Pittsburgh Regional Transit already has heard from more than 4,000 people about its proposed massive service cuts, but more than 80 more are scheduled to talk to the agency Thursday.
The agency is holding its final public hearing on the service reductions — which would cut 35% of all service, eliminate 41 bus routes, provide no service after 11 p.m. and increase the basic fare by 25 cents to $3 beginning in February — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh.
The hearing comes as PRT and other transit agencies continue efforts with transit advocates to persuade the state Legislature to increase the state’s transit subsidy for the first time in 12 years. Without a substantial increase, agencies that have gotten by the past couple of years due to emergency federal funding during the pandemic say cuts are inevitable.
The Republican-controlled state Senate, in particular, has been reluctant to provide more transit funding because members say 87% of the money goes to agencies in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas. Agencies and advocates counter that transit agencies in all counties are struggling for money and the billions spent at PRT and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority buy products produced across the state and generate taxes and additional spending from thousands of employees that benefit every area of Pennsylvania.
The state budget is scheduled to be approved by June 30, but passage often has been delayed for weeks.
PRT proposed its service cuts as part of a 10-year budget outlook released last month with the expectation of a deficit of more than $100 million next year. That plan assumes no additional state funds and would make substantial cuts all at once in February rather than spread them out over several years so that riders will have consistent service as long as possible after the changes.
PRT spokesman Adam Brandolph said Wednesday the agency will take into consideration testimony from riders at two previous public hearings as well as individual comments submitted either online or by mail. The agency is limited in the changes it can make in the proposal because it can’t increase costs, Brandolph said, so any restoration in one area would require a cut in another area.
“Our riders don’t want us to cut service, and we don’t want to cut service,” he said. “Our planning department has looked to find a plan where the lowest number of people will be impacted by these cuts. At the end of the day, it’s what number do we have to get to to make [the system] work.
“We shouldn’t have to do this. The state should provide enough money to provide the service the public deserves.”
The agency will continue to take comments on its website or by mail through June 18.
The agency’s board of directors is expected to take final action on its proposed $538.9 million budget that would include four months of reduced service when it meets June 27. If the state provides additional funding later, it can amend the budget and decide whether it has enough money to restore all or part of the proposed cuts later.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.