Port Authority To Eliminate Little-Used Light Rail Stops

Thirteen stops on Port Authority’s light rail lines will be eliminated on June 25.

The stops selected for elimination were identified due to their low boarding counts and proximity to other stops. The longest distance any rider affected by the change would have to travel to reach another light rail stop is about 650 yards.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald last month called on Port Authority to make several changes to improve the efficiency of the system, including consolidation of light rail stops.

"I’m glad to see the authority work proactively to address this issue. I understand that these stops were selected because the ridership was low and because there are alternative stops relatively close," stated Fitzgerald. "While our bus lines have gone through numerous changes involving consolidations of routes and stops to improve efficiency and productivity, this is the first time that attention has been paid to the stops on the light rail system. These changes should result in transit trips that are not interrupted by unnecessary stops, which benefits both riders today and those who might consider using public transportation."

Overall, this move will affect less than one percent of Port Authority's total daily ridership—and roughly five percent of its rail ridership. However, service will be more practical for the roughly 30,000 light rail riders traveling between the North Shore, downtown and the South Hills each weekday.

"We've long heard complaints from many of our light rail riders that there are too many stops, which can be frustrating," stated Port Authority CEO Steve Bland. "We also know that when transit lines appear slow and inconvenient, people are less likely to try them. So this also has hindered our ability to serve more people."

There are more stops on the Red Line than other light rail systems. The Red Line has more than five stops per mile. In comparison, Philadelphia has 3.2 stops per mile, Cleveland 2.5, Boston 1.1 and Los Angeles 0.9. At two locations along the Red Line, the stop spacing is about 422 feet (the length of a two-car train is about 160 feet).

Signs will be posted by Monday, June 11 at the affected stops to alert riders to the upcoming change and direct them to the next nearest light rail boarding location. Light rail cars will no longer serve the discontinued stops starting on Monday, June 25. The stops to be eliminated along with the nearest alternate stop (in parentheses):

•             Traymore (Pennant)

•             Hampshire (Fallowfield or Coast)

•             Boustead (Shiras or Belasco)

•             Neeld (Shiras)

•             Kelton (Dormont or Potomac)

•             Martin Villa (Willow or St. Anne’s)

•             Smith Road (St. Anne’s or Washington Junction)

•             Santa Barbara (Highland)

•             Mine 3 (Washington Junction)

•             Lindermer (Hillcrest)

•             Center (Lytle)

•             Latimer (Monroe)

•             Sandy Creek (West Library)

The Authority's light rail system carried about 30,000 riders on an average weekday in April. Three routes provide service on the 26-mile light rail system. Trips in downtown and the North Shore are free due to funding agreements with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh Stadium Authority and ALCO Parking.

What do you think about the T stop eliminations? Tell us in the comments.