V.W.H. Campbell Jr. , Post-Gazette Pittsburgh city Councilman Len Bodack studies maps of the route changes the Port Authority is proposing to stave off an $80 million budget gap for the coming fiscal year. The maps will be heavily studied by riders beginning this week at Port Authority public hearings on route changes and eliminations, fare increases and possible layoffs.

By Joe Grata
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Too many buses carrying too few riders is why the Port Authority says it has to "right-size" the deficit-ridden system into one it can afford.

Authority officials expect a full house and, likely, an emotional one at times, for the first of nine public hearings tomorrow about its unpopular proposals.

People concerned about the future of public transit in Allegheny County have signed up for all 70 of the three-minute speaking slots available for the opening session, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel.

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As of noon Friday, 15 more had signed up on a waiting list, while 27 others asked that their comments be recorded by a stenographer. Walk-ins, who usually get a chance to speak at such meetings, might be out of luck.

Save Our Transit, an advocacy group that regularly travels to Harrisburg to lobby lawmakers and demonstrate for long-term, dedicated funding, will start the day with an 8:45 a.m. rally at Mellon Square, then a march to the Hilton.

For a second public hearing, from 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the University of Pittsburgh's Alumni Hall, 59 were signed up to comment on authority plans to raise fares, cut nearly 60 percent of its bus routes, lay off 400 employees and idle 150 buses.

It portends record reaction to proposed record cuts that the authority and county Chief Executive Dan Onorato say are vital to resolve a projected $80 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and bring future operating expenses in line with revenues.

As of Friday, the Port Authority had preregistered 329 people to testify at all nine hearings.

It also had heard from more than 2,600 people and organizations via letter, phone, e-mail and its Web site, www.portauthority.org, where extensive information is available.

About 600 people specifically commented about the 28X Airport Flyer, 10 times more than about any other bus route among the 124 proposed for elimination.

The 28X offers a one-way, $2.25 cash fare for transportation from Oakland and Downtown to Robinson Town Centre and Pittsburgh International Airport, but many use passes or student IDs.

In November, 1,942 rode the 28X on an average weekday, and about 1,500 on Saturday and Sunday. The route was created in 1996 using minibuses. Rider demand is so strong at times, namely over holidays, that the authority substitutes regular buses for the minibuses that normally make the Parkway West runs.

The 28X might be spared.

"Absolutely, there's a chance it could stay" while other routes are pared, effective June 24, authority spokesman Bob Grove said. "That's what the public process is all about, to help us make these decisions before we submit final recommendations to the board" at the end of March.

"Some routes may stay, some may go and some may change frequency of service and the length of operation," he said.

Both Mr. Bland and Mr. Onorato have emphasized that drastic changes are necessary. They said the agency isn't looking again for the type of Harrisburg bailouts that have postponed bus-trolley cuts and fare increases twice since 2003.

There are two options for a fare increase this time: A $2 flat fare that would eliminate zones and simplify collections, and a raise in the current $1.75 base fare to $2.50, which would retain zones and the rest of the structure, including a free "Downtowner Zone" and off-board fare collection at T stations.

Here's a list of dates, times and locations of other public hearings on the Port Authority's fare and service proposals:

Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Achieva, 711 Bingham St., South Side. Forty have preregistered.

Tuesday, 4 to 8 p.m., Monroeville Radisson Hotel. Thirty-nine have preregistered.

Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m., McKeesport Palisades, 500 Water St. Thirty have preregistered.

Friday, 4 to 8 p.m., Moon DoubleTree Hotel, 8402 University Blvd. Eighteen have preregistered.

Jan. 31, 4 to 8 p.m., Comfort Inn, 2801 Freeport Road, Harmar. One has preregistered.

Feb. 1, 4 to 8 p.m., West View Fire Hall, 398 Perry Highway. Five have preregistered.

Feb. 7, 5 to 9 p.m., Castle Shannon Volunteer Fire Department, Route 88 and Sleepy Hollow Road. Twenty-five have preregistered.

The Port Authority has asked speakers to sign up in advance by calling 412-566-5437.