Schedules that implement the April 4 route changes affecting about 60 Port Authority bus and rail routes have been placed in racks on buses and light rail cars and in stations, authority spokesman Jim Ritchie announced today.

The changes are the first wave in a systemwide overhaul that will affect virtually every rider. The number of routes is being reduced but authority officials say service will be more convenient and more frequent when the revisions are completed.

Several routes will be simplified, rerouted and renamed. About one-fourth of riders will be affected by the April changes. Among the revisions are direct bus service from Downtown to Pittsburgh International Airport and renaming of rail lines using colors -- the Blue Line, Red Line and Brown Line.

The authority's website also has several tools to give riders in-depth information about the changes, including maps and schedules, and the chance to ask questions. Visitors to the site can click on their route and see a brief description of the changes, a map of the new route, the route's new number and a schedule. There also is a compilation of frequently asked questions and a method for submitting questions by e-mail.

First Published: February 23, 2010, 3:15 p.m.