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Pittsburgh Transit Blog
Topic Started: Aug 27 2009, 06:50 PM (21,952 Views)
Jayayess1190
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Connector to ease Downtown congestion

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About 200 fewer buses will crowd Downtown streets on an average weekday when light-rail cars on the T begin using the $523.4 million North Shore Connector in March, officials said Wednesday.

"That was one of our objectives when we started this project -- to reduce congestion on Downtown streets," said Port Authority of Allegheny County CEO Steve Bland.

Bland said the agency will adjust two bus routes to complete their inbound runs at the new Allegheny Station at Reedsdale Street and Allegheny Avenue, near Heinz Field. There, riders will transfer for free onto T cars headed Downtown via a tunnel under the Allegheny River.

Read about free "T" service here.
Edited by Jayayess1190, Dec 22 2011, 04:08 PM.
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Jayayess1190
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Commuter train plan still idles along the tracks

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While plans to start an Allegheny Valley commuter train move forward, financing obstacles exist. And the developers don't have any assurances they can overcome them.

The rail line from Lower Burrell to Pittsburgh's Strip District will need major government subsidies before it's built and after it's running:


  • The private investor planning to finance the commuter rail line will have to provide funds until the federal government dedicates millions in grants to the project.

  • Many projects throughout the United States are seeking to tap into the federal program that the developers want to use and there isn't as much money as there are requests.

  • Once built, the rail line likely will need millions of dollars in subsidies from the state. There currently is no funding stream for it.

"There are legitimate questions you can't overlook," said Robert Ardolino, the developer pushing to build the line. "But I'm willing to face those questions head-on."

Despite these challenges, Ardolino said he's convinced everything will fall into place so that commuters between Lower Burrell and Pittsburgh will have another travel option within a few years. He has suggested the train line could enter the construction phase in 2013.
Edited by Jayayess1190, Dec 25 2011, 10:20 AM.
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Jayayess1190
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Click Here. Learn about Pittsburgh's upcoming BRT routes, making travel between downtown and Oakland, plus the airport faster.

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  • Exclusive bus lanes or queue jump lanes that allow buses to bypass traffic at stopped intersections.
  • Traffic signal priority for buses at intersections to extend the green light phase and reduce travel time.
  • Real-time transit information via station message boards or accessible from smart phones, eliminating uncertainty about when the bus will arrive.
  • Fare collection at the platform (“offboard”) to reduce time at bus stops.
  • Low-floor buses with additional doors to reduce load/unload times at stops.
  • Specially-branded vehicles, stops, stations, signage and information to set BRT routes apart from the rest of the transit system.
  • Stylish, comfortable vehicles with a railcar-like appearance to appeal to riders.
  • Amenities at the bus stops including weather protection, heating, bicycle racks, security cameras, landscaping and public art.
  • Community-friendly design that provides for the needs of bikers, pedestrians and motorists.


Edited by Jayayess1190, Jan 12 2012, 07:21 PM.
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Tritransit Area
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PAT just eliminated the G2 service to Oakland, which ran via the East Busway and was a quick trip to Oakland. I don't think they promoted that route enough, especially to the colleges, pushing everyone onto crowded buses on 5th Ave.

While I think that multi-tiered express service is needed between Oakland and Downtown via that corridor, I'm disappointed in the fact that the website completely ignores the fact that Pittsburgh has three very successful Busways, a form of BRT. It also doesn't talk about the routes at all...I think this would be part of the "R" series routes, right?

I hope to see more details soon, though! I just don't like how they are promoting it.
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Jayayess1190
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Yes this BRT will take over the 61/71 Routes and turn them into the R1 through R8.

Also: Port Authority begins running cars through North Shore Connector

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For the first time, Port Authority of Allegheny County's $523.4 million North Shore Connector project is really moving.

The transit agency began running rail cars on the 1.2-mile extension of its T light-rail system about two weeks ago — albeit, only at 5 mph.

"The fact that we're now testing the system and not really building any more truly is a milestone," Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie said on Monday. "We're looking forward to the start of service, but testing has really just begun."

The project began five years ago and cost about $88 million more than originally expected.

Ritchie said crews must complete more than 1,100 tests before the system can begin operating. Port Authority is on pace to meet the planned March 25 start date, Ritchie said.

Economist Jake Haulk, executive director of the Castle Shannon-based Allegheny Institute on Public Policy, said the testing is critical.

"They have got to make sure that they are not going to have power outages or anything that could stop those trains under the river. You have a couple of episodes like that, and it will scare away riders," Haulk said.
Edited by Jayayess1190, Jan 13 2012, 03:48 PM.
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Jayayess1190
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More cuts for PAT if something isn't done:

More Port Authority transit cuts ahead
Port Authority buses may not roll for 45,000

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As part of a 35 percent reduction in service hours that would take effect Sept. 2 -- the largest cut in the agency's 48-year history -- all of the authority's current 102 bus and rail routes would be scaled back, some ending altogether and others with deep drops in off-peak and weekend service, according to a summary released by the authority.

On all but 13 routes, service would terminate at or around 10 p.m. daily. Weekend service would be eliminated on the Blue Line of the Light Rail Transit system.

The reduction, coupled with a 15 percent service cut last March, would leave the region's biggest transit agency with barely half of the service it offered a year ago.

The 28X Airport Flyer might terminate outbound service at Robinson Town Centre (eliminating the leg to Pittsburgh International Airport), depending on whether a federal grant designed to improve access to jobs is renewed, Mr. Bland said.
Edited by Jayayess1190, Jan 18 2012, 07:28 PM.
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septa105R5
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Since ACT 44 funding was cut dated back to 2010 following rejections to I-80 toll, I don't get how Harrisburg is putting the puzzles together which led to the cause of that like PAT's previous year example.

They should privatized some or all the system by allowing contractors to take over those routes.

So what's next for PAT pending on this doomsday effect?

Edited by septa105R5, Jan 18 2012, 09:40 PM.
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Septa3371CSX1
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septa105R5
Jan 18 2012, 09:35 PM
Since ACT 44 funding was cut dated back to 2010 following rejections to I-80 toll, I don't get how Harrisburg is putting the puzzles together which led to the cause of that like PAT's previous year example.

They should privatized some or all the system by allowing contractors to take over those routes.

So what's next for PAT pending on this doomsday effect?

Can't have contractors take over due to union rules. It wouldn't be much different even if they did.

IMO, the next move for PAT should be to run the system until they run out of money and can't put any service on the street.
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Septa3371CSX1
Jan 18 2012, 10:24 PM
septa105R5
Jan 18 2012, 09:35 PM
Since ACT 44 funding was cut dated back to 2010 following rejections to I-80 toll, I don't get how Harrisburg is putting the puzzles together which led to the cause of that like PAT's previous year example.

They should privatized some or all the system by allowing contractors to take over those routes.

So what's next for PAT pending on this doomsday effect?

Can't have contractors take over due to union rules. It wouldn't be much different even if they did.

IMO, the next move for PAT should be to run the system until they run out of money and can't put any service on the street.
PAT can't do that. I think they are actually required by law to have a balanced budget each year.

The fact that everything hinged on I-80 being tolled (which didn't happen) really added onto the funding crisis. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is now in severe debt due to mandatory payments to PennDOT. The funding that was promised to transit agencies is now significantly below what they were expecting...all while expenses are going up drastically.

I wonder if the Airport would be willing to fund the 28X...or at least provide a subsidy for that line.
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Jayayess1190
Jan 18 2012, 07:21 PM
More cuts for PAT if something isn't done:

More Port Authority transit cuts ahead
Port Authority buses may not roll for 45,000

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201201/20120118port_fares_eliminations451.png]


Quote:
 
As part of a 35 percent reduction in service hours that would take effect Sept. 2 -- the largest cut in the agency's 48-year history -- all of the authority's current 102 bus and rail routes would be scaled back, some ending altogether and others with deep drops in off-peak and weekend service, according to a summary released by the authority.

On all but 13 routes, service would terminate at or around 10 p.m. daily. Weekend service would be eliminated on the Blue Line of the Light Rail Transit system.

The reduction, coupled with a 15 percent service cut last March, would leave the region's biggest transit agency with barely half of the service it offered a year ago.

The 28X Airport Flyer might terminate outbound service at Robinson Town Centre (eliminating the leg to Pittsburgh International Airport), depending on whether a federal grant designed to improve access to jobs is renewed, Mr. Bland said.
When did BCTA discontinue its route 6? This bus used to run from Rochester to Robinson Town Center via the Airport.

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