Pittsburghers know that you can't always get there from here, especially on public transportation. But the Port Authority is trying; it just wants its riders to be a little more flexible.
The introduction of three new weekday bus routes in the South Hills area is the authority's second foray into the "trunk-and-feeder" system used by other metropolitan transit systems, such as St. Louis. It's hardly a revolutionary idea, just a fairly new one in our area. In Philadelphia, for example, the feeder system serves light rail, heavy rail (trains) and commuter rail.
Other cities employing this system to some degree include Dallas; Houston; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City and Sacramento.
The Port Authority's newest changes were achieved by eliminating two bus routes -- the 37A Mt. Lebanon and the 41C Cedar Boulevard -- and creating a feeder system of smaller buses to take riders to major light-rail stations instead of all the way into town.
"It's not the first time we've tried this; whether it will be the last or not, these things really depend on what kind of ridership we see," said authority spokesman Bob Grove.
The changes went into effect Tuesday, with 44D Jefferson, 44E Inglewood and 44F Terrace routes circling areas formerly served by the now-restructured 36A route and the old 37A.
Ridership on the first two mornings appeared light, with less than a half-dozen passengers debarking from the pastel-colored buses that arrived at the Mt. Lebanon T station.
"I think it's very convenient, not so much now, but in the wintertime, when it's freezing" said rider Laura Baratta, of Mt. Lebanon.
Emrah Erdem, of Bethel Park, who used to ride the 37A into town, said his trip into Downtown now is "definitely longer."
Port Authority already runs a trunk system for the Carnegie-area West Busway, and on Saturdays, Trafford 67F buses require a transfer at the Wilkinsburg station.
"When you turn those McDonald buses around at Carnegie instead of sending them all the way in, you can run more buses," Mr. Grove said.
"The reaction of most customers was: They weren't happy about it because it does prolong the trip a little bit," Mr. Grove said of the Carnegie and Wilkinsburg changes.
It's too early for a big-picture gauge of riders' reactions to changes in the South Hills, where buses and the light rail sometimes serviced similar routes.
Leonard Barchie has lived in Mt. Lebanon for 27 years and took the 36A into town for work.
His new bus, the 44D Jefferson, picked him up yesterday morning at his old stop in Mission Hills and he estimated the T trip from Mt. Lebanon's station would arrive at roughly the same time as before.
Mr. Barchie said he had three thoughts on the new changes: "Once the people realize how convenient this is, you might find ridership pick up.
"Also, when you think about the cost, I was able to buy a monthly bus pass for $60. If you take your car into downtown Pittsburgh you're going to pay $200-300 a month, on top of gas and wear and tear on your car.
"You also have to consider 'green power,' to try to conserve our global energy," he said.
Mt. Lebanon's Mark Finlay, who took the 44F yesterday, said he welcomed the change.
"This is just perfect, about the same route I had before."
The changes and new schedules were posted on the authority's Web site, portauthority.org, in advance of the changes, and they also were advertised on buses and light rail.
For more, or to leave feedback, call customer service at 412-442-2000.
First Published: September 6, 2007, 2:30 p.m.
