Port Authority plans to cut stops on Pittsburgh Carrick and Brighton routes

The Port Authority of Allegheny County plans to eliminate 72 stops on two bus routes servicing northern and southern Pittsburgh area neighborhoods, but wants public input before locking in the cuts.

Under the proposal, the 16-Brighton route running between Downtown to Emsworth would drop from 127 stops to 94. The 51-Carrick route would lose 39 of its current 180 stops. It runs from Downtown to South Hills neighborhoods.

The Port Authority will post notices at every stop in line for elimination and is looking for comment from riders before making a final decision, according to spokesman Adam Brandolph.

“We are seeking public feedback on this,” Brandolph said. “We’ve heard a lot of responses from our riders that buses stop too frequently, and we hope this improves the reliability on these routes initially and on future routes.”

The measure is part of an effort to remove redundant and unpopular stops and improve on-time performance of buses, according to Brandolph.

The Port Authority offers 98 routes with more than 7,000 stops. Buses run on time 67 percent of the time. The Port Authority considers a bus on time if it’s no more than one minute early and no more than five minutes late.

“It’s certainly a lot of room for improvement,” Brandolph said.

The agency will consider cutting more stops in the future and hopes to eventually eliminate stops from every route. Its next round of proposed cuts will be announced in December.

The authority in coming months also will work with local communities to improve remaining stops, including the addition of shelters and benches.

Riders can provide comment online or by calling the Port Authority’s office at (412) 442-2000