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January 1, 2007
The Port Authority is talking about dramatic cuts in service and staff that could mean big problems if you rely on public transportation to get around.
The Port Authority spelled out what it calls a "crisis" in letters sent out to legislative and community leaders.
In those letters, the Port Authority calls the matter serious.
It is projecting a $75 million deficit next year without dramatic changes.
How dramatic?
Sources tell KDKA that plans are on the table to possibly cut hundreds of employees and hundreds of bus routes.
In one district, plans call for eliminating or reducing 45 of 63 routes.
The most highly affected areas would include: Allegheny Valley, McKeesport, Monroeville, North Versailles, Port Vue and the Turtle Creek Valley.
People who ride the buses there have strong feelings about potential cutbacks.
"I don't want the buses to cut back, cause I take the bus to work," said Melvina Strver of Duquesne. "I take the bus to school..I need the bus, I really do."
"There's a lot of people that travel the bus, that use the bus from this area and surrounding areas and it's going to be terrible," said Renee Smith of Glassport.
Port Authority officials say the route eliminations would include local, express, and minibus services, including most McKeesport minibus routes.
A large number of commuter express trips to downtown will also be eliminated.
All of this happening is in State Senator Sean Logan's district.
"This is a real funding crisis for the Port Authority," said Logan. "This is not them crying wolf."
Logan says the Port Authority is broken down.
Health care, pensions, salaries, too much state money, not enough fare box and county money and now a plan to cut or reduce 45 of 63 routes in his district.
"There's a crisis," said Logan. "It's going to hit my residents hard. Everybody needs to come to the table and try to solve the crisis before we have to lay off 500/600 people, before we have to do 25 percent cuts across the board."
The cuts, if and when they happen, will be across the region including downtown.
Sources tell KDKA that details of major cuts will come down Wednesday morning.
Right now everything is on the table -- out there for possible cuts.
Sources tell KDKA that there will be cuts in legacy costs --- healthcare and pension benefits for employees.
There is also discussion right now of job cuts of hundreds of employees and major service cuts.
Some believe these are only scare tactics to get more money from Harrisburg… but others say it is for real this time.
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