Strike Update... What to Watch

Keep up with the latest strike posts here at Peak Direction by viewing all labor-related posts.

There's some great articles and websites popping up concerning the possibility of a Port Authority transit strike (or lockout) in Pittsburgh.

• As always, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has it covered. Some good stories recently: a Q&A on the strike and what could happen, a story about how riders will get to work (or not) during a strike, an explanation of the vote coming up on November 23 on whether to authorize a strike, an editorial endorsing the new contract that will be forced on the union December 1, and a great strike idea: turn the busways into bikeways!

• The Trib? Well, they have their story about the November 23rd vote. You can read the final proposals of the union and the Port Authority in their article about the forced contract. Other than that, did you know they think the North Shore Connector is a boondoggle?

• The Port Authority has some info for riders at pghtransitinfo.com. This includes some contingency plans, including carpool staging at some Park and Rides. There's also a great FAQ showing what happens to monthly passes during a strike along with other issues, and a rumor site to dispel myths about Port Authority... including those who complain about painting buses!
  
  
• And for the other side? The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 does have a website, but the newest post is about an article from 2006. The national ATU will probably have some news if a strike occurs. Two union members have a blog for spreading "real info about transit," but no updates since September. Hope to see some more sites from union members.
  

• The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Allegheny Conference run KeepPittsburghMoving.com, a site with information for employers and the public on how to survive the strike if it occurs. They even have a blog!

• The University of Pittsburgh has a wide-reaching strike plan that included expanded shuttle service to Shadyside and Squirrel Hill (current Pitt shuttles only serve North and South Oakland); express service to Edgewood, Homewood, Highland Park, and Wilkinsburg; and (for a fee) service to park and ride lots around the county. No word on whether CMU and Chatham students can ride these buses (they can ride normal shuttles run by Pitt)

• We've had a few musings about a strike here, but a post in March had my opinion on the strike situation and a flashback to the 1992 strike. Needless to say, that post is incredibly high in Google's rankings for some reason.

• A flashback to the 1976 strike at Pittsburgh's Future from March 2008. The post cites an interesting journal article about that 5-day strike from Carnegie Mellon's School of Urban and Public Affairs, now the Heinz College.
  

• I wouldn't say Pittsburgh transit has a "blogosphere" just yet, but there are a few great blogs that focus on transit either entirely or in part. The East Busway Blog started last summer, and they have some great articles about previous failures of Port Authority. Let's hope that list stays short. No Commuter Left Behind also started in the summer, and the author actually works on transit for the Allegheny Conference. Green is Good has bloomed nicely, and covers Pittsburgh transit well. And last but not least, the excellent Null Space blog is letting the market decide. Place your bets on a strike!
  

What happened?

I am very sorry to anyone that still reads this blog. Sadly I have left the Burgh for the Twin Cities, and the summer was just a whirlwind getting ready for the move. Hopefully soon I will post another item or two, especially comparing Metro Transit here in the Cities with good old PAT. I miss Pittsburgh already, and (unlike this blog) hopefully the buses will be running without interruption.

Again, thanks for your support. See you soon.

-Brent

Pittsburgh Transit Blog Roundup

Because some other blogs do it better... here's my occasional look at other what other Pittsburgh blogs have to say about transit.

• I'll definitely keep my eye of the marmot. It's first post is "Bus Stops," an excellent video documentary that looks at the funding crisis of last year. It's a really well-done video, and I look forward to future documentaries. For some insight on how massive the original cuts would have been. take a look at the proposed 25% cuts from last year and the 15% cut that went into affect last June.

• Nathan from ClickNathan uses his web-design skills to make a better interface to the Port Authority Trip Planner. (Compare to Port Authority's interface here.) It's actually optimized for the iPhone, but give it a try on your web browser or mobile device.
  

• In the Post-Gazette, two local restaurant owners argue against drink tax and provide some funding alternatives for the Port Authority.

• One handed pushups on T platforms. Bad plastic surgery brings riders together. Fried chicken for breakfast. These events and more at one scientist, one yeti, where Lil'schmeggie recalls the top 10 Port Authority moments experienced on buses and trolleys. Some real gems there.

Pittsburgh Transit Blog Roundup

It's that time again to see what Pittsburgh bloggers say about transit...

• Why have I not found Cities Matter before? Anyway, vatz comes up with 2 plans for rail transit in Pittsburgh: The ambitious City Line circling to Downtown, Strip, East Liberty, Oakland, and South Side; and the Realistic Downtown-Oakland Connection which involves Panther Hollow and is a very good idea. The City Line is very similar to the (defunct) Ultraviolet Loop night bus, and I think it should definitely return. Also of interest are stories on how to improve accessibility to schedules and why public transit matters. Keep up the good work vatz!

• Null Space wonders "Given that even the dedicated bikers of the Burgh have their own blog, you would think that the army of daily commuters would generate enough interest for a transit-focused blog here." Ahem. Just joking, of course. That post also mentions the new Greyhound station hopefully opening downtown. Chris also mourns the "flying fraction" 54/77 streetcar route, which was bustituted to be the 54C.

• New Transportation takes a look at the tunnel-boring machine slowly making its way to the North Side for the Dreaded North Shore Connector. Somewhere a Trib writer just said "boondoggle."
  

Pittsburgh Transit Blog Roundup

Time again to check out what my fellow bloggers have to say...

• Ok, so I do like this blog post from Click Nathan because I haven't gotten too many shout outs. But Nathan illustrates a great light rail transit plan that would revolutionize Pittsburgh. His plan makes a lot of sense, taking the best parts of the 54C, 61C, 64A, 71C, and 56U.
• Green is Good discusses "Who Killed the Streetcar?" and why they should return to Pittsburgh streets
• The pro-free market Allegheny Institute is happy that people are now parking in the gigantic South Hills Village Garage. Well, sorta.
  
• On a sad note: Pittsburgh Transit, which predated this blog, has stopped publishing. I wish Matthew all the best.
  

Pittsburgh Blogs Respond to Drink Tax

Some interesting blog posts about the new drink tax:

• Serendipity discusses why linking drink taxes to transit makes sense for future DUI offenders
• Alik Wedge of Metroblogging Pittsburgh says police officers should take the bus in light of the patrol car shortage. Okay, so that's a joke, but he has some points about the effect of transit on non-riders and why alcohol taxes are better than property ones
• And finally, a good case against the tax that actually has alternatives from Pittsburgh's Future
  

Pittsburgh Transit Blog Roundup

So what's the internet been saying about Pittsburgh Transit n'at?

- Interesting outsider perspective on Pittsburgh transit compared to Prague

- Dear PAT, you make me want to buy a car... a blogger responds to fare hikes

- Laurels and Lances discusses the problems of "free" University rides (followup)