Release Date: Monday, November 29th 2010

University Times: Lobby lawmakers for transit action, campus groups urge

The University Senate community relations committee (CRC) is urging support for efforts to lobby Harrisburg to solve the county’s looming public transit crisis. Those efforts include emailing legislators through a student-run web site and supporting the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership initiative, which is targeting legislators with information about the effects of transit cuts on the area’s economy.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County board meets today, Nov. 24, and is expected to approve a fare increase and a 35 percent reduction in service, including the total elimination of almost 50 routes as well as the elimination of  weekend service on 13 others. The fare increase is expected to go into effect Jan. 1 and the service cuts March 13, along with more than 550 employee layoffs. The Port Authority, which by law must balance its budget, faces a $47 million shortfall in the 2010-11 fiscal year.

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