As I wrote in some early posts, I relied on public transportation to get to my last job and I still rely on it to get to current volunteer activities, interviews, career counseling sessions, and networking meetings. The proposed, drastic cuts in public transit across the state would affect thousands of riders. Here’s an article about the cuts in the current PA Wants to Work newsletter that I wrote along with Dave Ninehouser:
TRANSIT CUTS WILL DEVASTATE PITTSBURGH AND REGION
The recovery is threatened and thousands of jobs are on the line if the governor doesn’t act.
In September, up to 40 of 90 bus and T routes will be either cut or reduced unless Governor Corbett fully funds public transit in the Pittsburgh region — and beginning in July fares for all public transit will be increased.
Last summer, the governor’s own commission on transportation issued a report with recommendations to address the state’s transportation and infrastructure crisis. Both Republicans and Democrats in Harrisburg are in agreement with the commission’s findings, but Corbett refuses to lead on this urgent issue and instead insists that the public transit problems are a local problem for Pittsburgh alone.
Port Authority of Allegheny County faces a budget shortfall of $64 million and unless the governor comes through with the necessary funding 45,000 bus and T riders in the Pittsburgh area will be unable to get to work, visit their doctor, shop at small businesses, and, potentially, come into the city for evening sporting events or concerts.
PAWW, along with We Are One, is holding actions throughout the city and surrounding area to make riders aware of these drastic cuts and what they mean for workers, businesses and our region’s ability to thrive and survive. Watch for emails from Dave Ninehouser to find out where and when you can help get out the message.
YOUR VOICE IS URGENTLY NEEDED: Call Governor Corbett’s office (at 412-565-5700 or 717-787-2500) and let him know that you want him to FULLY FUND public transit. Don’t stop Pittsbnurgh in it’s tracks – keep our region moving forward!
PA Wants to Work, along with concerned residents of Allegheny County, members of the faith community, community organizations, and civic leaders are holding a rally on February 29th to save public transportation in our region outside the David Lawrence Convention Center at noon.
And here’s a cartoon commentary on what could happen if public transit in Pennsylvania is not adequately funded:
