An unprecedented 35 percent transit service reduction scheduled to commence on September 2 has united Pittsburgh lawmakers, business owners, and medical professionals in opposition, reports Jon Schmit.
The Port Authority's proposed service cuts, "the biggest in the transit agency's 48-year history," have galvanized a diverse set of groups seeking the intervention of Pennsylvania's Governor, Tom Corbett. At a hearing held last week, "Representatives of government, business and the medical sector were nearly unanimous in their view that the reduction...would damage the region's economy, cause jobs to be lost and affect riders and nonriders alike," reports Schmit.
"Bill Griffin, a vice president of DialAmerica, said the company has shelved plans to add up to 150 jobs at its Green Tree facility because of the likelihood of transit cuts. 'We face the very real scenario of losing nearly half of our workforce due to lack of transportation. In simple terms, as many as 145 jobs would be lost and 150 potential jobs would not be created,' he said."
"Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said the service reductions also would impact the 100,000 people who attend college in Allegheny County, spend money here and generate jobs. 'That's one more component of our economy that would be stifled.'"
FULL STORY: Officials speak out against transit cutbacks
Port Authority Study Calls For More Equitable TOD in Pittsburgh
A study by the Port Authority of Allegheny County warns against displacement of low-income residents and calls for an increased focus on equity in developments around transit stations.
Last Stop: the Shredding of America's Transit Networks
Amidst the paradoxical increase in ridership demand, Yonah Freemark explores the plague of transit cuts reinforcing regional inequalities across the country.
Pittsburgh Excels at Low-Cost, Quick-Build Traffic Calming
The city’s traffic calming initiative has led to a 6 percent average reduction in speeds on corridors with recent interventions.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?
TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.
Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events
Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”
Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan
The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)