Group keeps pushing for free transit for low-income Pittsburghers

As the coronavirus pandemic rages and many people continue to struggle economically, Pittsburghers for Pubic Transit has renewed its call for Port Authority to establish an emergency program to provide free or reduced fares for people who receive food assistance.

The authority said it’s sympathetic, but unless it can find a funding partner to cover the $4 million to $8 million annual cost, it can’t afford the program. It says it has its own financial problems due to low ridership.

Laura Wiens, PPT’s executive director, told the authority board Friday transit is as important as housing and food for people who are struggling. The group called at least three times last year for a pilot program that would allow people on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to show their benefit card for free rides, but the agency has taken no action.

In an interview after the meeting, Ms. Wiens contended those who need the free rides currently are staying home or walking, so the authority wouldn’t be losing fare revenue from them. She suggested the agency use federal stimulus money to start a pilot program.

“These are people who are sitting there at home watching buses go by,” she said. “It’s a fairly small amount of money, but it’s really important to people who need transportation.”

The authority board never responds to public comments at its meetings, but spokesman Adam Brandolph said later the agency isn’t allowed to use the federal money for new

programs. It is eligible for $141.75 million in funds from the first stimulus package last spring and more from an additional allotment in December, but the money is to reimburse transit agencies for lost farebox revenue or increased costs for cleaning vehicles and facilities due to the pandemic.

“We can’t just create a new program, and PPT knows that,” Mr. Brandolph said. “In general, we’ve been looking to identify a funding partner who would cover the program in full or in part.”

Since the pandemic began in March, ridership has dropped dramatically, initially 80% below the previous year’s level and remaining more than 60% below now. CEO Katharine Eagan Kelleman told the board fare revenue declined about $56 million last year, calling it “a devastating year for public transit.”

“We suffered major losses, but we made it through,” she said.

Mr. Brandolph said a consultant has been reviewing a program for low-income riders as part of the agency’s look at its fare policy. That review was supposed to be done months ago, but it has been delayed by the pandemic.

“We understand people are hurting and times are tough,” Mr. Brandolph said. “The fact is times are tough for us as well.”