Transit supporters urge Downtown commuters to call governor
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A small group of people worried about Port Authority cuts gathered at Downtown bus stops during the evening rush hour, asking people to call Gov. Tom Corbett's office and ask him to "fully fund" the bus system.
For about an hour-and-a-half, 15 to 20 people from various community organizations passed out fliers at "high density" bus stops Downtown as part of an effort organized by We are One, a collection of local advocacy groups.
The Port Authority plans to hold a public hearing on Feb. 29 to discuss the possibility of a 35 percent service reduction scheduled for Sept. 2 and fare increases planned for July 1.
James Ramsey, who said he serves as a union representative for some Port Authority bus drivers, stood at the corner of Smithfield Street and 6th Avenue, where some bus riders ignored him and others promised to call the governor's office.
"It's for the community," Mr. Ramsey said of the call for funding. "It's not just for transit operators. People have to be able to get to work, get to school."
Nancie Georgia, a secretary in the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health, promised to call the governor's office and to post the flier at work. She, like some others gathered at the bus stop, said she worried most for the bus drivers who could lose their jobs and for senior citizens, who might struggle to walk further to bus stops if cuts are made.
"A lot of people, they're walking by acting like they're not concerned," Ms. Georgia said, "and then, when the buses are cut, they're gonna be worried...and screaming."
First Published January 30, 2012 12:00 am
