Port Authority to change 30 bus and trolley routes
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Port Authority will be getting 26 of the longer articulated buses by October and 35 more next year to help relieve overcrowding on some routes.
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Port Authority is making adjustments to several routes next month in an effort to ease overcrowding that has beset riders since a 15 percent service reduction took effect in March.
The authority also plans to increase the number of longer, articulated buses in its fleet. Twenty-six new articulated buses are scheduled to arrive by October and 35 more by September 2012, spokesman Jim Ritchie said. With retirement of 25 older long buses, and one bus lost to fire, the fleet will grow from the current 50 to 85.
The 60-foot-long buses have about 16 more seats than conventional 40-foot buses and much more standing room. "We can put more seats on routes where we've seen a bit of crowding," Mr. Ritchie said.
The changes affecting about 30 routes will take effect Sept. 4 and most are minor timetable adjustments. But some routes will see bigger changes.
The O12 McKnight Flyer, one of the routes with the most severe crowding problems, will be rerouted Downtown to allow for possible use of articulated buses. The route will operate via the Fort Duquesne Bridge, Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Stanwix Street, Liberty Avenue, Seventh Avenue and Bedford Avenue to the Parkway North HOV ramp.
Stops will be on Stanwix Street at Two Gateway Center, Liberty Avenue at Market Street, Liberty Avenue opposite Ninth Street, and Seventh Avenue at William Penn Place.
The authority is adding one morning rush hour trip and four outbound trips during the afternoon rush on the O12.
Peak-hour service on the P3 East Busway-Oakland will be expanded with three extra trips in both the morning and afternoon rush hours. Nine inbound trips during the afternoon rush are being discontinued so that buses can return to Oakland faster to carry outbound passengers toward Swissvale, Mr. Ritchie said.
First Published August 17, 2011 12:00 am
