Community Invited to Name Vehicle-Tracking System

Starting August 1, transit riders and local citizens are invited to suggest a name for Port Authority’s vehicle-tracking system by visiting http://paac.mindmixer.com. 

Participants can share their ideas or weigh in on ideas submitted by others. The conversation will be active through August 31; at that time, Port Authority will review the ideas and consider them.

The GPS-based tracking system is currently available on eight bus routes and additional bus routes will be added throughout the year. Port Authority will begin testing similar technology on its light rail system in 2015.

Riders can view vehicle-tracking information at realtime.portauthority.org.

August 2-3 Partial East Busway Closure

A portion of the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway will be closed this weekend for construction. The P1 East Busway-All Stops bus route will be detoured in both directions during the closure.

The busway will be closed between East Liberty Division and East Liberty Station all day Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3. The busway will reopen for Monday morning’s commute.

The P1 will not serve East Liberty station during the closure but will instead serve temporary stops at Ellsworth Avenue at Emerson Street. Riders should allow for extra travel time during the detour.
 
For complete detour information, visit portauthority.org or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or for TTY, 412-231-7007.

July 18-20 Partial East Busway Closure

A portion of the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway will be closed this weekend due to construction. The P1 East Busway-All Stops bus route will be detoured during the closure.

The busway will be closed between Port Authority’s East Liberty bus garage and the Neville Street ramp on Friday, July 18 from 9 p.m. until that evening’s end of service.

The P1 will not serve East Liberty or Negley stations during the closure. Temporary stops will be located on Ellsworth Avenue adjacent to East Liberty Station and on Ellsworth at Negley Avenue.

Additionally, all day Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, the busway will be closed between East Liberty bus garage and East Liberty Station. The P1 will not serve East Liberty Station during this time and temporary stops will be located on Ellsworth Avenue adjacent to the station.

Riders should allow for extra travel time during the detours.

The busway will reopen for Monday morning’s commute.

For complete detour information, visit PortAuthority.org or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY, 412-231-7007).

July 12-13 Weekend Red Line Detours

Port Authority will detour Red Line T service this weekend in order to conduct track repairs in Beechview.

Service will be detoured all day Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13.

Red Line service will detour in both directions using the Blue Line’s routing to South Hills Junction where it will resume regular routing to Station Square, Downtown and the North Shore. Local light rail shuttles will operate from Overbrook Junction to Potomac Station, and T stops from Potomac to South Hills Junction/Station Square will be served by bus shuttles.

Riders should allow for extra time when traveling on detoured service.

For more details, view the detour notice here or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

Fourth of July Service Information Posted

Port Authority's bus, T and incline service will operate on holiday schedules on Friday, July 4.

T routes will follow holiday schedules this Independence Day. Special brochures are available at major schedule rack locations and posted below as PDFs:

• Red Line: July 4, 2014 schedule
• Blue Line: July 4, 2014 schedule

For buses and incline, holiday schedules and hours are the same as Sunday schedules and hours.

The Customer Service phone line will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the Downtown Service Center will be closed Friday in observance of the holiday. Port Authority's Twitter account, @PGHtransit, will not be staffed over the holiday weekend.

For more details, call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

Port Authority Scores Big at Annual Telly Awards

Port Authority was recently presented an award for its new ConnectCard video during the 35th annual Telly Awards. The 60-second video, produced for Port Authority by Wrecking Crew Media, featured the Pirate Parrot riding the T and using his ConnectCard to get to the ballpark.

Port Authority ran the video as part of its year-long sponsorship with the Pittsburgh Pirates to promote the ConnectCard. Port Authority and the Pirates have partnered on a number of promotions since the ConnectCard was launched, including this season's Connect and Save promotion.

The Telly Awards honor outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs. For more information, visit TellyAwards.com.

Watch the award-winning video.

Buses Detour for Pride Events This Weekend

Numerous Port Authority bus routes will see detours and temporary stop changes in Downtown Pittsburgh this weekend for this year's Pittsburgh Pride events. 

Nineteen bus routes will be detoured all day Saturday, June 14 for the Pride in the Street event and concert that will close portions of Liberty Avenue and Smithfield Street.

On Sunday, June 15, multiple detours will be in place for the day-long Pride Fest event and the Pride Awareness March around midday. Altogether about 40 Port Authority bus routes will be impacted that day.

Additionally, riders should keep in mind that schedule changes go into effect on light rail service and several bus routes starting Sunday.

Please allow for extra time when using detoured routes.

For more information, call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

Reminder: Schedule Changes Go Into Effect Sunday

Service for approximately 11 bus and light rail routes will be adjusted effective Sunday, June 15, 2014. Port Authority of Allegheny County routinely adjusts schedules four times per year.

Major adjustments include an overall increase in weekend service on the light rail system. Port Authority’s Subway Local limited service will be eliminated in favor of increased weekend frequency on the Red and Blue lines. An additional late-night weekday trip will also be added on Red Line.

Adjustments are based on data, such as passenger counts by stop and time, as well as feedback from operators and riders. Port Authority intends to make further system improvements later this year as additional operating funding goes into effect.

For more information on the adjustments, including links to new schedules, visit our Service Changes page.

Forward Thinking Closes this Friday

For the past four weeks, Port Authority invited transit riders and local citizens to join the conversation on the future of public transportation on the community engagement website Forward Thinking.  Thanks to more than 2,400 participants, Port Authority has collected more than 300 ideas to formulate a vision of what a modern transit system would look like for Allegheny County.

This Friday, June 13, Forward Thinking is wrapping up, but that doesn’t mean that the conversation is over. Later this year, Port Authority will give the community more opportunities to weigh in and participate in shaping our future. We are looking to the public to continue this conversation even after Forward Thinking ends.

Port Authority will be taking your comments and using them to help make future decisions on projects to enhance the rider experience and make the system more user-friendly. We’re committed to a new vision for Port Authority that is more transparent, accessible and modern.

East Busway Detour This Weekend

A portion of the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway will be closed this weekend so that Port Authority can demolish the closed pedestrian bridge and staircase at Negley Station. The P1 East Busway-All Stops and P3 East Busway-Oakland bus routes will be detoured during the closure.

The busway will be closed between Port Authority’s East Liberty bus garage and the Neville Street ramp from Friday, June 6 at 8 p.m. until end of service Sunday, June 8. The busway will reopen for Monday morning’s commute.

The P1 and P3 will not serve Negley or East Liberty stations during the closure but will instead serve nearby temporary stops. Riders should allow for extra travel time during the detour.

Please note that Port Authority's real-time vehicle tracking cannot currently display detours. Therefore the P1 and P3 will not be tracked along the detoured portion of their routes during the busway closure.

The pedestrian bridge and staircase at Negley Station have been closed since October 2007 due to deteriorating conditions. A separate entrance ramp provides access to the station from Negley Avenue.

For more information, view the notice or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or for TTY, 412-231-7007.

Take Transit to the Three Rivers Arts Festival

It's easy to visit the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival using public transportation. Port Authority of Allegheny County's light rail and bus service connects Downtown Pittsburgh to communities throughout the region.

Most Arts Festival activities are located just steps from Port Authority's Gateway Station light rail station and a short walk from numerous Downtown bus routes.

For help in planning a transit trip, visit PortAuthority.org, use Google Maps or contact Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

Occasional riders and visitors are encouraged to use Port Authority's fare card system, ConnectCard, for the quickest, most secure and most convenient way to pay their transit fare.

ConnectCards with stored cash value are available for purchase at Port Authority's Downtown Service Center, most area Giant Eagle locations and other selected retailers. A one-way trip to Downtown is $2.50 from city neighborhoods and adjacent suburbs, or $3.75 from outer suburbs.

Once you have a card, it never expires and can be reloaded at any ConnectCard machine in addition to retail locations.

Calendar week passes and 10-trip blocks are available on ConnecTix, limited-use paper cards that are sold from ConnectCard machines.

For more details, view a map and list of all ConnectCard and ConnecTix locations.

Special fares are also available for seniors, riders with disabilities and children. Learn more.

CANCELED: East Busway Closure and P1 Detour

The partial closure of the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway scheduled for this weekend (May 30-June 1) has been canceled.

As a result, the P1 East Busway-All Stops bus route will remain on regular routing and serve all stations this weekend.

Work to demolish Negley Station’s closed pedestrian bridge and staircase will be rescheduled for a later date.

Bus and T Detours for Transit Tunnel Closure This Weekend

The Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel will be closed for rail maintenance all day Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. During the closure, light rail service and several bus routes will be detoured.

Red and Blue line service will detour in both directions via Allentown, bypassing Station Square. Special rail shuttle service will operate between Station Square, Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore. Riders must transfer from the Red or Blue line to the rail shuttle for Station Square service. Delays of around 10 minutes should be expected due to the detour.

Seven Port Authority bus routes will be detoured inbound via Arlington and Warrington avenues and outbound via the Wabash Tunnel, with minor temporary stop changes resulting from the detour.

All riders using detoured service should allow for extra travel time.

For more information, view our detour notice or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

West Busway riders were treated to Eat'n Park goodies during the afternoon rush on Tuesday, May 20. Smiley the mascot posed for photos and thanked riders for their dedication to Port Authority. Look for continued celebration of the 50th Anniversary as the summer goes on.

 

Port Authority Memorial Day Service

Port Authority of Allegheny County's bus, T and incline service will operate on holiday schedules for Memorial Day, this Monday, May 26.

The Customer Service phone line will hold holiday hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Downtown Service Center will be closed on Memorial Day.

Port Authority's Twitter account (@PGHtransit) will not be staffed on Memorial Day.

Light rail service will operate as two-car trains throughout much of the weekend due to the Pirates home games, and extra T service/subway local service will be added for high-attendance games.

West Busway Detour for 28X and G2 This Sunday

Port Authority’s West Busway will be partially closed from 6 a.m. to noon on Sunday, May 18 due to a community event for the Special Olympics.

Two bus routes will be affected in both directions: the 28X Airport Flyer service to Bell and Idlewood stations and the G2 West Busway-All Stops service to Bell, Idlewood and Carnegie stations.

Instead of serving those stations, buses will instead serve the following temporary stops located off the Busway:

28X

INBOUND	OUTBOUND
Anthony at Noblestown	Noblestown at Morange (at Bishop Canevin)
Noblestown opp Morange (opp Bishop Canevin)	Chestnut at E. Main

G2

INBOUND	OUTBOUND
Third at W. Main	Noblestown at Morange (at Bishop Canevin)
Mansfield opp Campbell's Run	Jane at Chestnut
Mansfield at Chestnut	Mansfield at Campbell's Run (farside at bus shelter)
Noblestown opp Morange (opp Bishop Canevin)	Third  Main

Riders should allow for extra time when traveling on detoured routes.

For questions, contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or for TTY, 412-231-7007.

Red Line Detour May 17-18

Red Line T service will detour in both directions this weekend so that Port Authority of Allegheny County can conduct rail maintenance in Dormont.

The detour will be in effect all day Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, with regular routing to resume with Monday morning’s commute.

Red Line service will detour via the Overbrook line (along the Blue Line’s routing) between Overbrook Junction/Willow and South Hills Junction. Local rail shuttles will operate between Overbrook Junction and Dormont Junction, bus shuttles between Dormont Junction and Potomac Station and local rail shuttles will operate between Potomac and South Hills Junction.

Riders should allow for extra time when traveling on detoured service.

In some cases, riders may wish to travel in the opposite direction then transfer to service in their intended direction in order to minimize transfers. For example, a rider heading into Downtown from Arlington Stop may wish to ride outbound on the rail shuttle, then transfer once at Overbrook Junction/Willow to inbound Blue Line or detoured Red Line.

For complete information, please view our Detour Notice or the map below, or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).



View Red Line Detour for Rail Maintenance: May 17-18, 2014 in a larger map

Port Authority Invites Riders to Join Conversation on Future of Public Transportation

Help Port Authority shape the future of transit in our region.

Transit riders and local citizens are invited to share their vision for the future of public transportation by visiting Port Authority’s new community engagement website, Forward Thinking, located at http://paac.mindmixer.com.  

The site presents a variety of questions on topics including capital projects, barriers to transit use, and accessibility for seniors and riders with disabilities. Participants can share their thoughts or weigh in on ideas submitted by others.

Also participating in the site discussion are local officials and Port Authority leadership, including CEO Ellen McLean, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Port Authority Board members Sen. Jim Brewster, Rep. Dom Costa and John Tague.

The site will be active through June 13 at minimum. The site launch also coincides with this week’s Urban Land Institute (ULI) advisory panel on public transportation. The ULI panel will be focusing on strategies for improving transit, interviewing local officials and stakeholders, and presenting its recommendations at the end of the week. 

Riders and community members who do not have internet access are invited to share their vision of a modern public transportation system by mailing their ideas to:

Port Authority of Allegheny County

Forward Thinking

Attn: Communications Department

345 Sixth Avenue, Floor 3

Pittsburgh PA 15222

May 11 Work Near Transit Tunnel to Impact Bus and T

The Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel will be closed to buses for part of the day Sunday, May 11 so that Port Authority may conduct rail maintenance.

The closure will be in effect from the morning’s start of service until about 1 p.m.

This work has been rescheduled from May 10.

During the closure, affected bus routes will be detoured inbound via Allentown and outbound via the Wabash Tunnel. Riders should allow for extra travel time due to the detour.

T service will still use the tunnel but will single-track in the affected area during this time, with all inbound service using the outbound platforms at South Hills Junction and Station Square. Outbound T service will remain regular route during this time. Delays of around five to eight minutes may occur due to single-tracking.

For more information, please view our Detour Notice or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

Sunday Night: Transit Tunnel Closed to Buses; T to Single-Track

The Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel will be closed to buses from 6 p.m. Sunday until the evening’s end of service so that Port Authority may conduct rail maintenance.

During the closure, a small number of bus routes will be detoured inbound via Allentown and outbound via the Wabash Tunnel. Riders should allow for extra travel time due to the detour.

T service will still use the tunnel but will single-track in the affected area during this time, with all inbound service using the outbound platforms at South Hills Junction and Station Square. Outbound T service will remain regular route during this time. Delays of around five to eight minutes may occur due to single-tracking.

Please note that all Pittsburgh Marathon-related detours will end by around 3 p.m. Sunday and will not overlap with this detour.

For assistance or more information, contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

Marathon Weekend Transit Information

Port Authority bus service will be extensively detoured this weekend due to street closures for the annual Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and related events. Additionally, extra service and extended hours will be available on the East Busway, West Busway, inclines and light rail system on Sunday morning to assist participants traveling to the marathon start line.

More than 50 Port Authority bus routes will be detoured throughout the city during the full marathon on Sunday, May 4. Detours will begin with start of service and are expected to last until about 3 p.m. All routes will remain on detour until this time regardless of when local streets reopen. During the marathon, riders should anticipate delays and allow for extra time when traveling.

In Downtown, buses will be rerouted to serve stops near Steel Plaza T station, where riders may transfer to the T for free. Additionally, routes normally serving both Squirrel Hill and Oakland will not serve Oakland during the marathon, but a free shuttle will transport riders between the two neighborhoods

On Sunday, light rail service will begin around 4 a.m. and both inclines will open early at 5 a.m. Early morning trips will be added on the East and West busways.

Smaller detours will be in effect in Downtown and on the North Side on Friday and Saturday for marathon set-up and other events, like the 5K race and children’s marathon.

Complete information on detours and extra service is available on our Marathon Information page or by calling Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

Mon Incline Closed for Maintenance This Weekend

The Monongahela Incline will be closed this Saturday and Sunday (April 26-27) so that Port Authority can conduct mechanical maintenance.

Bus shuttles will provide service between the incline’s upper and lower stations during the closure.

The incline is expected to reopen in time for Monday morning's commute.

For more information, dial Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007) or view the Detour Notice.

Port Authority's 50th Anniversary Bus & T Wraps

Port Authority celebrates the past but looks to the future of transit in Allegheny County.  Step back in time and ride on one of our Anniversary Bus or T's. #50yrsPGHTransit



Easter Weekend Service Information

Port Authority of Allegheny County's bus, T and incline service will follow regular weekday schedules on Friday, April 18 (Good Friday), but the Downtown Service Center on Smithfield Street will be closed in observance of the holiday.

The Customer Service phone line will be open Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

On Saturday and Easter Sunday, the Customer Service phone line will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and transit service will follow Saturday and Sunday schedules, respectively. 

Port Authority's Twitter account will not be staffed on Good Friday.

Port Authority Celebrates 50 years by Connecting Riders to Goodies during Morning Rush

On Thursday morning, March 27th, Port Authority commemorates the past 50 years while looking to the future of Pittsburgh public transit.  Celebrate with us beginning at 7:30 am and join the Authority’s friends at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum as they distribute small tokens of our appreciation to riders at Steel Plaza, Gateway and North Side T Stations.*

Panera Bread will kick things off at Gateway Station distributing goodies to morning commuters on Thursday, March 27th.  On Friday morning, Brueggers’ Bagels greets riders with free takeaways at Steel Plaza and Wood Street T Stations and on Tuesday, April 1st, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review will be at the North Side T Station with more freebies to wrap things up.*

 

Stay tuned to 91.3 WYEP for more information and upcoming events surrounding Port Authority’s 50th! 

*One per customer, while supplies last.

 

Service Adjustments Take Effect March 16

Schedules for nearly 30 bus routes will be adjusted effective Sunday, March 16, 2014. Port Authority of Allegheny County routinely adjusts schedules four times per year.

Adjustments are based on data, such as passenger counts by stop and time, as well as feedback from operators and riders. Port Authority intends to make further system improvements later this year as additional operating funding goes into effect.

Descriptions of the adjustments are included below along with links to the new schedules that will go into effect on the 16th.

The next schedule changes will take place in June.

• 1 Freeport Road: Due to the completion of 31st Street Bridge construction, permanent stops are established at 31st Street Bridge Ramp at Rialto Street (inbound) and at the 31st Street Bridge Ramp at the 31st Street Bridge (outbound). However, due to an ongoing detour for Route 28 construction, the new permanent outbound stop will not be served until the completion of that work later this year, and a temporary outbound stop will be established at River Avenue at the 31 Street Bridge.

• 2 Mt. Royal: Due to the completion of 31st Street Bridge construction, permanent stops are established at 31st Street Bridge Ramp at Rialto Street (inbound) and at the 31st Street Bridge Ramp at the 31st Street Bridge (outbound). However, due to an ongoing detour for Route 28 construction, the new permanent outbound stop will not be served until the completion of that work later this year, and a temporary outbound stop will be established at River Avenue at the 31 Street Bridge.

• 14 Ohio Valley: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 16 Brighton: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 17 Shadeland: Trip times will be adjusted.

• 19L Emsworth Limited: Trip times will be adjusted.

• 26 Chartiers: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 27 Fairywood: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 29 Robinson: Trip times will be adjusted.

• 31 Bridgeville: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 51 Carrick: Trip frequency on weekdays between 7:20 a.m. and 8 a.m. will be increased from every 10 minutes to every 8 minutes, adding one trip.

• 53 Homestead Park: Three inbound and four outbound midday trips will be converted to 53L trips, extending service to Greenfield, South Oakland and Downtown Pittsburgh.

• 53L Homestead Park Limited: Three new inbound and four new outbound midday trips will be added (converted from 53 Homestead Park trips). The inbound trips will arrive Downtown at 10:10 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 4:05 p.m.  The outbound trips will depart Downtown at 9:15 a.m., 10:10 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. These trips will serve The Waterfront.

• 61A North Braddock: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 61B Braddock-Swissvale: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 61C McKeesport-Homestead: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 61D Murray: Schedule times for weekday late morning inbound trips will be adjusted. The weekday p.m. short outbound trips (from Oakland to Greenfield) will be shifted to later in the day. Instead of running between approximately 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., these trips will run between approximately 4:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

• 67 Monroeville: Trip times will be adjusted for all days, especially in the evening.

• 69 Trafford: Routing will change in Trafford at the request of the borough. Outbound buses will operate from Pitcairn-Trafford Road via Forbes Road, 7th Street, Forest Avenue, 5th Street and Brinton Avenue to Viaduct Way, and operate the reverse of that routing for inbound service. Stops and schedules will be changed to reflect the new routing.

• 71A Negley: Weekday service frequency will decrease between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and increase between 7 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. to better match rider demand. Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 71B Highland Park: Weekday service frequency will decrease between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and increase between 7 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. to better match rider demand. Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 71C Point Breeze: Weekday service frequency will decrease between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and increase between 7 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. to better match rider demand. Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 71D Hamilton: Weekday service frequency will decrease between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and increase between 7 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. to better match rider demand. Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• 75 Ellsworth: Trip times will be adjusted for all days.

• G31 Bridgeville Flyer: Trip times will be adjusted.

• P1 East Busway-All Stops: To better match rider demand, weekday service frequency will be adjusted between approximately 2:20 p.m. and 4:05 p.m., and increased between approximately 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., including the addition of two round trips.

• P69 Trafford Flyer: Routing will change in Trafford at the request of the borough. Outbound buses will operate from Pitcairn-Trafford Road via Forbes Road, 7th Street, Forest Avenue, 5th Street and Brinton Avenue to Viaduct Way, and operate the reverse of that routing for inbound service. Stops and schedules will be changed to reflect the new routing.

• Y1 Large Flyer: An outbound trip will be added at 3:13 p.m.

Wabash Tunnel Closures Next Week

The Wabash Tunnel will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily next week (Monday, March 10 through Friday, March 14) for ventilation fan replacement.

The tunnel provides a shortcut for motorists between Route 51 and the South Side. Port Authority routes do not normally use the tunnel.

Clocks Change on Sunday

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend as clocks set forward one hour on Sunday at 2 a.m.

If you're a late night rider, please be advised that Port Authority service and schedules will remain on Standard Time until service ends that night.

Then when Port Authority service resumes later Sunday morning, we'll be on Daylight Saving Time.

Port Authority Celebrates 50 Years This Year

March 1, 2014 marks Port Authority of Allegheny County’s 50^th anniversary.

Port Authority was created in 1959 when the Pennsylvania Legislature authorized the consolidation of 33 private transit carriers. By combining fare structures and centralizing operations, Port Authority established the first unified transit system in Allegheny County, officially coming into existence on March 1, 1964.

Be sure to keep an eye out in the months ahead as we commemorate 50 years of connecting people to life.

To learn more about Port Authority, visit the About Us page.

Police Investigating ConnectCard Fraud

Port Authority Police are currently investigating the fraudulent reproduction of ConnectCards and have several arrests pending. Riders should be assured that no security breach or identify theft has occurred, and customer information has not been compromised. “This is simply a case of an individual producing fraudulent smart cards and selling them outside of legitimate ConnectCard retail channels,” said Port Authority Police Det. Kevin Atkins. The technology used in ConnectCards has aided in detecting and deactivating fraudulent cards. The introduction of this technology has made it easier for Port Authority to stop fraud, especially when compared to the former paper pass system. This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with any additional information regarding this case should contact Port Authority Police at 412-255-1385.

Presidents Day Service Information

Port Authority of Allegheny County will provide regular weekday bus, light rail and incline service on Presidents Day (Monday, Feb. 17).

The Authority’s Downtown Service Center on Smithfield Street will be closed Monday in observance of the holiday. Additionally, the Authority's Twitter account, @PGHTransit, will not be staffed Monday.

The Customer Service phone line will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the holiday. Dial 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007) for assistance.

Wabash Tunnel Work Continues Next Week

Ventilation fan replacement work in the Wabash Tunnel will continue during the week of February 10-14.

The tunnel will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily from Monday, February 10 through Friday, February 14.

The tunnel provides a shortcut for motorists between Route 51 and the South Side. Port Authority transit routes do not normally use the tunnel.

Wabash Tunnel Closures: Feb. 3-7

The Wabash Tunnel will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily Monday, February 3 through Friday, February 7 for ventilation fan replacement.

The tunnel provides a shortcut for motorists between Route 51 and the South Side. Port Authority bus and light rail routes do not use the tunnel.

Board of Directors Hires Ellen McLean as CEO

Port Authority’s Board of Directors today voted to hire Ellen McLean as CEO of the transit agency. McLean’s contract is effective February 1 and extends for three years, with options to extend the agreement for up to two additional years.

McLean currently is the Interim CEO and previously served as the Authority’s Chief Finance Officer.

“Ellen is the right person at the right time for Port Authority,” said Port Authority Chairman Bob Hurley. “Ellen’s financial expertise and ability to work collaboratively toward solutions has set her apart. It’s become abundantly clear over the past six months that she is the right person to lead Port Authority at this most critical time. We need a leader with sharp financial instincts to take full advantage of the public transportation funding approved last year by the State Legislature and Gov. Tom Corbett.”

McLean has successfully led the Authority through a challenging period that included the formation of a new Board of Directors under a change in state law, and change in CEO. During this time, McLean effectively worked with local and state officials to help ensure the success of a comprehensive transportation funding bill that directly benefits public transportation in Allegheny County.

"Ellen has really proven herself to be the right leader for the Port Authority," said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. "Over the past few months, she has focused on improving service, implementing real time technology for riders, advocating for the agency and its users in the negotiations on transportation funding, moving the Bus Rapid Transit project forward and increasing advertising revenues. She has met every challenge, established strong relationships with each of our stakeholders and has led the agency with poise and determination. I look forward to continuing to work with her and the rest of our partners as we improve and strengthen our transit system."

McLean joined Port Authority in 2010 as its Chief Financial Officer, overseeing financial planning, operating and capital budgets and other areas. Her previous experience includes serving for six years as Chief Financial Officer of the City of Pittsburgh under Mayor Tom Murphy and later as Managing Director of Infrastructure Initiatives for the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C.

"We've developed a positive relationship with Ellen McLean and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald through the last few years, working on legislation and our last labor agreement," said Steve Palonis, President/Business Agent for ATU Local 85. "I think we all agree that public transportation is a right for residents of Allegheny County. And, I think Ellen brings stability and positive direction to the Authority."

McLean will be paid an annual salary of $215,000. The average CEO salary nationally for transit agencies of similar size is about $254,000, according to 2012 data from the American Public Transportation Association.

“I’m very pleased to lead this agency and look forward to working to improve our transit system for this region,” McLean said. “This is a team effort and I’m thrilled to do this alongside a strong Board of Directors, an engaged union leadership, community partners and support from public officials.

“Together, we can make very positive change in our public transportation system. We intend to move forward in a strategic and deliberate manner.”

CANCELED: Weekend Transit Tunnel Closure & Detours

This weekend’s planned closure of the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel is canceled due to the weather forecast.

Light rail and buses that use the tunnel will operate on regular route.

A new date for the tunnel closure and detour will be announced at a later time.

Jan. 24-26 Transit Tunnel Closure & Detours

Port Authority’s light rail system and several bus routes will detour all weekend starting at 9 p.m. Friday, January 24 due to continuing ventilation system work in the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel.

During the closure, Red Line and Blue Line service will be routed over the former Allentown Line in both directions. Due to the detour, Red Line and Blue Line cars will be unable to serve Station Square, so a rail shuttle will operate between Station Square and First Avenue Station to help riders connect to and from Station Square. Subway Local service will also operate on Saturday and Sunday, but will not serve South Hills Junction.

Buses that normally use the tunnel will also be detoured. Riders using detoured bus and light rail service should allow for extra travel time.

Regular service is expected to be restored by Monday morning.

This detour is subject to postponement due to weather. Port Authority will issue an updated release if the work is postponed or canceled.

For more information, please view the Detour Notice or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007).

Martin Luther King Day Service Information

Port Authority of Allegheny County’s bus, light rail and incline service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 20).

The Downtown Service Center on Smithfield Street will be closed Monday in observance of the holiday.

The Customer Service phone line will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Authority's Twitter account (@PGHtransit) won't be staffed on the holiday.

2014 Spirit of King Honorees Announced

Rev. LeRoy Patrick and August Wilson will be honored Thursday, Jan. 16, at the 2014 Spirit of King Award Ceremony.

The Spirit of King Award, established in 1989 by the Kingsley Association, Port Authority of Allegheny County and the Pittsburgh Pirates, posthumously honors the lifetime achievements of local citizens who pursue human rights and equality in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thursday’s ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. at the Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Avenue.

Rev. LeRoy Patrick (1915-2006) was a prominent civil rights activist in Pittsburgh throughout the 1950s and 1960s, using his position as a respected clergyman to advocate for equality for African-Americans in the fields of education, employment and housing. During his lifetime, he helped to integrate the city’s public pools, served as president of the Pittsburgh School Board and served on the Pittsburgh NAACP, Allegheny County Council on Civil Rights and Allegheny County Committee for Fair Housing Practices, among other organizations. Rev. Patrick presided over the Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Homewood and helped run the church’s Bethesda Center, a social service organization providing recreation, employment, family development and spiritual outreach to the local community.

Famed playwright August Wilson (1945-2005) drew much of his inspiration from his community, the Hill District. He enjoyed observing people in his neighborhood, many of whom would become characters in his writings. His Pittsburgh Cycle of plays, depicting African-American life in the 20th century, earned Wilson many accolades, including two Pulitzer Prizes, a Tony Award and numerous New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Following his death, the Virginia Theatre on Broadway in New York City was renamed the August Wilson Theatre in his honor. The August Wilson Center for African American Culture opened in Downtown Pittsburgh in 2006 as a tribute to his lifetime of literary achievements, and his childhood home was declared a historic landmark by the state in 2007.

To learn more about Rev. LeRoy Patrick and August Wilson as well as past honorees, visit the Spirit of King webpage.

January Planning & Stakeholder Meeting Canceled

Port Authority of Allegheny County has canceled the Planning & Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 15. The Performance Oversight Committee meeting will still be held that day at 8:30 a.m.

For 2014, all Committee meetings have shifted from the third Wednesday of each month to the third Thursday of the month (with the exception of this month and November). There are no public meetings scheduled for the months of August and December. 
 
All meetings are held in the Neal H. Holmes Board Room, 5th Floor of the Heinz 57 Center, located at 345 Sixth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh.