[Transit-allegheny] PAT to Shut-Down Dec. 1 ?

[Glenn A. Walsh]

Today, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Pittsburgh's Port Authority Transit system may shut-down as early as December 1, as that is the date it is projected that the rail and bus system will run out of money. Previous projections had pegged the possible shut-down date as sometime later in December or January.

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato continues to refuse to release proceeds from two local taxes dedicated to funding the PAT system (the infamous "poured-drink tax" and a car-rental tax). He contends that PAT operators' labor costs must be decreased, to ensure the survival of the transit system, before he agrees to release the funds.

Currently, PAT subway and bus operators are working under the terms of a contract which expired on June 30. So far, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 has not taken a strike vote. Also, the Union executive committee, which rejected a September Fact Finder's report (which was reluctantly approved by the PAT Board), has not allowed the rank-and-file union members to take a vote on the Fact Finder's report. Approval of the Fact Finder's report could be the basis of a new contract and would assure that the County Executive releases the tax funds to support PAT.

Here is a link to today's Trib story, along with other information regarding a possible shut-down of the Pittsburgh-area transit system:

< http://andrewcarnegie2.tripod.com/transit/pat/2007fundingcrisis.html#tnews2 >

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director,
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