With the lamentable transit cuts looming on the horizon, thousands upon thousands of people will be adversely affected. Over half the current routes are being proposed to go to the chopping block. Cutting certain routes will increase the distance many people have to travel to get to a bus stop – distances that could be covered easily by bicycle.

Bike racks on 100% of the remaining buses would 1) eliminate any guesswork on behalf of the rider as to which buses have racks 2) serve to combine modes of transportation to make bus access more convenient thus increasing ridership, and 3) help soften the blow of these service cuts by making the distance one has to cover to get to and from a bus stop quicker and easier, while providing a safe and secure way for folks to take their bikes with them for added convenience.

Please contact the Port Authority at (412) 566-5335 to leave a message requesting the remaining buses be fully equipped with racks. You will be prompted to leave your name and contact info so that your comments can be entered into the public record. You can also submit comments via their website.

Resources:
» Federal Transit Funding share for integrating bicycle access with public transit = 95 90%!*
» For a National Center for Transit Research white paper titled A Return on Investment Analysis of Bikes-on-Bus Programs
» For stats on bike boardings throughout the country visit bikesontransit.org/statistics.php

*95 percent was provided by the federal gov’t under the old transportation bill, TEA-21. The new bill, called SAFETEA-LU, provides 90 percent.

Please note: Bike Pittsburgh is in favor of generous, dedicated funding for public transit at the state level. We fully support a viable, robust, and efficient public transportation system that conveniently serves all neighborhoods and people.