There is a nationwide bus driver shortage. The Port Authority is actively hiring new drivers. If any readers know of someone who might be interested, job details can be found here. It is not only bus drivers that are in short supply, the economy is at full employment for the first time in decades. There
Tag: Public Transit
How to Fix PennDOT’s Fern Hollow Bridge Design
PennDOT and the City of Pittsburgh are rushing to build a new Fern Hollow Bridge to replace the one that collapsed in January 2022. PennDOT released a conceptual rendering of the new bridge design on March 8, 2022. Unfortunately, the rushed process has resulted in some serious design flaws that need to be addressed before
The Busway Extension that Port Authority Should Build
Should the east busway be extended to McKeesport or Monroeville? And what level of investment is justified?
How Car Seat Requirements can Endanger Children
My favorite way to travel with my kids (ages 3 and 2) is by train. It’s much safer than driving, my son doesn’t get motion sickness like he does in the car, and I am free to interact with my kids. As I began researching a family vacation this summer, I started looking for destinations
The Port Authority’s New Fare Policy is an Improvement
The Port Authority has proposed fare changes to take effect as early as July. The public comment period runs through May 5, 2021, and the board is expected to vote on the changes later in May. The changes are as follows: The base fare for connect card users would be raised from \$2.50 to \$2.75
Better Bus Stop Signs for Pittsburgh
I first moved to Squirrel Hill in 2012. Having grown up in an auto-oriented Connecticut suburb I had never ridden a public transport bus in the United States. Initially I drove when visiting downtown, driving south on Murray Avenue to get on I-376. The first time I tried taking the bus I assumed the inbound
Should the Port Authority Fund Park-in-Ride Garages?
The Port Authority is redeveloping the park-in-ride serving the West Busway at Carnegie. The plan includes several good investments, including an expansion of the panhandle trail, storage for bicycles, and electric charging stations for buses. However, a substantial portion of the public funds are going to a bad investment, parking spaces for cars. Several transit
Should Pittsburgh allow Shuttle Service in Junction Hollow?
Pittsburgh is planning to make a major capital investment in Junction Hollow and Hazelwood. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) will be implementing a $28 million infrastructure project to manage stormwater run-off and address chronic flooding in lower Greenfield. The City would leverage the PWSA work to more cost effectively implement several transportation improvements.
Signal Priority for Transit is the Best Investment
Imagine going to a restaurant with a large group of 40 people, and you are all seated at the same table. The restaurant serves their food family style, but you’re surprised to see that your server provides your table only a serving suitable for one person, like the adjacent tables of individual patrons dining alone
The Port Authority should Promote Transit to New Residents
Soon after my wife and I bought our house, we received a lot of material in the mail from people who had an interest in connecting with us as new residents. Politicians sent us letters welcoming us to their district. We received a schedule for garbage collection and letters from the utilities. Salespeople sent us