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Motion Expressing the Sense of Council of Allegheny County Beseeching Governor Ed Rendell and members of the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives to work cooperatively and proactively to secure additional revenues for the operation of the Port Authority of Allegheny County in an effort to adequately address transportation issues within this region.
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WHEREAS, in 2002, the Port Authority ended its fiscal year with its first operating budget deficit in 19 years as a result of a continued freeze in operating assistance and a substantial reduction in PTAF funds; and
WHEREAS, in response to these financial difficulties, the Port Authority implemented administrative hiring and wage freezes; entered into a responsible labor contract consisting of wage and salary freezes, health care cost containment and significant maintenance work rule changes; laid off eighty-five (85) employees; eliminated thirty-three (33) administrative positions; and, took action for further administrative economies including reductions in travel, training and marketing expenses; and
WHEREAS, the Port Authority also implemented back to back fare increases in 2001 and 2003 and in 2002, reduced bus and rail service levels causing average weekday ridership to decrease from 265,000 to 250,000, adding further financial strains to their operations; and
WHEREAS, in order to address these reductions, Allegheny County Council in their 2003 Budget provided for an increase of $2,558,505 in operating and capital funds for the Port Authority in an effort to provide monies that would ensure that existing services are maintained at their current level; and
WHEREAS, within the 2003-2004 Budget, the allocation provided to the Port Authority of Allegheny County through the General Fund Mass Transportation Assistance Budget is at the lowest level since the 1994-1995 Fiscal Year and reduces the operating subsidy by another six (6) percent, to $63.7 million; and
WHEREAS...
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