title
Motion of the Council of Allegheny County urging the Port Authority of Allegheny County to reinstate service to Mifflin Estates in order to adequately address the service needs of the population of the West Mifflin Area.
body
Whereas, as part of the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s service reductions, bus service to Mifflin Estates was discontinued; and
Whereas, losing this service has negatively impacted the neighborhood - which is comparatively isolated in its location between the County Airport and the U.S. Steel Irvin Works plant - and most particularly has disadvantaged a large number of its residents who rely on public transit to get to their jobs (many of which require working on weekends), the grocery store, shopping, community events, places of worship, medical appointments, and more; and
Whereas, the service reduction has negatively impacted the lives of hundreds of residents of the 201 affordable housing units in Mifflin Estates, as well as individuals living nearby; and
Whereas, many of these transit-dependent riders are now forced to walk approximately a mile and a half along hilly, two lane roads which are not fully lighted and which, for long stretches, have no sidewalks; and
Whereas, residents who are not able to make the lengthy walk must rely on other individuals to give them rides, or must resort to jitneys or taxis, which are comparatively extremely expensive but, for these individuals, they are often the only alternative to remaining stuck in their homes; and
Whereas, many of these residents are senior citizens and single parents;
Whereas, even those residents who are eligible for Access must still pay for this service, and, depending upon the nature of their travel needs, may not be able to furnish the 24 hour advance notice necessary to arrange for Access service; and
Whereas, these residents have united to call for reinstatement of bus service, an action that would not entail the creation of a new bus route, but, rather, would only require the extension of existing service lines such as the 53 or Y47, and have canvassed the neighborhood, attended community meetings, spoken at Port Authority board meetings, met with elected officials, and submitted numerous requests to the Port Authority as the Authority considers numerous requests for service according to their service guidelines criteria;
Whereas, it is the judgment of Council that the hardships incurred by the termination of weekend service to Mifflin Estates are significant, have a deleterious effect on the health, safety and well-being of the residents of that area, and are disproportionately borne by disabled, elderly, and economically disadvantaged populations.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Hereby urges the Port Authority of Allegheny County to reinstate bus service to Mifflin Estates in order to adequately address the service needs of the population residing there.