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Steve Bland was bad for the Port Authority
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I could not have been happier to learn that the Port Authority's Steve Bland had finally been fired. Under his tenure, entire communities have had their transit service completely cut off, fares have skyrocketed and maintenance has been sketchy at best.
I use the Dorchester stop on the Blue Line/South Hills Village T route to commute three days a week. This winter, every single time it has snowed, this stop has not been cleared of snow and ice; after the first snowfall, it was left untouched for three days. Every time, I have called the Port Authority. The third time that the stop was not cleared after a snowfall, I asked to speak to a supervisor, and received a call back from a supervisor at the Port Authority. I asked him what I needed to do to make sure that the platform and the sidewalk leading up to it were cleared promptly, and his reply was that I had already done it by speaking to him.
Unfortunately, the same thing happened on Friday, Jan. 25, when I returned from work at about 6:30 p.m. I called the customer service line, and the following Monday, I left a voicemail for the same supervisor to let him know that the problem had not been solved. I did not receive a call back.
On Feb. 4, not only was the Dorchester stop completely covered in snow, slush and ice, but the Bethel Village and St. Anne's stops were also completely untouched, at the height of a Monday rush hour.
The Dorchester stop is used by a great many senior citizens as well as individuals with disabilities. I can't imagine that someone in a wheelchair, or who uses crutches or a cane, would be able to use this stop. I have nearly slipped and fallen several times this winter.
I can only hope that with Mr. Bland's ouster that the Port Authority's service and maintenance will improve.
DIANA BARBOUR
Bethel Park
First Published February 7, 2013 12:00 am
