Marzo 7, 2019
McKeesport − Marzo 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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Julio 29, 2015
McKeesport – Julio 29, 2015 – On the heels of the announcement that Port Authority Transit bus routes are being added for Baldwin Borough, state Sen. Jim Brewster today announced that he will hold special satellite office hours at the Baldwin Borough Building to help senior citizens obtain bus passes.
“We worked hard to restore bus service to Baldwin, and this is a significant victory for the community,” Brewster said. “It will provide residents greater access and transportation options throughout our region.”
“My staff and I are eager to help seniors get their bus passes so they are ready to utilize the expanded bus service.”
A member of the Port Authority Board of Directors, Brewster advocated for the route extension. The senator credited local leaders, residents, the Port Authority and bus drivers for getting the “44 Knoxville” route extended into the borough, beginning Septiembre 8.
The bus route will operate every half hour from 5:30 a.m. till midnight. Brewster said the route will start at Churchview Garden apartments and run down Churchview Ave, to Spencer, Custer, and Agnew, across Becks Run road to St Clair, through Knoxville and Beltzhoover and into town via Warrington Ave and the transit tunnel.
To help seniors get their bus passes, Brewster and staff will be at the Baldwin Borough Building on Viernes, Agosto 14 from 9 a.m. to noon; and on Viernes, Agosto 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary, but seniors will need to bring ID with them.
The senator added that residents who cannot make it on one of those dates can call or stop by his permanent offices or go to his website at www.senatorbrewster.com. The contact information, phone numbers and email for the offices are available on his website.
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Contact: Tim Joyce
Phone: 412 380-2242
Email: tjoyce@pasenate.com
Febrero 2, 2015
Harrisburg – Febrero 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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Marzo 6, 2014
McKeesport – Marzo 6, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) said today that new revenue generated by the recently adopted transportation funding law has resulted in Port Authority (PAT) service changes, and additional improvements will be phased-in later this year.
“I fought for passage of the transportation funding plan because it will result in much-needed road and bridge repair and it will make significant investments in mass transit,” Brewster said. “There is no doubt about the benefits of the new funding plan for motorists and mass transit users.”
“As a member of the PAT board, I believe it is essential that we make changes and upgrades to the transit system as quickly as possible.”
On Miércoles, PAT announced a service improvement plan that includes frequency changes and increased stops in order to alleviate overcrowding.
“One of the most important things that PAT officials can do in the immediate future is rebuild the transit system and the rider network by responding to consumer demand,” Brewster said. “The changes announced yesterday are just the start and more upgrades are on the way.”
Brewster serves as secretary of the PAT board and is a member of the Senate Transportation Committee. The McKeesport lawmaker was a strong advocate of ensuring that mass transit monies were a significant part of the funding legislation.
Act 89 will generate an additional $2.4 billion annually within five years to build and maintain roads, bridges, highways and mass transit systems. By the fifth year, a total of $1.7 billion will be earmarked annually for highway and bridge projects; nearly $500 million more would be targeted for mass transit.
Information on changes can be viewed on PAT’s website: www.portauthority.org
Contact: Tim Joyce
Phone: 412 380-2242
E-mail: tjoyce@pasenate.com
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