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18 Park-N-Ride Lots To Close Under Port Authority Budget

MOON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- If the Port Authority's proposed cutbacks go through, 18 Park-N-Rides will close.

That means almost 3,000 spaces – more than a fifth of the system's 13,000 spaces – will be gone.

"That's gonna hurt a lot of commuters from especially the suburban areas in the county," Jim Ritchie, a spokesman for the Port Authority, said.

It will affect traffic as well because every car parked in the Park-N-Ride is one fewer car on the road.

At the Park-N-Ride on University Boulevard in Moon Township there are 600 spaces – the largest of the 18 the Port Authority is talking about closing. Every day it's about three-quarters full.

In addition to University Boulevard, Alpine Village in Monroeville, Holiday Park Fire Department in Plum, Ambridge, and North Fayette VFD are among those on the list to close come September if the Port Authority fails to get funding assistance.

"Right now we're facing a $64 million deficit for the coming fiscal year," Ritchie said.

He says now is when people need to speak up.

"To let the people who fund Port Authority know that this is an important matter," he added.

The governor is expected to propose some solutions in his budget address next week, but ultimately it will be up to the legislature to step in.

Monday night, volunteers from several community organizations passed out fliers to Port Authority riders, urging them to call and email the governor, asking him to fully fund the Port Authority.

"What I can do about it – I don't know, but I know it affects me because to get to work I have to take a bus," Nicole Conte said. "If I can't get to work, I can't live in a livable city."

A public hearing is scheduled for February 29. Fare hikes are set to take place in July.

RELATED LINKS
PDF List Of Park-N-Ride Closures
Port Authority of Allegheny County
More Reports By John Shumway

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