Port Authority riders frustrated with wait times lasting hours

PITTSBURGH — “I am the opening server at my job, and I must be on time,” said Alan Daniel.

Daniel, a server at a downtown hotel, must be to work at 6 a.m., but for the past three months it’s been hard to make it on time.

“There were a couple of times on the weekends where I was two hours late,” said Daniel.

And he said his commute home is even worse.

“Yesterday [took] three hours to get home,” said Daniel.

He is blaming his missed hours and long evening on the Port Authority’s Red Line shuttle delays caused by the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge construction.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County announced in February that the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge, used by buses and light rail cars, would remain closed for 10 to 12 more weeks due to a multi-million-dollar emergency repair.

Daniel said while he empathizes with the drivers and Port Authority, he doesn’t feel that the passengers should be the ones taking on the hardship caused by construction.

“We didn’t ask for the bridge to shift,” said Daniel.

The delays are exacerbated in part by this Port Authority policy, shared by the company’s spokesperson.

“The shuttle is not part of regularly scheduled service, [so] it must be filled with overtime work. We are unable to staff the shuttle when employees are unable to volunteer,” stated Adam Brandolph, a spokesperson for the company.

With staffing numbers low Port Authority said they can only work to mitigate delays and continue to recruit new drivers.

“We just started another class yesterday of I believe, 16 operators, and we continue to hire,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine

Kelleman.

The company also thanked riders for their patience as the emergency repairs to the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge are expected to be complete by the end of May.

But as for Daniel, a “thank you” may not be enough.

“I don’t want to be late and rushing around. It’s not good for my guests. It’s not good on me, and it’s not good on my wallet,” said Daniel.

Portion of route 30 in Beaver County to close for construction through summer

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