(April 19, 2005)
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato outlined his six-point strategy for a regional public transportation plan at a press conference today. Onorato's approach seeks to promote regional planning and create a public/private funding partnership.

Onorato's six-point plan includes the following initiatives:

1. Regional Transportation Authority and/or Partnership
   Establishment of a regional transportation authority and/or partnership of existing public transit providers that would better coordinate the delivery of services and construction of regional transit infrastructure. Existing law permits multi-county cooperation. The Southwestern Planning Commission (SPC) will discuss the creation of a regional transportation authority and/or partnership at future meetings.
2. Downtown to Oakland Rapid Aerial Transit (Public/Private Partnership)
   Develop rapid transit service between Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. The new service would use an aerial alignment and run along the Second Avenue corridor to link downtown (First Ave. Station), the riverfront technology center and facilities in Oakland, as well as future links to the LTV Coke Works and Carrie Furnace sites.
3. Utilize Existing Rail Corridors (Public/Private Partnership)
   Utilize existing rail corridors for passenger service between Downtown Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley, western suburbs (Carnegie/Bridgeville), Route 8 and Greensburg.
4. Commercial Use of Busways (Private Funding/Revenue)
   Permit the use of Port Authority's busways, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. East, West and South busways, by private commercial carriers that are interested in paying a usage fee.
5. Economic Development Sites (Private Funding/Revenue)
   Economic development at Port Authority park and ride and T Station sites. The Allegheny County Economic Development Department, in conjunction with the Port Authority, would coordinate and manage future development opportunities at these sites. Please find a complete list of Port Authority park and ride and T Station locations attached.
6. Airport to Downtown Rapid Aerial Transit (Public/Private Partnership)
   Develop rapid transit service that links the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and Downtown Pittsburgh. Existing studies will be analyzed to aid in this endeavor.

"The Port Authority, like many other public transportation agencies across Pennsylvania, has reached a critical juncture in how it operates," Onorato added. "This six-point plan will enable us to build a strong transportation infrastructure that can improve mobility, stimulate economic development, create a public-private partnership and enhance the overall quality of life of our residents."