Tunnels and Bus Cuts

Only a CRISIS actual or perceived produces real CHANGE: Many times in this blog over the last 4 years I've used this quote as to what is happening to transit in Allegheny County. The power brokers behind the curtain at the Port Authority the real Wizards in this real life drama have embarked down a path of CHANGE. As the quote suggests a CRISIS must be implemented to produce CHANGE. However what the Great Oz's in this story haven't told to the public are the reasons for this CRISIS. No, to do so would show their own FAILINGS and ulterior motives in this screenplay. So to hide behind the curtain of massive mistakes and downright lies of what the true cost of this Subway tunnel really is, our Power Elite and Representatives of the 1% have invented a bogus Boogeyman. This scenario has been played out worldwide, a vision of blaming the guy who wakes up and goes to work for a living and negotiates a fair wage with retirement at the end of his Families Rainbow. However the funny thing about this lie is that too many of our own kind, the 99% if you will, are only too ready to believe the False and misleading statistics they're bombarded with daily. We're only too willing to believe that what ever is put in front of us as news is factual. On this front the 1% know they can win ,and of course why shouldn't they, after all the Media is owned by them, be it the Broadcast or print version. One of my favorite movie lines is from the "Gangs of New York" towards the end of the Movie one of the Elite states that he has no fear of the Poor because as he states quite eloquently "you can always count on buying one half of the poor to kill the other half" I'm not sure I've ever heard a truer statement.

So with that thought in mind I've compiled a few Links, some from Newspapers, some from another source. I have no idea if these links will stay on line, my guess is that as soon as someone representing the Wizards behind our curtain in Allegheny County find this resource engine they'll be taken down promptly. But the Hard copies of these stories do exist if they are taken down. Either way on this day in 2011 two days before Christmas We give you a compilation of Steve Bland's and Dan Onorato's day's leading up to the completion of Pittsburgh's chapter of the BIG DIG, and how lies and miscalculations and Greed have lead to more BUS CUTS and even more to come. All in the name of Progress, but not for the 99%!

(Read this quote from Jim Roddey in 2006, about future Bus Service)

In a related matter, Mr. Roddey announced he would say "something that's not going to be very popular," asking the Port Authority board to reconsider the $435 million North Shore Connector that's just getting under way.
"Now is not the time to be doing that," he said of the 1.2-mile light-rail extension, warning neither the county nor state will pay for any cost overruns and that undertaking the project "could doom any chance we have for additional funding" for bus-trolley operations.Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06321/739092-147.stm#ixzz1hNaahcSm

(This story was written by Jim Ritchie in 2006. Today MR. Ritchie is the spokesman for the Agency. In 2006 Critics were wondering where the agency would get the 2.5 million to operate the extension. Today we know, they'll make the Blind Guy and Postal worker in the East end and elsewhere wait longer because of their endless Bus Cuts)

Critics doubt the connector will attract 10,000 daily riders expected in 2012, its first year of operation, and are concerned about paying the $2.5 million projected annual operating costRead more: New rail route no sure thing - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_462004.html#ixzz1hNcXcq4F

( Authority officials are being tight lipped about Funding Assurances )

( 393 million cost June 2006)

Authority officials are being tight-lipped about funding assurances for the project that would extend the line 1.2 miles north of Gateway Center and provide three stations. Latest cost estimates also are being kept secret.
The authority's new chief executive officer, Steve Bland, who started Monday, said, "There has been a fair amount of movement" in securing a full-funding agreement under which the Federal Transit Administration would pay 80 percent of the costs.Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06168/699019-147.stm#ixzz1hNezfGPR

(Budget woes begin Under Bland's Stewardship)

Port Authority of Allegheny County’s board of directors unanimously approved a $347.5 million budget today for the 2006-07 fiscal year that includes a $31.5 million hole.
Authority members anticipate state lawmakers will approve financial help to offset the deficit before January when the agency projects hitting "cash flow challenges."
The budget takes effect July 1 and ends June 30, 2007. Lawmakers are waiting for recommendations long-term solutions to chronic transit shortages from a state Transportation Funding and Reform Commission created by Gov. Ed Rendell. Those recommendations are due by Nov. 15.
More headlines
Subscribe to the Tribune-Review todayRead more: Port Authority approves budget - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_459343.html#ixzz1hNhOSJGR

(How could this be so a surplus in 2008?)

( Somebody screwed up, that'll )

(never happen again)

Port Authority entered its fiscal year last June facing an $80 million deficit, but now projects that it will end the year with a surplus.
Cost-saving moves combined with a January fare increase have created an estimated $10 million surplus -- assuming Allegheny County pays its $27 million transit subsidy by July 1Read more: Transit authority anticipates $10 million surplus - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_563753.html#ixzz1hNi4KZEI

( Dan fixes that surplus problem )

POSTED: 6:29 am EDT October 8, 2008 UPDATED: 5:04 pm EDT October 8, 2008
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PITTSBURGH -- The Port Authority of Allegheny County is facing a financial crisis, and the mass transit agency could be just weeks away from going broke, according to a report by WTAE Channel 4's news exchange partner, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
County Executive Dan Onorato told the Trib that if things don't change, the Port Authority will be forced to shut down by Dec. 1.
More than 100,000 commuters who use bus and light-rail trolley service would be affected.
In January, two new taxes on poured alcoholic drinks and rental cars went into effect. Money generated by the taxes is earmarked for the county's annual subsidy of the Port Authority.
Onorato is withholding the $27 million subsidy -- which also triggers the release of a $183 million state subsidy -- to force a new round of contract negotiations between Port Authority management and union representatives.Read more: http://www.wtae.com/automotive/17654293/detail.html#ixzz1hNkhOS4B

( March 9 2008 they're all backslapping TUNNEL cost only 435 Million )

On June 28, 2006, I wrote this opening paragraph of a featured article: "The estimated cost to bore twin tunnels under the Allegheny River, extend the light-rail transit system to the North Shore and build three stations is now $435 million -- a 10 percent increase in little more than a yearRead more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08069/863673-147.stm#ixzz1hNmg2XyN

( Dec.2011 To boost ridership, free rides are bought by the Stadium Authority)

Meanwhile cost has increased to 523.4 million but not one media outlet cries foul

The $523.4 million North Shore Connector project extends the Light Rail Transit system by 1.2 miles from a new station in Gateway Center to new stations at PNC Park and Heinz Field. Test trains are expected to start operating this month and passenger service is scheduled to debut in late March.Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11354/1198190-100.stm#ixzz1hNnoSD5I

How did Port Authority get into this deep, expensive hole of river tunnel?
Underground rail extension to North Shore overrode servicing Oakland or convention centerRead more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09074/955761-52.stm#ixzz1hNpxRQt3

REST ASSURED EVERYONE, COMING SOON IN 2012, MORE CUTS

LESS SERVICE, FARE HIKES, AND THE MEDIA AND POLITICIANS

WILL BLAME IT ALL ON THE GUY WHO SWEATS TO MAKE A

LIVING. WHILE THOSE WHO MADE THE DECISIONS MAKE UPWARDS

OF A MILLION DOLLARS AND TAKE ALL THE CREDIT

BUT NO BLAME

County executive Dan Onorato is taking an executive VP job with insurance giant Highmark — right in the middle of its World War with UPMC — despite that flurry of “no comments” a month ago.
He succeeds David O’Brien, who made $1 million in salary and other compensation from the insurer in 2010, and $1.39 million in 2009

The news hasn't been dealt out to the riding public as I write this but guess what's right around the corner Bus riders? That's right more of the annual service cuts. However if you live along the "T" somehow you're service is increasing this coming March of 2012. I know some who may read this think that our views are tainted and cynical and downright wrong. Let me be clear on what this blog is about and has always been about. This is about a timeline on how the Citizens of this County have been misled from day one by Authority management and County Executive now Highmark One Million a Year lackey Dan Onorato.

From day one of Dan's administration his goal has been to create a transit crisis.http://www.alleghenycounty.us/news/2006/260315.asp (read the caption) Unending service cuts since 2005 (Dan came into office in January 2004) The public needs to realize that it's not overpaid employees,legacy costs,fuel,etc. Enjoy your free ride everyone over to the Casino's,Bars,Ballparks,Stadiums,Entertainment venues, we've paid for it and we'll continue to pay for it. Sorry but's it's way more than a coincidence that since that mile long tunnel was built that buses have been in constant downsizing. Management at our beloved Authority has failed to operate a damn thing under cost estimates, with one huge glaring exception . That's right the TUNNEL is the exception,on time,on budget. Answer me this naysayers. How could such a seemingly inept Goverment Agency that succeeds in nothing since Steve Bland was appointed, and on his 1st week on the job (June 2006) gave the go ahead of a tunnel to the 1% who play in the palaces that taxpayers are financing be such an exception to this? Guess what, it's NOT!

As the Law stands now no transit agency serving a area of over 200,000 can use Federal capital funds to run the day to day operations of a transit operation,unfortunately the reverse is not true. Thats right the revenue that is used to run the day to day operations so that it may function to provide the services it's there for, can and ARE used to finance Capital Projects like the Tunnel. So you see while others play over at the Palaces built by TAXPAYERS the Janitor or Nurses Aide waits an extra 60 minutes to get to or from their destination with Blands enless Bus service reductions to finance this gift to the 1%. How is this so you ask? The almost total destruction of Bus service in this County follows a direct path of the Subway extension, a simple matter of robbing Peter to pay Paul or in this case Paying the Rivers Casino,PNC Park,Stage AE,Heinz Field and robbing the Postal worker or the blind guy living in the East End. Absolutely amazing how this one thing is so efficient and the Media reports no cost overuns but the rest of Blands operations are going Bankrupt. Oh yeah he does have a Boogeyman on why this is so, the bus driver. Our local media continue to voice these lies and in time these things will be fixed by more contract concessions and Gasp, service reductions to finance the next thing on the 1% horizon. Yes, soon to come to UPMC and the area between Downtown and Oakland. Bus Rapid Transit, to be financed by more concessions,more service cuts,more crisises. And transit workers standard of living will continue to decline along with the other 99%. And when it's all fixed and everything is back as it was, i'll guarantee Dan 1 million a year Onorato and his amoral appointee Steve Bland will be residing elsewhere in comfort as the rest of us wonder how we'll afford the next bill,or the next threat of a Job loss. Follow the money is the simplest rule to follow when you want to find the truth. I have no idea on where this money trail leads, but I do know it's not anybody working for an hourly wage who's able to cause such endless heartache and grief . Click on some of Blands gifts to the transit riders below

( 2007 Service reductions Blands scorecard introduced )

http://www.alleghenycounty.us/news/2007/270103.asp

( Transit Development Plan announced )

http://www.nelsonnygaard.com/Documents/Quals-Project-Profiles/NNproj-Pittsburgh-TDP.pdf

( Local 85 annouces a 18.5 million concession to save service. Bland said no)

http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/pittsburgh/allegheny-county-port-authority-faces-even-harder-times-choices-in-the-future/Content?oid=1385378

( Steve Bland's Profile, How could such a brilliant man destroy this system? Unless of course that's the idea to begin with)

http://www.spoke.com/info/p9elAJV/StephenBland

( Steve announces that he needs 15 million a year in concessions (9-2011) even though as you can see above he rejected 18 million a year to stave off reductions in March of the same year )

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_758368.html

(Dan Million Dollar Onoratto clarifies his intentions March 2006 3 months before Bland is hired)

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06075/671120-147.stm

( 3 years and 1.3 million before Nelson-Nygaard supposedly invented it in 2009 with the Transit Development Plan or Connect "09" the transportation action team suggests in 2006 a Oakland circulator system connecting Bloomfield ,South Side,Lawrenceville and a rapid transit system between Oakland and Town . I believe the Transportation action team was voluntary but to validate their service reductions that mostly failed with Steve Blands famous "Scorecard" of 2007 they hired Nelson-Nygaard to sell swampland to the Transit rider of Allegheny County with "Connect 09")

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/03/03/focus1.html?page=all

( And this action annnouncing the Transportation Action team members almost a year after the idea was broached is where it all started to begin a transit overhaul to implement the crisis that was necessary for all the changes that have come and will come to Port Authority stakeholders)

http://www.alleghenycounty.us/news/2006/260315.asp