February 2, 2015
Harrisburg – February 2, 2015 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) will serve another year as secretary of the board of the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
“There are many challenges that we face in public transportation and many hurdles that have to be overcome,” Brewster said. “I am confident that by working together we can rebuild and restructure our public transit system to meet the needs of the citizens of Allegheny County.”
Brewster is a veteran of the board and serves on the Financial Audit Committee. He is a member of the Senate Transportation Committee and was a strong advocate of the $2.3 billion transportation finance law (Act 89) that has bolstered funding for road, bridge and mass transit systems.
“The Port Authority board works well together in trying to address transportation needs,” Brewster said. “The board members are all dedicated and committed to making our transportation network better.”
Brewster said that board is working on a number of initiatives such as smart card technology and real-time vehicle tracking.
The Port Authority has 2,600 workers and serves more than 200,000 riders on a daily basis.
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January 31, 2014
Harrisburg – January 31, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster has been re-appointed secretary of the board of the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
“As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee and former mayor of an economically struggling city in the Mon Valley, I understand the importance of an efficient and effective public transportation system,” Brewster (D-McKeesport) said. “A well-run public transit system essential for the economic, social and environmental health of a region.”
Brewster formerly served as mayor of McKeesport. In the Senate, the Mon Valley lawmaker has been a strong proponent of the recently-passed transportation investment plan and continues to be an advocate of investing in public transit.
As a part of the new $2.3 billion transportation investment plan, public transit agencies will see a projected $476 million funding bump by the fifth year of the program.
“The new funding for public transportation is one of the most important aspects of the new transportation law,” Brewster said. “It is imperative that those of us who serve on the Port Authority board continue to examine ways to utilize the new funding so that transit users throughout the county receive maximum benefit.
“As a result of this new law, there will be stable funding for public transportation for the foreseeable future.”
Each day, the Port Authority of Allegheny County provides public transportation to an estimated 230,000 riders throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The Authority employs about 2,400 people.
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