McKeesport − March 7, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) was recently reappointed to serve on the board of directors for the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
“Public transportation has always been a priority for me,” Brewster said. “Accessible public transportation is an important feature of a community’s quality of life and is an essential element in the development of business and industry.”
Brewster, who has been a member of the board since 2013, was reappointed by Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). Brewster serves as board secretary.
“Public transportation helps build a strong economy by making employment opportunities accessible,” he said. “An efficient public transportation system is good for workers and their companies. Public transportation connects workers to their jobs in urban, suburban, and rural areas.”
Brewster has long been an advocate for an enhanced public transportation system. He supported additional funding for mass transit systems that added routes and service in various communities.
In 2018, the Port Authority conducted a customer satisfaction survey that revealed that nearly 60 percent of customers use the service five or more days per week, and 90 percent at least three days a week.
“There are many challenges that we face in public transportation and hurdles to overcome,” Brewster said. “I am confident that by working together we can rebuild and restructure our public transit system to meet the needs of public transit consumers throughout the county.”
The Port Authority is the second-largest transportation system in the state, employing about 2,600 people and serving approximately 200,000 daily riders.
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