You think its bad for PAT now, it's about to get A LOT WORSE! (Pittsburgh: move, estimated)

[BrianTH]

Knock on wood, they are working out the terms of a face-saving deal in which they use concessions in the upcoming contract negotiations to justify a funding measure.

[Geeo]

They've got to come up with something. I'm sure Corbett doesn't want to be the governor remembered for letting the transit systems, highways and bridges fall apart under his leadership.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Knock on wood, they are working out the terms of a face-saving deal in which they use concessions in the upcoming contract negotiations to justify a funding measure.

So, obtaining concessions held this deal up?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

So, obtaining concessions held this deal up?

No, Corbett's endless delaying tactics did that.

But my (admittedly optimistic) interpretation of recent statements and reporting is that Corbett realizes time is finally up, and he is looking for a face-saving way to agree to something. It happens that PAT's union contract is up for renegotiation, so that provides him with an opportunity to say that whatever concessions PAT gets in those negotiations were the object of his plan all along.

[BrianTH]

Apparently Fitzgerald is feeling optimistic too:

Fitzgerald says he sees hope for transit - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Again, based on that article Corbett seems to have moved past the "it is a local problem" mode.

[Debbie1125]

No big surprise here. Philly will be facing the same thing as Pittsburgh come 2013. Yet Corbett still hasn't addressed the issue.

Metro - SEPTA now expects to deal with deficit in 2013

[Blackbeauty212]

Of course......SEPTA (Which is a much larger system than PAT) was eventually going to have to pay the same piper, SEPTA didn't have the legacy retiree cost that PAT did which was able to by them some more time....

Once the Philadelphia media takes hold of this story and people start screaming about it, Corbett will be backed into the corner....Eastern PA already HATES Corbett with a Passion, if SEPTA has to go implement the same level of cuts that PAT is....OMG! The Rage that's going to come from the East.

[Debbie1125]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Of course......SEPTA (Which is a much larger system than PAT) was eventually going to have to pay the same piper, SEPTA didn't have the legacy retiree cost that PAT did which was able to by them some more time....

Once the Philadelphia media takes hold of this story and people start screaming about it, Corbett will be backed into the corner....Eastern PA already HATES Corbett with a Passion, if SEPTA has to go implement the same level of cuts that PAT is....OMG! The Rage that's going to come from the East.

I agree. Fare hikes alone enrage people here....but SEPTA riders have not had to face the same as what's happening in Pittsburgh. This is particularly true with route eliminations and service cuts.

I know that I will be ready to voice my objections at the hearings and intend to let Corbett and the rest in Harrisburg know how I feel.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Apparently Fitzgerald is feeling optimistic too:

Fitzgerald says he sees hope for transit - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"One idea that he said was under discussion is merging the many agencies that provide public transit in the region.

"

Wonder if that means the whole metro area's transit agencies would be pushed into one big one?

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

"One idea that he said was under discussion is merging the many agencies that provide public transit in the region.

"

Wonder if that means the whole metro area's transit agencies would be pushed into one big one?

Pittsburgh needed a single Regional Transit Authority (SEPTA/MTA) long long long time ago.....PAT should've been an agency covering the 7 county Metro not just Allegheny County.

IIRC the smaller county transit agencies are having funding issues too.