Two Republican state lawmakers from Allegheny County this morning introduced legislation intended to end the Port Authority's monopoly on transit services and encourage competition.
The state's Second Class County Port Authority Act of 1956 gives the transit agency exclusive right to provide service within the county.
Reps. Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, and Mark Mustio, R-Moon, say the bill would create an open market for transit providers in the county.
"The Port Authority's spending is out of control," said Turzai. "The state cannot bail out the Port Authority every year. It is entirely unnecessary and unfair to continue raising the taxes of Allegheny County residents and visitors to fund Pittsburgh's public transit. We need to bring competition into the market place and force the Port Authority to reprioritize their spending and operate more efficiently."
The lawmakers cited a June study by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy, a Castle Shannon research group, that ranked the agency as having the highest operating expenses per passenger trip among 20 cities.
With only six session days remaining this year, the chances of the General Assembly considering such a controversial measure in a Democrat-controlled House are slim. The lawmakers are establishing an issue that could be considered in the 2008-2009 session that begins in January.
The matter could be considered in the fall if a broader transportation package -- addressing issues such as privatizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike and tolling Interstate 80 -- is considered by lawmakers.
"With ever-increasing energy costs, and problematic contracts, it is time for Allegheny County commuters to have options," Mustio said. "There are many unhappy riders, and our goal is to get people to work, schools and stores."
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