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Yesterday, the Port Authority of Allegheny County approved a plan to raise fares and cut service in two phases, and eliminate jobs to make up a $30 million operating budget shortfall.

After the plan is implemented, the base fare will rise from $1.75 to $2.50 and service will be reduced 27 percent system-wide.

Under Phase I, the authority will increase the base fare from $1.75 to $2 on Feb. 1. On March 6, service will be reduced 12 percent system-wide —including the restructuring of 65 weekend and 90 weekday rail and bus routes — and 150 jobs will be cut.

If the authority does not obtain additional state funding, it will implement Phase II of the plan on July 1. The second phase calls for raising the base fare to $2.50, eliminating weekday service after 9 p.m. on 69 routes, as well as an additional 43 weekday routes and 32 weekend routes, and restructuring 41 weekday routes. The authority also would cut another 350 jobs.