2006

May 26 -- Steve Bland, who headed an Albany, N.Y.-based transit system, takes over as the Port Authority's new chief executive officer.

June 23 -- Authority board passes $347.5 million 2006-07 operating budget with projected $31.5 million deficit but no federal highway money that Gov. Ed Rendell had "flexed" to the agency in the last two years.

Sept. 15 -- State and county officials ask the authority to hold off on public hearings about fare increases and service cuts until the governor's special Transportation Funding and Reform Commission recommends ways to solve the agency's problems.

Sept. 27 -- Authority announces development of "Service Scorecard," a rating system based on a scale of 1 to 10 in case service must be reduced.

Nov. 13 -- The Transportation Funding and Reform Commission recommends a transit funding solution: a 0.9 percent state realty transfer tax and, at the county level, a realty transfer tax, sales tax or earned income tax increase.

2007

Jan. 3 -- Mr. Bland and county Chief Executive Dan Onorato propose "right-sizing" to address a looming $80 million budget deficit by cutting 123 weekday routes, hiking fares and laying off 400 employees.

Jan. 22 -- Angry riders assail the planned transit cuts at the first of nine public hearings.

Feb. 5 -- In his budget address, Mr. Rendell calls for 6.17 percent tax on oil company profits as a way of providing a dedicated, permanent source of funding for public transit.

March 30 -- Authority board ratifies 15 percent service cuts, effective June 17, including elimination of 29 weekday bus routes and modifications to 107 others.

April 5 -- Authority curtails special perks for select group of employees. Last 30 collecting pensions but still on payroll ordered to leave by July 1.

April 18 -- Authority announces layoffs of 251 union and 16 nonunion employees, part of eliminating 374 budgeted positions for the 2007-08 fiscal year.

April 24 -- Mr. Bland returns from Harrisburg lobbying trip with little hope of extra state funding, making another round of bus-trolley cuts -- this time 10 percent -- likely Sept. 2.

April 27 -- Authority approves spending rest of a $10.5 million "rainy day fund" to help with budget problems.