2 Port Authority drivers, ages 34 and 57, dead from covid

Two Port Authority of Allegheny County employees have died from covid-19, officials said Monday.

One man was 57, and the other was 34. Both worked as bus drivers.

“Today, our hearts are broken,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.

The 57-year-old driver tested positive for the virus on Friday and died two days later, spokesman Adam Brandolph said. He worked out of the East Liberty garage, and he was last at work Nov. 25.

He’d worked for the Port Authority for 21 years.

The other driver, 34, had worked for the authority for seven years, most recently in the Collier bus garage, Brandolph said. His family told officials he tested positive for the virus Nov. 25, a day after he was last at work.

He died Monday, Brandolph said.

Kelleman said the entire organization mourns the loss of the men.

“On behalf of Port Authority’s board and the entire agency, we extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones,” she said. “Their commitment to serve customers was truly emblematic of all of our frontline employees.”

Since the pandemic began in March, 186 Port Authority employees have tested positive for the virus, and 127 of those came just in November, Brandolph said. Of all who have tested positive, 92 have been cleared to return to work and 92 remain at home recovering.

Grief counselors are being made available to Port Authority employees.