An open letter to a Pennsylvania state senator

My crusade against mass transit cuts continues. This is what I wrote and to whom I wrote it:

Senator John R. Pippy--

I am writing to you in regards to the proposed cuts in service outlined in the Allegheny County Port Authority press release referenced at this web address: http://www.ridegold.com/grow/pgPress.asp?#may21

As you are well aware the national economy is in a downturn and Pittsburgh has fallen on particularly difficult times in the past several years. While I understand the necessity of certain financial sacrifices in these times, it is my belief that the budget cuts being proposed in the state capitol in regards to Pittsburgh's mass transit system will do nothing more than completely cripple an infrastructure that is already badly injured. It is my intent with this letter to convince you and any of your colleagues with whom you have clout to strike down any proposed measures that would further cut funding to mass transit in Allegheny County, and if possible approve any measures that would increase the monies in the Port Authority's coffers.

Statistically, one-third of Pittsburgh's core population rides on either the bus lines, the trolley or the inclines on a regular to semi-regular basis. In the past year, the Allegheny County Port Authority has been forced to drastically cut back on services and still raise fares to make up the difference - actions that are, quite frankly, an outrage. The cuts that would be made under the currently proposed budget go far beyond that into the realm of insanity.

Effective urban design consists of several variables; the basics being proper proportional zoning for residences, commerce and a manufacturing sector, civil/public services and an infrastructure to connect it all together. Without the final item - the infrastructure - the rest fall apart. Pittsburgh is already a city in decline, drastic cuts to a mass transit system which so many denizens depend on would be akin to hammering the final nails into this municipality's coffin. People need to be able to travel throughout a city - especially one as sprawling as Pittsburgh - whenever and wherever they need to. Not everyone can afford to purchase a motor vehicle and mass transit is a benefit even to those who do own automobiles by relieving congestion on what might be otherwise impassable roadways.

I speak as a percentage of the populace that does not own a car nor can afford to buy one. I am a former student just out of college and an individual who recently relocated to Pittsburgh from upstate New York. I currently work the night shift downtown, which means that the proposed cuts to service would force me to quit my job. Such an eventuality is an economic tangible that I would not like to face, if at all possible. What choice would I have, however, if services were to be cut so capriciously?

To keep on the subject of the economic impact of mass transit cuts, I would like you to consider that there are at least hundreds of other young people in Pittsburgh like me. By that, I mean that we enjoy going out on the weekends. Pittsburgh's current mass transit service effectively places an unspoken curfew of midnight to 1:00AM (depending on where one lives) to anyone wishing to go out and return home not just on weekends, but any night of the week. The proposed cuts to mass transit would make it impossible for any type of evening recreation to be had, as most people do not tend to go out before 8:00PM. The loss of profits for restaurants, cinemas, bars, clubs, etc. would likely be staggering. The overall economic impact alone of a less than skeletal transit system is mind-boggling, to say nothing of the psychological impact the proposed cuts would have on the city of Pittsburgh.

As I stated previously, it is my intention with this letter to implore you and your colleagues to strike down any measures that would further serve to cut funding to Allegheny County's mass transit system. I understand that these are times of economic hardship for all of us. However, I am firm in my belief that any further reduction to the mass transit network in Pittsburgh would only serve to worsen the financial woes of the city and Allegheny County as a whole, rather than ameliorate the problem. Again, I urge you to vote down any proposal that further cuts funding for mass transit and to approve proposals that either maintain the current budget or - better yet - increase it. The latter, I believe, would prove quite beneficial in the long run.

Thank you for your time.

--
Seth Warren
Mt. Lebanon

Let's hope it actually helps somewhat. If you depend on mass transit in Pittsburgh like I do (or even somewhat less than I do), then I suggest that you find your district representative and write him or her a letter! To those in Mt. Lebanon: I've already found him for you.