Port Authority buses will return to Market Square in mid-September but, apparently, not for long.

The city is planning to remove buses permanently next summer as part of an effort to revitalize the square and create a more inviting environment for workers, diners, visitors and merchants.

"We are looking to do that, yeah," said Joanna Doven, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's spokeswoman.

The city began detouring nearly 600 buses a day from Forbes Avenue in Market Square in June to assess the impact on the square and other areas of Downtown. About 3,000 riders a day have been affected by the move.

What started as a one-month test run has lasted most of the summer. Buses will be rerouted back to Market Square in mid- September because of construction of the Three PNC Plaza office building on Fifth Avenue.

Port Authority spokesman Bob Grove said that is expected to last only until June, when the city wants to permanently reroute the buses from the square.

"My understanding is that the city is basically happy with what they've seen [in removing buses] and they're looking at making that a permanent situation once we get on the other side of [the PNC] construction project," he said.

While the rerouting this summer has inconvenienced people who boarded in Market Square, it did not result in a loss in ridership and "there has not been a major hue and cry from customers about it," Mr. Grove said.

"As a whole our riders just dealt with it," he said.

At the same time, the city received positive feedback about not having buses in Market Square, Ms. Doven said. Merchants were among those happy about it, she noted.

"The mayor really believes it has brought life back to Market Square," she said. "It makes sense for Downtown's vitality."

With the permanent change in the works, the Port Authority is looking to restructure all of its bus loops through Downtown, Mr. Grove said.

It already has started discussions with city planners on ways to more efficiently move buses through Downtown, from the simple, such as eliminating some parking meters so buses can make easier turns, to the more complex, such as perhaps adding a bus lane on Smithfield Street between Boulevard of the Allies and Fort Pitt Boulevard.

"I think our attitude is let's do the best job we can do" to make sure all traffic is moving efficiently, Mr. Grove said.

Ms. Doven said the city intends to work with the Port Authority to figure out solutions.

"All options are open right now. This is in its infancy. We will work to the best of our ability to make everyone happy," she said.