HARRISBURG -- Port Authority of Allegheny County would run mass transit more efficiently if it faced competition from other public or private bus companies in neighboring counties, contend two Republican legislators from suburban Allegheny County.

State Reps. Mike Turzai of Bradford Woods and Mark Mustio of Moon have proposed House Bill 2070, "which eliminates a state-mandated monopoly on transit services in Allegheny County," a monopoly dating to 1964, said Mr. Turzai.

The Port Authority, a public agency with a unionized work force, was created more than 40 years ago, when privately owned bus companies were having trouble making money carrying passengers. It is highly dependent on public subsidies, mainly from the state but also from county government, to bolster its fare box revenue.

Mr. Turzai and Mr. Mustio said existing companies in Beaver, Butler and Westmoreland counties might be interested in picking up passengers within Allegheny, as their buses pass through county communities carrying people to jobs in Downtown Pittsburgh, but are forbidden to do so under current law.

Mr. Mustio, who is from Allegheny's western suburbs, said the Beaver County buses might pick up riders at Pittsburgh International Airport, in Robinson or in Carnegie.

Mr. Turzai said Butler Motor Transit, a private company, might want to pick up riders from his area -- along Route 8 in the North Hills, for example -- if the Port Authority's monopoly on public transportation were changed.

"We can't continue to just throw state money at the Port Authority for its inefficient operations," Mr. Turzai said. "Competition will bring about more efficiencies and will benefit bus riders."

In coming months, legislators are expected to discuss options for increasing state funding for roads, bridges and transit. Mr. Turzai said their Port Authority measure could end up as part of that overall plan -- if he can garner the necessary support.

Beaver County Transit Authority General Manager Mary Jo Morandini said she would need more details about the legislation to consider whether BCTA would support such a proposal.

Westmoreland County Transit Authority Executive Director Larry Morris couldn't specifically talk about the proposal, but said his agency is "not in a financial position to pick up more passengers in Allegheny County as it is."

"We have no plans to expand our service in that way," he said. "The majority of our buses that go into Pittsburgh and much of Allegheny County are already at or near capacity."