Pennsylvania Funding issues

from LehighValleyNews.com | By Tom Shortell

"It remains to be seen whether smaller authorities such as LANTA, Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority and Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority will receive packages similar to what SEPTA and PRT have secured. https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/transportation-news/with-no-transit-deal-looming-lanta-eyes-capital-funds-to-avoid-cuts  

Pittsburgh Regional Transit turns to Pa. fund to avoid service cuts during budget impasse
From Pennsylvania Capital Star/WESA
"The move makes it possible for the transit system to avoid a 35 percent service cut and a fare hike of 9%."   https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pittsburgh-regional-transit-turns-to-pa-fund-to-avoid-service-cuts-during-budget-impasse/ 

Cuts, fare hikes, canceled expansions: How failed Pa. transit funding talks could affect small systems by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA  https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/09/transit-systems-small-financial-struggle-pennsylvania-budget-capitol/ 

Active Transportation Week will take place May 12-18 in Chautauqua Co.

from WRFA Radio

'The Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development, in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Health Department and CHQ Transit are encouraging local residents to use the county’s public transportation system – CHQ Transit – or an alternative mode of transportation other than their personal motor vehicle that week.

'A “Bingo Card” has been created to inspire creative ways to get moving throughout the week.  Each day will also highlight a different “theme” with Friday, May 16, focusing on riding a bike to work or school. Bingo Cards, themes and event details will be added on the Chautauqua County Events page.,


Read more:
https://www.wrfalp.com/active-transportation-week-set-for-may-12-18/

Greyhound policy on warrantless bus searches

Greyhound Policy on warrantless bus searches

From Greyhound Lines
"Greyhound Lines, Inc. does not consent to, or provide permission for, warrantless and/or suspicionless immigration enforcement activities on its buses or in its non-public property at bus stations....
"Immigration searches by CBP agents have occurred on Greyhound buses in the past and may interfere with travel schedules and passenger experiences at Greyhound's bus terminals or on buses in the State of Washington."
Read complete policy here:
https://www.greyhound.com/warrantless-bus-searches


How the ACLU organized to stop racial profiling on Greyhound buses
from American Civil Liberties Unio (ACLU)
"You can't tell someone's immigration status by how they look or sound — that's called racial profiling, and it is unconstitutional."
Read complete article here:
https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/how-the-aclu-organized-to-end-racial-profiling-on-greyhound-buses

STORM

 Public comments: Thoughts and  suggestions on handling mega storms in future from Erie City Council meeting 12-18-2024:  Freda 11:05, Devin  1:20:24, Matt 1:23:37, Marty 1;36:01, Paige 1:40:22, Katie (1:47:24). Also, former Erie city councilman Michael Keys made recommendations immediately after Buffalo's 2022 storm.

EMTA feedback survey

 EMTA SEEKS FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY WITH SURVEY

Erie, PA- The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority is seeking feedback from the community to continue improving its services with a digital survey.

The results of the current survey will allow EMTA to measure the impact their efforts for improvement have had on the community. This feedback will help guide the EMTA team in the direction they need to take moving forward.

The EMTA administered surveys in 2023 and 2024 to establish a baseline in several areas, such as the public’s satisfaction with the quality of the buses, safety, usability, marketing, and general rider information.

“Public transit has an impact on everyone in the community, weather you see it or not,” says Sarah Morrison, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the EMTA. “We want to determine the influence EMTA has on the community at large, so it is important for as much participation in the survey as possible. We encourage everyone take the survey, even if you are not an EMTA rider.”

EMTA asks all community members to complete the short, anonymous survey by February 14^th. A link to the survey can be found on the website or Facebook page. Visit ride-the-e.com for more information.

SURVEY HERE

Port Authorty seeks qualified bidders for the operation of a water taxi service

 News story from YourErie (JET/FOX66) "

Julie Slomski, the Port Authority’s executive director, said the authority hopes to generate enough proposals to “move forward with the taxi this summer.”

"The authority will accept proposals through Feb. 6. "

~~~~~

ANNOUNCEMENT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 

The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, 1 Holland Street, Erie, PA 16507 will receive sealed proposals for qualified bidders for the operation of a water taxi service on Presque Isle Bay. Proposals will be received until Thursday, February 6 at 4:00 PM. at the office of the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, 1 Holland Street, Erie, PA 16507, at which time and place all bids will be opened publicly. Information for the preparation of proposals may be obtained at the Port Authority Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.porterie.org. Proposal specifications may be reviewed at the Port Authority Office during regular business hours as stated above.

The submission of proposals will obligate the prospective operator not to discriminate in employment practices in accordance with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal in whole or in part and to waive irregularities and to accept or reject any and all bids. 

Julie Slomski 

Executive Director 

(1-10929271-NT-9-16)

PennDOT implements nation’s first statewide real-time public service tracker system

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that the Fixed Route Intelligent Transportation System (FRITS) has been fully implemented at 33 transit agencies across the state. FRITS provides real-time service information for passengers, and enhanced transit planning for agencies. Passengers are now able to see their bus and how far away it is from their location at nearly three dozen transit agencies spanning 41 counties across the Commonwealth. 

[...]

Riders can access real time service information including the location of the bus and predicted stop arrival times via the “myStop” smartphone app. Customers can also easily navigate between transit agencies using myStop, which is especially useful for riders in rural areas. For example, a passenger in Lemont Furnace who needs to travel to Greensburg can use myStop and view information for both Fayette Area Coordinated Transit and Westmoreland County Transit to identify which routes to use, where the bus is currently located, and easily plan their route. Additionally, because all agencies have had their routes certified by Google Maps as part of the project, customers can use Google Maps to plan transit routes as well and rest assured that route information is accurate.

Read more