Pa. Transit Agencies to Increase Capacity

Public transit agencies in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are increasing the capacity of trains and buses at the end of this month.

Pittsburgh’s Port Authority of Allegheny County said it will increase light rail and bus capacity on May 31 and lift all limits on June 20.

Limits will rise from 25 to 35 at the end of May. “What we’ve heard is some businesses may be starting to have workers come back to their offices,” a Port Authority spokesman said. “We want to be prepared for that when it occurs.”

The Philadelphia-based Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will lift capacity limits on its trains and buses on June 1.

In a statement the agency said removing vehicle capacity limits to meet increased ridership demand is a major step in the region’s recovery.

The statement said that a mask requirement will remain in place.

Pittsburgh Transit Agency Eyes Car Replacement

A plan to replace aging light rail vehicles on Port Authority of Allegheny County rail lines in Pittsburgh is expected is take up five to eight years to complete.

The agency said recently the planning process to prepare specifications for new cars is expected to take nine months.

Replacement of the cars is projected to cost between $400 million to $500 million.

The Port Authority wants to replace its 53 Siemens-built cars that date to the opening of the light rail system in the mid-1980s.

Among the cars in the overall fleet are 28 cars built by CAF in the 2000s.

Some of the 35-year old cars may be rebuilt rather than replaced.

A Port Authority spokesman said the agency needs to determine which cars could be rebuilt but said some cars have too much wear and tear to make rebuilding feasible.

Pittsburgh Light Rail Line May Reopen

The Port Authority of Allegheny County has released a 25-year plan calling for improvements in Pittsburgh’s light rail system by reopening a now-closed rail line.

The plan also envisions reducing service on the lightly used Library line.

Although the Port Authority wants to create a route to the Pittsburgh International Airport the plan did not say what mode of transportation will be used to do that.

The plan also calls for increased service in a number of areas but did not list many specifics.

Pittsburgh Transit Agency Approves New Labor Pact

Pittsburgh’s transit agency has approved a new contract with the union representing its light-rail operators, maintenance and service personnel, administrative employees, and first-level supervisors.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County agreed to give members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 a 2.75 percent wage increases in both years of the contract at a total cost of $7.8 million.

The contract changes the health insurance carrier for retirees who are at least 65 years old, which is expected to save the agency $10 million over the next two years.

The contract extends protections to non-operations employees who are assaulted while on duty, and includes various work rule changes that are expected to save the authority $1 million.

The contract is retroactive to July 1, 2020, and extends through June 30, 2022. The previous four-year contract expired June 30, 2020.

Pittsburgh Transit Workers Reach Tentative New Contract

Pittsburgh transit workers have reached a tentative new contract with the Port Authority of Allegheny County.

Officials of the Amalgamated Transit Union declined to release information on contract terms, but said it will cover 2,300 operators, maintenance workers and office staff.

The union’s previous contract with the Port Authority had expired on June 30.

Union members will now vote on the pact and it will then be presented to the Port Authority board.

Earlier statements by the union indicated that a stumbling block in reaching a new contract had been the length of the deal.

The union sought a three-year contract where the Port Authority was demanding a two-year deal with a re-opener for the third year.

The Port Authority had cited falling and uncertain ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ridership on Pittsburgh transit buses and light rail trains had fallen to 80 percent of 2019 levels but has since rebounded to 60 percent below last year.

Pittsburgh Light Rail Facility to get Upgrades

The Port Authority of Allegheny County has approved a plan to renovate its light rail maintenance facility in Pittsburgh.

The $11.2 million project will cover work that will take place over a 17-month period to renovate the 35-year-old facility.

The work will focus on maintenance pits, plumbing, and electricity, and be conducted over six phases.

It will include restoring concrete approaches and pits; replacing rails and supports; placing protective coating on the floor; modifying compressed air piping, drainage, and hot-water systems; and improving the electrical system and lighting.

Pittsburgh Transit Tunnel Closing Nightly for 2 Years

The Mount Washington transit tunnel in Pittsburgh will be closed overnight for the next two years due to construction.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County said workers will be repairing the tunnel daily between 8 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.

During those hours there will be no light rail or bus service through the 3,500-foot tunnel.

Passengers should expect trips to take 10 minutes longer as buses and trains are detoured through the Allentown neighborhood.

Much of the work to the tunnel involves upgrading the electrical system. The tunnel, which opened in 1904, is the only one of its kind in the United States to host buses and trains.

Buses began using the tunnel in 1973.

Pittsburgh’s Transit Future Being Weighed

Public views are being sought by the Port Authority of Allegheny County on its NEXTransit plan for public transit needs in Pittsburgh through 2045.

Comments received will be included in the plan, which will be used to prepare for future growth by identifying transit investments that integrate with regional plans and goals.

In a news release, the Port Authority said the plan also will provide a roadmap for where the port authority will focus its energy and resources.

The Port Authority operates 26 miles of light rail in greater Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Transit Enforcing Social Distancing

The number of passengers aboard Pittsburgh public transit buses and rail cars will be limited to ensure enough room for social distancing.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County has directed its operators to count passengers starting on Monday and to refuse to allow passengers aboard once those limited have been reached.

The limits will be 10 passengers per 35-foot bus, 15 passengers per 40-foot bus and 25 on a 60-foot articulated bus or light rail vehicle.

This could include passing scheduled stops if an operator believes a vehicle is too full to allow additional riders.

If that happens, operators are to call dispatch and another vehicle will be placed in service on that route if other vehicles are available.

The Port Authority had earlier reduced service by 25 percent. Officials say ridership has been running about 20 percent of normal.

Pittsburgh Public Transit Service Cut by 25%

The public transit system in Pittsburgh is reducing rail and bus service by 25 percent starting March 25 in response to the coranavirus pandemic.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County said the service reductions would also enable it to better protect its employees.

Pittsburgh is under a stay at home order for the next two weeks that was issued by Gov. Tom Wolf. The order directs residents not to leave home except for “life-sustaining” needs.

Public transit ridership in Pittsburgh has fallen by more than 50 percent Port Authority officials said.

The Port Authority is asking riders to practice social distancing while riding buses and light rail cars.

New paper schedules will not be printed but the adjusted schedules will be available on the Port Authority’s website.