NEWS RELEASE

2016 April 28

For Release – EMBARGOED UNTIL 9:30 a.m. EDT, Friday, 2016 April 29

For More Information --- Glenn A. Walsh -

Electronic Mail: < gaw@planetarium.cc >

Telephone: 412-561-7876

PAT Board Scheduled to Approve Hidden Fare Increase for Incline Riders

Pittsburgh, April 29 – Today, the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) is scheduled to approve a complete revamping of the PAT fare system, which will include a hidden fare increase for riders of both the Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines. The normal base fare of Incline rides, between Mt. Washington and Downtown Pittsburgh, is scheduled to rise by one dollar, from $2.50 to $3.50, due to the elimination of free “Continuation Transfers (CT).”

For decades, free “CT”s have been offered for Incline riders who transfer to or from the “T” Light Rail Transit trains or buses, for part of the trip to or from Downtown.

In a statement to be delivered before the Port Authority Board of Directors on Friday Morning, April 29, long-time public transit advocate Glenn A. Walsh notes, “For decades, the Port Authority has understood that the fare between Mt. Washington and Downtown should be the same, whether travelling by Incline or by bus.” He then asks, “Why, now, disadvantage and discourage Incline ridership?”

In the prepared statement, Mr. Walsh questions the legality of this Incline fare increase. He says, “Although there was a public hearing, this fare increase was hidden, among many changes, as a “CT Elimination.” AND there was no publicity, or even mention, that there would be an Incline fare increase. Indeed, all of the publicity said there would be no fare increase, and suburban riders would get a fare decrease! To this day, I am sure that most Mt. Washington residents have no idea that Incline fares will be increasing in January.”

He concludes the statement asking the PAT Board to amend the new Fare Policy to provide “for a free, electronic Continuation Transfer, on the ConnectCard, for all people who ride the Inclines between Mt. Washington and Downtown.”

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(SPECIAL NOTE: Mr. Walsh is expected to be the fourth speaker during the Public Comment segment, near the beginning of the PAT Board meeting on April 29, which begins at 9:30 a.m. EDT.)

Complete Text of Mr. Walsh's April 29 Statement Before the PAT Board EMBARGOED UNTIL 9:30 a.m. EDT, Friday, 2016 April 29

Mr. Walsh's Public Comments to the PAT Board, from March, Regarding the Proposed Revamping of the PAT Fare Structure, Including the Proposed Incline Fare Increase

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