Issue One: Public transit financing
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We all share costs
I have to reply to Evan Harr's letter ("Pittsburgh Transit Woes Are Not My Problem," Jan. 29). It appeared to be another shortsighted rant from a non-Pittsburgher or non-Port Authority user who doesn't feel he has to solve "our" problems.
First, public transportation exists to move people, not to turn a profit. No road in the state pays for itself -- our collective taxes do. Even the turnpike doesn't pay for itself anymore as toll money is siphoned off to maintain other roads. Our Legislature doesn't have the guts to increase taxes to cover the actual costs of maintaining the state's transportation infrastructure.
Second, existing roads in Pittsburgh cannot handle rush-hour traffic, so public transit allows people to move more efficiently without building new roads.
Next, I notice that Mr. Harr lives in Derry, whose website touts Keystone State Park and PA Route 22 (both state-owned and maintained) as its main assets. I wonder what percentage of the costs of maintaining Route 22 and Keystone Park come from the pockets of Derry residents. I bet a much larger percentage comes from Pittsburgh.
It's a shame that as part of the Pittsburgh metro area, Mr. Harr just can't see that what happens here will eventually affect Derry in Westmoreland County.
DANIEL T. VOGEL
O'Hara
Can't pick taxes
In regard to opinions printed in the PG concerning the financing of the Port Authority, I would like to speak my piece.
Most of the letters are against the bus drivers and management for the handling of the finances, but some take it personally.
When people write that they do not want their tax dollars wasted on mass transit, they must not realize the long-range effects of eliminating mass transit. For those of us who work in the city, the pricing of inner-city parking makes it unreasonable to drive and park. Also to be noted is that if everyone drove, there would not be enough parking. For those who would lose their jobs, the tax burden would increase for those still working.
I pay a school tax even though I have never had any children in this school district. Do I have the option not to pay this tax? Do I have the option of my taxes not being used for wars or the lifetime cost of health care for our politicians?
In closing, our tax structure is not a menu to pick and choose where my tax dollars are spent. We can only hope that they are not wasted. Our transit system takes people to work who, like me, pay taxes. If the transit system disappears, I recommend that I be given a refund on my school taxes.
VICKI BRANCATO
Whitehall
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First Published February 5, 2012 12:00 am
