Flaherty Discusses PATs Audit

"The Allegheny County Port Authority must continue to control costs and strive for more effective service," says Allegheny County controller Mark Patrick Flaherty.

Not necessarily a ringing endorsement for the work the Port Authotity has been doing since it returned to its back-to-basics approach last year.

Flaherty's recent audit showed the following:

- Over the last five years, Port Authority's budget exceeded its revenue. - Current rider-to-bus ratios show that 46 percent fewer buses would be needed if the trend continues. -Pension contributions significantly increased between 2005 and 2006. -Forty-three percent of the Port Authority's health care costs go towards retirees.

Flaherty suggested that the Port Authority review its service delivery philosophy, route planning, equipment needs and opportunity to work with private transit firms.