PUBLIC TRANSIT SHINES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

For those of us who travel everywhere by personal vehicle, it is easy to miss the public transportation system humming along each day in Washington County.  The truth is that without mass transit serving our elderly and many others who lack the ability to drive, thousands of our County citizens would have no means of getting to work, shopping or keeping medical appointments. 

Recently I stopped by to chat with Shelia Gombita, Executive Director of the Washington County Transportation Authority, at the new offices on Chestnut St.  What the Authority has been able to accomplish is astonishing for our semi-rural area.

Local citizens in need of public transportation are on track to take over 100,000 trips in fiscal year 2019, an increase of 20% from 2018. The Authority services the City of Washington, Houston, Canonsburg, McDonald, Monongahela, Finleyville, McMurray and points in between.  Each weekday there are ten inbound trips to Pittsburgh and ten outbound trips to Washington.  Incredibly, the fare is only $5.00 each way. On Saturday, there are three outbound and inbound trips to and from the South Hills transit Station.

Funding is always the major issue in developing a meaningful public transportation system. For decades, the Pennsylvania Lottery has provided the means for anyone age 65 or older to ride fixed route public transportation at no cost and to utilize shared ride services at a reduced rate. Disabled citizens can ride at ½ the regular fare. 

This is critical because studies have shown that senior citizens make up 44% of all transit riders in rural Pennsylvania and over 17% of the rural population is disabled.  Moreover, 53% of all rural disabled citizens work each day, with public transportation the only means of access to their places of employment.

Other funding is a combination of local, state and federal dollars. A Pennsylvania plan enacted in Act 44 of 2007 was a major restructuring of funding for transit.  It dedicated 4.4% of the Sales and Use Tax and Turnpike payments ($450 million in 2019) to a new Public Transportation Trust fund. Recently, two groups have brought a lawsuit claiming that the Turnpike payments are illegal causing a potential funding crunch.  Currently the City of Washington contributes $98,000 and the County $130,000 toward public transportation.

Why should those of us with two cars in the driveway care about a vibrant public transportation system?  Transit reduces congestion and pollution, improves the quality of life in the community, brings employees and customers to local businesses and adds to the local municipal tax base.  Most importantly, making public transportation a priority is an example of what good government should provide for its older and less fortunate citizens.

Notwithstanding the funding challenges that are a constant concern for the Washington County Transportation Authority, there is room to improve the service and make it even more accessible.  First, the weekday service could be expanded past 7pm to accommodate late shoppers and employees with non-traditional work schedules.  Second, Sunday service could be implemented to permit attendance at religious services and to provide more opportunity for shopping and weekend employees.  Third, more on demand service, along the “Uber model” could be unveiled as an added convenience for public transportation patrons.

In order to ensure uninterrupted service and to expand the schedule, it is my opinion that local government needs to ante up a larger share of the financial burden.  Public transportation is good for Washington County. At a time when the County tax base is growing, with low unemployment and a vibrant Marcellus Shale industry, an increased commitment to public transportation makes good economic sense.

SECOND POT OF COFFEE THOUGHTS

I have noticed that baby boomers and millennials are now sporting the same Velcro headgear.  The boomer version is attached to c-pap machines.  The millennial’s are using the same straps to hold virtual reality displays in place.

Those who believe that issues will be important in the 2020 presidential election are wrong.  All that will matter for Republican voters is the persona of Donald Trump and for Democrats the desire to remove him from the White House.

 One would expect very low voter turnouts in Washington County for the May 21, primary.  The one fact that may garner some interest is contested Democratic races for County Treasurer and Register of Wills.  Otherwise, we must wait until November to see some election excitement.

I recently attended a performance of the Edgewood Volunteer Symphony in Pittsburgh, the oldest regional Symphony of its kind.  It was satisfying to learn that our own Washington Symphony Orchestra has ticket sales of more than double those of Edgewood for a typical performance.

It is difficult to determine what the long term effect of the President’s trade wars and tariffs will be on the American economy.  As prices on many consumer goods begin to rise, no one seems to know if sales will be impacted.  The greatest fear is that farmers will lose contracts to export crops to China. China will seek out new relationships with sellers in other countries, leaving the farmers out in the cold when the trade wars are resolved.

I am addicted to Starbucks ice coffee after finishing up at the gym at 4 pm.  My car cannot avoid heading up the hill from route 19 to get in the long line at the drive through lane.  I often see the same vehicles in front of me indicating that a late afternoon caffeine fix is all the rage.

Our group of Washington County patrons had dinner at the Squirrel Hill Eat & Park prior to the aforementioned Edgewood Symphony Concert at the Jewish Community Center.  The ethnic diversity of people both within the restaurant and on the street was a beautiful thing and reminded me of what I miss most about living in Pittsburgh.

What I do not miss about Pittsburgh is the traffic, difficulty parking and the potholes.  Those who complain about such matters in Washington County should realize how good they have it.

Now that Game of Thrones is on its final episodes and the NBA playoffs are winding down there should be plenty of time to attack my stack of books, before football season returns in September.