Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Another Reason to Adopt Allegheny Institute Recommendations
This morning we learn that the Port Authority is opposed to private bus companies offering service from local hotels to the casino on the North shore—assuming the thing ever gets built. What we are forced to realize once again is that the Port Authority is the de facto monopoly provider of transit services in Allegheny County and must grant a permit to any company wishing to carry folks on a bus within the County.
That is why there is no private service available to provide competition, which in turn is a major reason the Authority is one of the most expensive, least efficient providers of mass transit services in the nation. And all that is perfectly fine with the unions who have used the monopoly status of the Authority as well as their own monopoly power to extract outrageous compensation packages and work rules.
A year ago the Allegheny Institute recommended that the Legislature remove the Port Authority’s monopoly control over mass transit in Allegheny County. That move alone would open up competitive opportunities and have a dramatic effect on the union’s ability to hold the public hostage with their favored status. It would force Authority management to be much more creative and cost conscious. All good things.
Unfortunately, what we have also learned is that the Democrat controlled House and Governor’s office will never allow such an important policy change to happen. Thus, Pennsylvanians are forced to face a stark reality. Unions run the show politically to the public’s detriment and there is little indication that is about to change. Too bad. Maybe the ongoing loss of population in the County will eventually send a message that real reforms are needed but even that must be viewed as a slim hope.
That is why there is no private service available to provide competition, which in turn is a major reason the Authority is one of the most expensive, least efficient providers of mass transit services in the nation. And all that is perfectly fine with the unions who have used the monopoly status of the Authority as well as their own monopoly power to extract outrageous compensation packages and work rules.
A year ago the Allegheny Institute recommended that the Legislature remove the Port Authority’s monopoly control over mass transit in Allegheny County. That move alone would open up competitive opportunities and have a dramatic effect on the union’s ability to hold the public hostage with their favored status. It would force Authority management to be much more creative and cost conscious. All good things.
Unfortunately, what we have also learned is that the Democrat controlled House and Governor’s office will never allow such an important policy change to happen. Thus, Pennsylvanians are forced to face a stark reality. Unions run the show politically to the public’s detriment and there is little indication that is about to change. Too bad. Maybe the ongoing loss of population in the County will eventually send a message that real reforms are needed but even that must be viewed as a slim hope.
