The League of Young Voters Calls for a Better, not Cheaper Transit System
The League of Young Voters calls for Better not Cheaper Transit System
Pittsburgh, PA—This morning, at a pro-transit rally in Mellon Square, the League of Young Voters called for a the creation of a coalition of government, private business, public institutions and community groups to create a better solution to the transit crisis.
Khari Mosely, Director of the Pennsylvania League, said the both neither a state bailout nor a drastic reduction in services was the answer. “We need to gather all the stakeholders together and find new solutions to the transit crisis. We need to be thinking better, not cheaper”
Mosely suggested that not only county government and Port Authority, but representatives for downtown business leaders, community groups, the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Public Schools—both of whom provide students with bus passes at reduced or no cost, City government—including both the Mayor and City Council, and Transit Workers should come together as a working group to find real solution.
“We all know there is a crisis, but a crisis isn’t a loss. We haven’t even begun to explore solutions. This city has always been tough and always been able to find creative ways to come through adversity. We have to be ready again to make the tough choices so that we can find a plan that is right for everyone.”
Whereas many advocates of transit have taken an adversarial position against either Port Authority or the County Executive, Mosely urged cooperation. “Dan Onorato isn’t the enemy. Port Authority isn’t the enemy….Our enemies are political expediency and quick fixes.”
The League of Young Voters wants more study of the problem, including ways in which the system could be more efficient all the way around. “We want a better system, not a cheaper one,” said Nish Suvarnakar, Field Director of the League. He suggested that if a coalition, such as the one Mosely described, could come up with a plan to balance long term fiscal health with the civic necessity of strong public transit, it would go a long way to demonstrating to the rest of the state that Allegheny County and the Port Authority are not looking for a hand out.