Friday, August 28, 2009

Are you happy? I'm happy

The big day is here and the results have been released (at least to the Press, oddly enough they're not yet available on the TDP website) It seems as though option two has won out, and that is a good thing.

It's good for alot of reasons, not the least of which is that the fact it was long overdue. Pittsburgh's population distribution and development patterns have changed dramatically over the last 50+ years, and the Port Authority never adapted their service to the changes. This was much needed. Better service will be provided to the now high density areas, and areas that do not have the same transit usage as in past years will see corresponding cuts in service.

Additionally, this should show, to the people who like to use the arguments that mass transit isn't efficient, or that mass transit agencies don't operate efficiently, that the Port Authority is making a good faith effort to both decrease operating costs while increasing service. Talk to any businessperson out there, that's good business thinking.

Finally, this is excellent timing. With transit funding stagnant in Pennsylvania, any way the Port Authority can save money is a good thing.


Public comment will be held from today through September 30th. TELL THEM YOU LIKE IT!

7 comments:

Adam said...

Generally in agreement with you (especially on the Rapid Buses and new options to get to Lawrenceville, which I look forward to exploring a bit more once those changes are all made)... but not pleased about deep-sixing the Silver Line service upgrade to the 52.

Nick's Blog n@ said...

I'm happy, I will be riding the new 65.

Ken Zapinski said...

Great post, and great advice for supporters to make their voices heard. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ath the Marriott City Center.

The redesign improvements included in the TDP are just as important to the Port Authority's future sustainability as the financial and labor reforms enacted over the past several years.

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited! Rapid bus and stop consolidation make me happy.

MH said...

I'm happy with the new plan. I spent too much time jammed in the aisle in the back of the 61c and went back to driving. Hopefully this will help. But, I'm not giving-up my parking spot until I don't see crowds standing on Forbes during rush hour.

Cullen said...

Sorta related to the TDP... but service on the 5th Avenue corridor heading towards Oakland is not meeting the demand. Twice this week I've been waiting for my bus to downtown only to have it fly past me completely full. I'm glad we've got that many transit riders, but come on... give us more buses where they're full!

Anonymous said...

The downtown redesign is bad.

You have all of the South Hills buses making a left turn at 6th & Smithfield, and then a left back onto Wood.