Transit relief bills will wait until November

No news is good news for Port Authority as it awaits word on the progress of two… No news is good news for Port Authority as it awaits word on the progress of two legislative bills that would save the public transit system.

If House Bill 2697 and Senate Bill 1162 pass, they will provide public transit systems throughout Pennsylvania with more than $260 million in federal funding. Port Authority’s share of slightly more than $60 million would pull it out of its $30 million deficit.

But progress on the bills has been delayed until November. After an approval from the Transportation Committee in June, legislators tried to get the bills approved before adjournment for summer session, according to David Ginns, transportation specialist for sustainable Pittsburgh.

“We had no luck,” Ginns said. “We need to get it done in November, but it won’t get moved until after the Nov. 2 election.”

When submitted to legislature, the identical bills proposed to increase the percentage of sales tax that is allocated to public transportation. The bills would also remove the cap currently placed on this money. After consideration, Ginns said legislation is leaning toward wanting to use a mix of user fees to fund the systems, instead of the sale and use tax.

“We keep saying to people, what we’re doing here is trying to develop a reliable source for funds,” he said.

The bills are also attached to a bill that would increase gas tax by 8 cents. Though constitutional law prohibits funds from gas tax from being allocated toward public transit, current proposals suggest using a chunk of that money for road repair.

“You can’t talk about one without talking about the other; it’s political deal-making,” Ginns said. “How you use that money is the concern, though.”

Port Authority faces another gas-related concern in the increased price the public transit system must pay for its diesel fuel. Prices have increased by 61 cents since last year’s contract, potentially raising Port Authority’s deficit to $35 million.

“We’re doing this on a month-to-month basis until it levels,’ said Bob Grove, Port Authority spokesperson. “If it stays this high, no question, it will raise the deficit. But it’s something we can’t avoid.”

Port Authority faces two options concerning the deficit: wait for the bills’ approvals or raise fares and drastically cut services.

“We don’t want to do this,” Grove said. “This goes against everything we’re about.”

The cuts, if necessary, could involve fare increases of at least 50 cents and service cuts that would debilitate the public transit system. According to the plan discussed in the summer of 2003, which serves as the template for the current plan, service cuts would include no service after 9 p.m., Saturday service reduced to Sunday schedules and the elimination of Sunday service.

“We don’t look forward to this,” Grove said. “This plan is only if no action occurs [in legislation]. The key thing to this is that if the bills in front of the Senate and House pass, none of this will happen.”

Port Authority is planning public hearings some time this month. Grove said he expects to announce the dates later this week.

“We have to do this, in case there is no action by legislature by Nov. 30,” Grove added. ” We need a plan, just in case.”