Friday, September 19, 2003

By Joe Grata, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Transit riders can expect the financially troubled Port Authority to maintain fares and service at current levels through winter and maybe longer.

Allegheny County and state officials have agreed to redirect $10 million of highway money to public transit, as permitted in certain categories of federal funding, to help plug a projected $19 million shortfall in the authority's 2003-04 budget.

The money had been earmarked for the $80 million reconstruction of Interstate 79 between the Kirwan Heights and Parkway West interchanges.

Because the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's project isn't expected to start for another year and last through 2006, the $10 million being redirected for the Port Authority's use won't be needed for a while.

County Chief Executive Jim Roddey, former chairman of the Port Authority board, announced the new funds at a news conference yesterday.

The arrangement required the cooperation of PennDOT and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the transportation planning agency for the nine-county region.

PennDOT and the commission have the final word on where, when and how federal transportation funds are spent. The commission's technical committee is to approve the funding transfer today and the Port Authority should start receiving the funds within two months.

Port Authority Chief Executive Paul Skoutelas, expressing thanks for the collaborative effort, said $10 million "will help alleviate but not eliminate our current budget crisis. We remain concerned about securing a long-term solution to funding public transportation in the commonwealth."

For now, people who account for 245,000 bus, light rail, incline and paratransit rides on an average weekday won't have to worry about the base fare being increased by 25 cents to $2, or 20 percent service cuts that could go as far as eliminating weekend, holiday and nighttime service.

The $10 million will be spent for preventive maintenance or bus and trolley repairs. The authority will transfer a number of mechanics' salaries from the operating budget to the capital budget, reducing operating expenses.

"This is a short-term solution," Roddey said, to preserve public transit caught in a series of fare increases, service cuts and subsequent ridership losses, "a never-ending spiral that feeds on itself."

The reprogramming of funds will not delay the I-79 project, he said.

"We've been assured of it," Roddey said.

Steve Donahue, founder of the Save Our Transit citizens group, praised the temporary financial fix but said the group's campaign will go on.

"We have to continue to fight for predictable, stable and reliable funding," he said.

The Port Authority board has initiated $5 million in administrative cuts and is hoping the state will, at least, restore a 6 percent cut in operating subsidies.

The $276 million operating budget faces $19 million in increased expenses and reduced state assistance. The authority expects to pay an additional $5 million in health care costs, $5 million in pension payments, $3 million in union raises and higher diesel fuel, supplies, parts and utilities costs.

The state's 6 percent subsidy cut of $4 million translates into a $5.3 million loss because of matching county funds. In addition, a special state transit assistance fund is projected to bring in $5 million less this year.

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