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Yesterday, the Port Authority of Allegheny County announced it will move forward with plans to increase fares and cut service.

The authority will eliminate Saturday, Sunday and holiday service, weekday service after 9 p.m., and 70 rail and bus routes — or approximately one-third of all routes. The port authority also will increase the base fare from $1.75 to $2.50 and cut about 500 jobs to address a $30 million fiscal-year 2005 operating budget deficit, largely due to decreased state funding.

"The General Assembly adjourned early Sunday morning without addressing public transportation funding that the port authority and other transit agencies across the commonwealth have long pursued," said Port Authority Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas in a prepared statement. "While there were several specific proposals advanced to increase funding for public transportation, none was acted upon by the legislature."

Other Pennsylvania transit agencies are dealing with budget financial problems, as well. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is facing a $62 million deficit and has proposed raising its base fare to $2.50, reducing service 20 percent and cutting 1,400 jobs.