Proposed Plan Would Eliminate Moon Public Transit Service

Public transportation in Moon might soon be a thing of the past.

Moon Township bus routes are set to be eliminated as a part of the Allegheny County Port Authority's proposed 35 percent reduction in service.

The Airport Flyer bus will cut all service beyond the Robinson Towne Center on weekdays and weekends, ending outbound service to the Pittsburgh International Airport and possibly necessitating a name change for the route, according to the authority.

The Moon Flyer also would be eliminated. Other communities slated to lose Port Authority service include North Fayette, Edgeworth, Forest Hills and Verona.

Service changes are expected to take effect Sept. 2.

Each of the Port Authority's 102 bus routes will be scaled back, with more than half of them eliminated as a part of the service reduction, a result of statewide transportation cuts slated to begin in September. The authority estimates that 45,000 riders throughout its coverage area will be impacted.

Bus fare on a multiple routes, including the cost of purchasing a weekly, monthly or annual transit pass, will increase under the proposed plan. Riders faced increased fare costs earlier this year.

The Port Authority faces a $64 million projected deficit this fiscal year. State aid that comprises more than half of the authority's revenue has declined while fuel and retirement costs for the agency have risen.

The authority's board is scheduled to meet April 27 to finalize the reducation plan and fare increases. In November 2010, the board authorized a similar 35 percent reduction cut, but then-Gov. Ed Rendell authorized $45 million in emergency aid, reducing the cuts to 15 percent.

Check back with Patch for updates.