We are looking to improve the Port Authority. It does not matter whether rates are raised or not. I can still drive, motorcycle, bicycle, etc. I can afford an increase, however ridiculous it may be.
Port Authority has been part of the problem. I hardly think that all the decisions emanating from the Port Authority Board has been via politicians exclusively.
This is a human problem. One that some people cannot afford to lose. They rely on transit and have no other means of getting around.
But, to portray the Port Authority as an agency with its hands tied behind its back and gag in its mouth is waiving all culpability and essentially watering down the powers of both the Board and Bland.
While I can appreciate activism and volunteering on various committees, I think what we are all trying to figure out is how can we get the Port Authority to turn the corner, so to speak.
So, what can we do? We can look at various projects, studies and exactly what has been happening not only in government, but at the Port Authority as well. Gasoline tax is not the answer (even if the state were to revert an earlier decision), but that too may be for a later time and another forum.
I think what we have here is passionate people who are frustrated at seeing what Pittsburgh can become, but not quite getting there. $7 fares will wreck some peoples budgets. I would love to simply say this is a result exclusively of the Port Authority's bad decisions or that of a politician, but you know what? They are all to blame. And those of us who are fortunate enough to have other options should be working on this to ensure our neighbors, families, and friends can get to work, to school, to the grocery store... all for a reasonable amount of money.
We need to be vocal both at this forum and at public comment periods at the Port Authority, through their committees and the like. Let's focus on getting ideas out there rather than judging past comments as either being more right or correct.
Where do we go from here?
