As a component of the Port Authority’s Connect ’09 initiative, a Transit Development Plan will help us identify service models that are the best fit for our traditional and emerging neighborhoods.  Through an assessment of existing service along with an extensive public input process, we will develop a plan to redesign the way Port Authority provides service.  The primary goals of the plan include:

• Improve the Port Authority’s service within available resources
• Use existing resources more effectively
• Reconfigure service to match current demand
• Make service simpler, faster, and more direct
• Implement innovative new services
• Improve service for existing riders
• Attract new riders
• Improve integration of bus service with other modes of service
• Develop a program that the public and key stakeholders will embrace

Connect ’09 is an ambitious 18-month initiative to connect the region, its neighborhoods and resources, and Port Authority customers and employees.  “While we continue to work toward achieving long-term public transit funding solutions in Pennsylvania, we must also begin to formulate significant changes to our business model that will ensure the most efficient operations possible with available funding in the future,” said Port Authority Chief Executive Officer Steve Bland.

“Among the primary goals of this broad analysis of our business practices, to be completed in 2009, are the creation of a Transit Development Plan that uses extensive public input to redesign our service and the achievement of more seamless regional transit services made possible in part by modern fare collection technologies.”

The primary goals of Connect ’09, which Port Authority hopes to achieve by Calendar Year 2009, include connecting neighborhoods through new service models and connecting the region by enhancing coordination of transit services and adopting a regional fare collection system.   The Transit Development Plan is one component of Connect '09.  Another important component of Connect '09 is increased coordination with regional transit operators.

The Port Authority is managing and has overall responsibility for this project. The consultant team, led by Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc., will conduct most of the technical work and support the Port Authority as it develops the plan.  The Port Authority’s Board of Directors has endorsed the undertaking of the Transit Development Plan and will provide final approval of its recommendations.

See the Port Authority Board

The Port Authority Board of Directors will have responsibility for approving the recommended plan and any proposed changes that may affect the Port Authority budget. A recommended plan will be presented to the Board. Formal approval by the Board will be necessary for any proposed changes that may affect the Port Authority budget

During the three phases of the study, we will be holding meetings at various locations throughout the County.  If you would like to receive an email alert reminder regarding meeting dates and locations, please sign up here for updates.

We anticipate that the study will occur over 15 months and be completed in early 2009 with recommendations for configuration of service for 2009 and 2012.   Several activities will be occurring as a part of the Transit Development Plan including:

• Identifying demographics and travel trends
• Comparing Port Authority services with those provided in other similar areas
• Evaluating the effectiveness of existing services
• Developing potential service improvements
• Evaluating potential service improvements
• Recommending service improvements
  

The plan will be designed to better meet the needs of transit users in Allegheny County.  Because many urban neighborhoods have witnessed significant population declines and demographic changes, and because many suburban areas have seen significant growth in patterns that do not support traditional transit approaches, a redefined transit service could possibly include neighborhood circulators, trunk and feeder services and demand responsive services.

You can help us define what those new service models are by providing us feedback throughout the study. 

The project is funded by grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Heinz Family Foundation. 

In 2007, state and local funding measures were enacted to address the budget deficit.  However, state and local elected officials are also requesting Port Authority to improve the efficiency of its operations to ensure that this new funding is being used optimally.

The Transportation Funding & Reform Commission determined that Port Authority "needs to pursue more detailed route-by-route analysis, with focus on financial performance indicators to better align service to needs and effectiveness."

Implementation of the Transit Development Plan’s recommendations can improve Port Authority’s financial situation by increasing ridership on some underutilized services and reducing bus operations costs.

The Transit Development Plan will evaluate the entire bus transit system to identify communities in need of transit service expansion or infrastructure improvements, as well as areas where duplication of service or very low ridership might warrant reallocation of service. We anticipate having draft recommendations of potential service changes in late 2008. The draft recommendations will be made available for public input and feedback.

The Transit Development Plan is intended to improve service within existing budget levels.  Service should improve for most riders as a result of this plan, and some services will likely be reallocated from areas with lower demand to areas with higher demand or to new areas.  However, this project will not result in a decrease in the overall level of service that the Port Authority currently provides, nor will it result in any increases in fares.  Another major component of the Connect ’09 initiative will evaluate new technologies and methods for fare collection in order to improve bus operations and make transit more usable.

Public review and input on the Transit Development Plan will be solicited throughout the project. Extensive input from both riders and non-riders as well as community organizations, civic groups, employers, educational, cultural and medical institutions and other interested individuals and organizations will help develop the Transit Development Plan. There will be a number of opportunities to comment on the plan as it is being developed, including feedback via email, phone, mail or at meetings throughout the county. For more information, please see Getting Involved.