Cheers to the new 10% drink Tax--Give me the freakin Bottle !

[suzeeq521]

I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to post...however, public transit is a subject that is near and dear to my heart, so I thought I'd make a little time to mention a couple of things.

First of all - I'm sure that those who use it the most aren't drunk college students, etc. Fleetiebelle's assessment of who uses it is probably one of the best.

The students riding free can be confusing, because it is a complicated program. Even the students who use it probably don't know all of the details. Pitt and CMU students ride "free". It, as previously mentioned, isn't truly free, as a portion of certain student fees does go to the Port Authority. However, it is at a big discount - the amount from each student going to the Authority per year is less than the amount of a regularly purchased yearly pass. One of the major issues with the program is that it uses the school ID, which makes it difficult for drivers to know if the ID is truly valid. Also, there is a black-market for these items.

In addition to this program, the Authority also has a discount program with other schools. For example, students at Point Park University can purchase monthly passes at a 10% discount. They can only be purchased at the school's bookstore and requires a current student ID. There are quite a few schools that participate in this program.

Additionally, there are City of Pittsburgh Public School students who are issued bus passes, rather than have a school bus pick them up. Again, the school district does pay the Authority for this, but it is a discounted rate.

Also, it is quite possible to catch a bus late into the night. For example, last Friday, I left the South Side near last call and was able to get a bus home with no problem (and actually, there were quite a few riders on it.) It does depend on the bus, but some do run late night and with a bit of planning, it is quite possible to use the bus for bar hopping or other late night activities.

At one point, the Authority tested a specific late night route, the Ultra Violet Loop (a play on our multi-colored belt system). However, ridership on it was low and it was eventually cancelled. Some (like me) would argue it was an excellent idea with poor execution - the UV was very, very similar to the 54C, which already has excellent coverage late night (it is one of the rare buses that actually runs later on Saturdays than it does on any other day). A better attempt at late night buses would be one that doesn't copy service we already have in place.

Ahh, I have babbled on too long. As I said, this is a subject near and dear to my heart. I became enamored with it in college and actually chose it for a huge research project I did. Since then, I have made the decision to become transit reliant and got rid of my car (and I feel so free!) But to one other question...

yes, politicians drink. Or at least I think so. That is the only way I can think that the come up with some of the crazy stuff they do!

[fleetiebelle]

Well we ride for "free" only because the costs are built into our tuition!

I work at CMU and can use my ID for a bus pass, but I don't think I'm paying anything for it.

[guylocke]

I work at CMU and can use my ID for a bus pass, but I don't think I'm paying anything for it.

You better make sure they aren't taking it out of your paycheck!! LOL. I know the local universities are contracted to get better deals for yearly passes (as mentioned), but I know for a fact that whatever those deals may be, they are part of CMU and Pitt tuition.

[Pghtebbie]

When they first implemented the "free pass for students", I remember reading that it was a give & take system. The student fee was raised considerably at Pitt- from $25 to something like $50 or $80 per semester.

In kind, it increased ridership. Which then lead to an increase in tax dollars PAT could ask for.

Seeing as they keep getting their tax income reduced, I dont see how that's still working.

Oh, and I work for Pitt, and get to ride free. Whether or not it's to work or not. And it's not taken out of my paycheck. HR actually pushes it quite hard, b/c (as I was told at orientation 5 yrs ago) in the neighborhood of Oakland, they are not allowed to build ANY more parking lots/buildings. There is no where for new employees to park, unless a current employee gives up their spot. They also have incentives for car-pool, vanpool (the univ will give an employee a van if they pick 5+ ppl up), etc etc.