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Thursday, 09 February 2012 11:41
The Port Authority system is as much a part of our Downtown infrastructure as the water and sewer lines and, with 54 percent of Downtown workers using it, as necessary to our well-being. If the service reductions go into effect, transit service for 20 percent of weekday ridership will be eliminated. The result would not only make our Downtown less desirable but would also undermine our ability to attract talent and investment, both integral to our future success. This is not only a problem for Downtown. Suburban businesses have employees who rely on public transit on a daily basis, and even those who don't will be affected by traffic congestion as many more people are forced to drive.
I urge Gov. Tom Corbett and the General Assembly to act on the Transportation Funding Advisory Commission's recommendations so that Downtown Pittsburgh can continue to be the exciting place to live, work and play that we now experience and our region continues to grow in smart, sustainable ways.
TOM HARRINGTON
Chair
Office Retention and Recruitment Task Force
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
Regional Vice President
Winthrop Management LP
Downtown
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Comments (14)
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written by JimboP, February 09, 2012 - 10:34 AM
While I agree with this letter writer of the importance of transit. I must also urge the transit union to playball because to not do that would be to just continue the spiraling costs and it won;t matter how much money you throw at the problem it will still be in financial straits....
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written by GBRetired, February 09, 2012 - 10:55 AM
Jimbo--spot on.
Simply look at the Port Authority operating budget. Any organization where the benefit costs virtually equal the salary cost is doomed to failure.
Also, PAT already receives 70% of their finances from taxpayers--just how much more do they need?
Simply look at the Port Authority operating budget. Any organization where the benefit costs virtually equal the salary cost is doomed to failure.
Also, PAT already receives 70% of their finances from taxpayers--just how much more do they need?
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written by Ironman, February 09, 2012 - 11:28 AM
Retired One - I wonder if a management type consultant like Mr. Harrington utilizes public transit. I would bet that he has a free parking space in USX Towers.
http://www.winthropmanagement.com/
http://www.winthropmanagement.com/
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written by GBRetired, February 09, 2012 - 11:40 AM
Ironman,
Little wonder why a stooge from a downtown real estate management firm would want more folks to work in the 'Burgh. Perhaps Westinghouse had the right idea. Move to Cranberry and forget about fighting for parking, buses and Lukie. The sooner the rest of the folks get the hint--perhaps both the Port Authority and the Pol's in the 'Burgh will get the hint--although I doubt it.
Little wonder why a stooge from a downtown real estate management firm would want more folks to work in the 'Burgh. Perhaps Westinghouse had the right idea. Move to Cranberry and forget about fighting for parking, buses and Lukie. The sooner the rest of the folks get the hint--perhaps both the Port Authority and the Pol's in the 'Burgh will get the hint--although I doubt it.
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written by Ironman, February 09, 2012 - 12:40 PM
Retired One - When I saw his title and company, I had to look them up. Yep. Right on about the House moving out of Allegheny county. The D-rats will never figure it out.
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written by boldart, February 09, 2012 - 02:11 PM
@GBretired
All successful metropolitan regions have a mass transit system serving the central city.
Cranberry is in Butler County, which is classified as mostly rural. Once again gasoline prices are on the rise due to the volatility of the middle east. That is not good news for Cranberry developers.
Currently occupancy in downtown buildings is at 97%. Businesses see downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland with it mass transit system is a better place to be when high gasoline prices become an issue for workers.
No business wants to be stuck in some suburban office park with no mass transit service.
All successful metropolitan regions have a mass transit system serving the central city.
Cranberry is in Butler County, which is classified as mostly rural. Once again gasoline prices are on the rise due to the volatility of the middle east. That is not good news for Cranberry developers.
Currently occupancy in downtown buildings is at 97%. Businesses see downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland with it mass transit system is a better place to be when high gasoline prices become an issue for workers.
No business wants to be stuck in some suburban office park with no mass transit service.
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written by JohnnyB, February 09, 2012 - 02:15 PM
Just out of curiosity boldart, do you use PAT for your daily commute, and what do you pay daily?
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written by Ironman, February 09, 2012 - 02:22 PM
boldart - Quite frankly, you need to get out of Pittsburgh and visit the rural folk, like in Butler. Yep. Even Butler has a transit authority with a new center. Ridership continues to grow.
http://butlertransitauthority.com/
http://butlertransitauthority.com/
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written by JimboP, February 09, 2012 - 03:06 PM
As is being pointed out to you Boldart the suburbs all have transit, all are growing unlike Allegheny Co, and all are run is a fiscally responsible manner. Even if they actually agree to give them more money it will be at the 2/3 - 1/3 agreement, wheres that coming from? thats 20 million they would have to come up with. Then what about the following years when just the benefit and pension costs alone go up by $15 million a year....they would have to come up with an additional 5 million a year, probably more. If you think the state will ever go with paying it alone you are rudely mistaken.....
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written by Racer, February 09, 2012 - 05:22 PM
Quite frankly, you need to get out of Pittsburgh and visit the rural folk, like in Butler. Yep. Even Butler has a transit authority with a new center. Ridership continues to grow.
Butler County sources of revenue:
• 44% Intergovernmental revenue-state and federal
• 24% Real estate taxes & debt services
Butler County distribution of funds:
• 50% human services
• 11% miscellaneous expenses
• 10% public safety
Butler County federal and state block grants
• $4,409,855.00 total
Ridership continues to grow with the generous help of the federal and state governments.
http://www.co.butler.pa.us/but...et2012.pdf
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written by Ironman, February 09, 2012 - 06:42 PM
Ridership continues to grow with the generous help of the federal and state governments.
Butler has a growing population along with the northern suburbs in Allegheny county. The city of Pittsburgh has lost half it population. Got it. Makes sense comrade racer to shift money to those growing areas. Duh, more like хм.
Butler has a growing population along with the northern suburbs in Allegheny county. The city of Pittsburgh has lost half it population. Got it. Makes sense comrade racer to shift money to those growing areas. Duh, more like хм.
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written by Racer, February 09, 2012 - 06:59 PM
Makes sense comrade racer ...
Ahh a Bunda-wannabe!
Strike three little man. You'll have to settle for being a Bunda-ette. There can be only one beloved Dear Father (Батюшка)
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written by Joe Bunda, February 09, 2012 - 08:36 PM
written by Racer, February 09, 2012 - 07:59 PM
Makes sense comrade racer ...
Ahh a Bunda-wannabe!
Strike three little man. You'll have to settle for being a Bunda-ette. There can be only one beloved Dear Father (Батюшка)
This tripe is nothing more than sophomoric trollop from a hyper-partisan "progressive".
"All Power to the Soviets!", comrades!
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written by Mermaid, February 09, 2012 - 09:05 PM
Cranberry is hardly exhibit A for the superiority of auto transportation. It's a traffic-clogged mass of strip malls. No thanks.
A viable public transit system benefits the entire region. It facilitates economic activity in the city and surrounding areas. It allows people who can't drive or afford cars to hold down jobs and move about. It reduces pollution. It reduces traffic and is a lot cheaper than building new highways. It reduces the demand for parking. And it saves commuters money and often time. And employers need good transit because their employees depend on it.
A viable public transit system benefits the entire region. It facilitates economic activity in the city and surrounding areas. It allows people who can't drive or afford cars to hold down jobs and move about. It reduces pollution. It reduces traffic and is a lot cheaper than building new highways. It reduces the demand for parking. And it saves commuters money and often time. And employers need good transit because their employees depend on it.
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