Riders Demand Action To Prevent Port Authority Cuts
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Several hundred public transit riders and supporters demonstrated outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, protesting Governor Corbett's failure to address the public transit crisis that, the Port Authority says, will lead to higher fares and a 35 percent cut in bus service.
"Governor 'Corporate' is representing the interests of corporations, not the interests of people," Calvin Skinner of One Pittsburgh told the crowd.
Protestors accused Corbett of being AWOL on an issue that affects thousands of working people in Allegheny County.
"This is a state level problem, and it requires state level leadership, and that means the governor," says Dave Ninehouser of the We Are One Coalition.
Inside the convention center, several hundred individuals took turns addressing the Port Authority board, but protestors got into that act, too.
After an exuberant demonstration outside, the protestors moved inside to the public hearing where a man pretending to be Governor Corbett made a surprise appearance.
Before and after the street theater, hundreds of speakers kept up a stream of formal objections to proposed fare hikes and bus service cuts with calls on Corbett to get involved to prevent it.
"You, Governor Corbett, were elected by the people, and now it's your time to do what's right for the people," Pat McMahon of the Amalgamated Transit Union told the crowd.
If allowed to stand, 46 of the current 102 bus routes will be wiped out, including some ACCESS service to seniors and those with disabilities.
"We understand that changes have to be made and we understand that things are going to change, but not at the cost of our most vulnerable citizens in Allegheny County," Scott Douglass of Milestone told KDKA Political Editor Jon Delano.
The focus on Corbett is no surprise. His predecessor, Governor Rendell, always found a way to find some state or federal money to save the Port Authority Transit. To date, Governor Corbett has not said, if or how, he will do the same.
Outside the convention center, protestors objected to Corbett's inaction, saying he favors corporations over people.
"Seventy percent of corporations in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania pay zero in corporate income taxes," Skinner told the crowd.
And some seniors took to song to make their point.
"We're just a gaggle of grannies,
"Urging you off of your fannies,
"We're raising our voice,
"We want a new choice,
"No bus cuts."
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