Public transit benefits everyone in the region

In regard to recent transit funding letters with the general theme of "I'm not near a bus line, so why should I care?" I would like to reply in three succinct points:

 

First, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia provide a greater tax revenue to the state per capita than rural areas. It only makes sense that some of that excess revenue be re-invested back into more productive urban centers.

Second, public transit impacts everyone. Cutting transit would add thousands more cars to the road, driving up the cost of gas, increasing fuel burned while waiting in traffic and increasing the commuting costs for everyone.

Third and most important, many seem to view public transit as a social program. This couldn't be further from the truth. My wife and I are both 26-year-old working professionals with several educational degrees between us. Public transit is a convenient, affordable and safe way to commute to work and experience the city.

It's no surprise that public transportation is a top issue for young professionals in Pittsburgh. Not funding the Port Authority would be a perfect way to "drive" them out of the city. And you wouldn't even need a Port Authority bus to do it.

ANDREW FOURNARIDIS
Shadyside