Port Authority warns of route and job cuts (Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg: school, college)

[caroline2]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

Is it possible for PAT to file for bankruptcy? If it is then you can ask a bankruptcy judge to throw out the excessive pensions and other limiting contractual obligations. Frankly, arbitration is to blame for a lot of the mess referred to in caroline2's article. Right now mandatory arbitration is killing our government ability to discipline employees (police, etc.)

robrobrob: And that article pre-dates this sociopath:

Fired Pittsburgh transit worker reinstated - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Yes, fake a racist incident, clearly setting the stage for a large, fraudulent lawsuit, be stupid enough to get caught... but god damn, the arbitrator isn't going to let you lose your job.

But as much as pensions are clearly a problem, I really don't want to see them get thrown out. Contribute more than a token amount to their health care, sure, but not thrown out. In a way, the pensions serve as a distraction for the egregious -- and expensive behavior -- that is still permitted. The union would prefer that we focus on lavish commitments, overtime weaseling, etc. made 20 and 30 years ago, with the implicit suggestion that that sort of stuff doesn't go on any more. Bull****.

"On average, one out of three off-board fare collectors failed to report for work on a daily basis in 2004, and one in six last year, leaving light-rail fare booths unattended, thereby slowing service because operators were required to idle at stations while collecting fares on-board in their absence."

Un-freaking-real.

[BrianTH]

An article on what an economic disaster it would be if PAT had to cut service:

Costs to displaced transit riders could outweigh the $47M Port Authority needs

[groar]

when are people going to get it through their skulls that public transit is a public good that benefits way more people than just riders? gah.

i'm not talking about anyone in this thread (i actually haven't read it), just a general societal attitude towards public transportation; this idea that it has to pay for itself in a very direct way, when it really pays for itself many times over in an indirect way.

[grimacista]

Originally Posted by caroline2

robrobrob: And that article pre-dates this sociopath:

Fired Pittsburgh transit worker reinstated - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Yes, fake a racist incident, clearly setting the stage for a large, fraudulent lawsuit, be stupid enough to get caught... but god damn, the arbitrator isn't going to let you lose your job.

But as much as pensions are clearly a problem, I really don't want to see them get thrown out. Contribute more than a token amount to their health care, sure, but not thrown out. In a way, the pensions serve as a distraction for the egregious -- and expensive behavior -- that is still permitted. The union would prefer that we focus on lavish commitments, overtime weaseling, etc. made 20 and 30 years ago, with the implicit suggestion that that sort of stuff doesn't go on any more. Bull****.

"On average, one out of three off-board fare collectors failed to report for work on a daily basis in 2004, and one in six last year, leaving light-rail fare booths unattended, thereby slowing service because operators were required to idle at stations while collecting fares on-board in their absence."

Un-freaking-real.

Don't forget the workers at the old PAT headquarters whose job it was to count the money in the money bins but made disability claims because they said they hurt their hands on the job.

[jay5835]

Does anyone remember if we used to smoke on the bus, say 1960s-1970s? We were talking about this the other night, and no one (smokers or ex-smokers all) could remember.

[Little Mizz Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Does anyone remember if we used to smoke on the bus, say 1960s-1970s? We were talking about this the other night, and no one (smokers or ex-smokers all) could remember.

Yes, you could smoke on the bus back then. My aunt drove for Port Authority for over 25 years and she would take me and my cousins to work with her back in the day. We'd be on the bus, for HOURS, while she was driving, and yes people smoked on the bus. I remember it vividly and this was back in the late 70's.

[Geeo]

I remember people smoking in the 80s, but not many. There were signs that said "No Smoking" at the front, but in those days the bus windows opened and they blew the smoke out. I never remember anyone complaining. Of course, today nobody would think of lighting up on a bus or trolley.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Little Mizz Pittsburgh

Yes, you could smoke on the bus back then. My aunt drove for Port Authority for over 25 years and she would take me and my cousins to work with her back in the day. We'd be on the bus, for HOURS, while she was driving, and yes people smoked on the bus. I remember it vividly and this was back in the late 70's.

Originally Posted by Geeo

I remember people smoking in the 80s, but not many. There were signs that said "No Smoking" at the front, but in those days the bus windows opened and they blew the smoke out. I never remember anyone complaining. Of course, today nobody would think of lighting up on a bus or trolley.

Thanks to you both. I smoked then (1970s), and took the bus to Pitt, but I couldn't remember if we were allowed to do both at the same time. I kind of thought "yes," because not being able to smoke seems like something I'd remember. So I'm glad to know my memory isn't completely shot.

[Perryview22]

Originally Posted by Tirade

I see it's that time of the year where the PAT starts threatening service cuts in order to get more money. Just like clockwork.

I hear you!

I know there are legitimate reasons attributable to the general economic climate at the state level and beyond, but...I have to wonder...are "they" being good stewards of the people's money? I think we all know the likely answer to that.

[BrianTH]

Recently PAT has cut its benefit costs, improved its operating efficiency, and the TDP they are rolling out will do a lot more. I'm not claiming they are perfect, but vital services like this won't get better and more efficient if efforts like these aren't recognized.