brainstorm workshop. And a team debrief after the activity on the 11th.
Got questions? Contact Dan Yablonsky at 551-206-3320 or dan@ppt-test.jimkeener.com with your info, samples, and the positions you’re interested in.
