Port Authority to boost bus fares April 1

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Port Authority to boost bus fares April 1

Saturday, January 27, 2001

From wire reports

The Port Authority made its fare hike official yesterday, voting to raise the base price for a bus ride to $1.60 from $1.25.

Increases are also coming April 1 for those who use passes and coupons, but they will be lower because the authority wants to encourage advance purchases.

The authority cited increases in diesel fuel and utility prices, coupled with a decline in state funding, as the main reasons for the fare hike.

While the cash price for a one-zone trip is rising 28 percent, the increase for passes and tickets is going up an average of only 20 percent.

In addition, the number of fare zones has been reduced from five to three.

The Port Authority board also decided to continue the time limit for regular transfers between buses at three hours. The agency had debated whether to reduce the limit to 90 minutes.

Customers may purchase semiannual and annual pass subscriptions until Feb. 6, allowing patrons to lock in current prices for six or 12 months.

March monthly passes will be the last monthly passes available under the current price structure.

Weekly passes for the week of March 25, 2001, will be the last weekly passes for sale at the current rates.

Ten Trip Tickets will be accepted as valid fares through March 31. Beginning March 15, Ten Trip Tickets under the new price structure and with a new color designation will be sold.

A brochure detailing the new fares and zones will soon be available at all major schedule racks, on Port Authority vehicles, at the Downtown Service Center and on the Port Authority's Web site, www.RideGold.com

In other action, the board:

Awarded two contracts for the Stage II Light Rail construction along the old Overbrook trolley line in the South Hills. A $54.5 million contract goes to A&L Inc. of Belle Vernon for the reconstruction of the last of three segments of the line. A $43.8 million contract goes to Union Switch & Signal Inc. of Pittsburgh for systemwide signals and communication.

Awarded a $3.6 million contract to AWK Construction Inc. for the design and construction of a 600-space, park-n-ride lot along Beers School Road at the former Airways Parking site in Moon. The lot, which can be expanded to 1,000 spaces, is expected to open in late 2001.

The board also authorized purchase of property along Vernon Avenue in Swissvale for a 150-space, park-n-ride lot, station and bus layover area near the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway Extension. In addition, the board approved a five-year lease with Marshall Ice Associates for the use of 124 park-n-ride spaces at the Blade Runners North ice skating complex.