Port Authority was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1956 to allow for creation of port facilities in the Pittsburgh area. Three years later, the legislation was amended to allow the Port Authority to acquire privately owned transit companies that served the area. This included the Pittsburgh Railways Company and 32 independent bus and incline operations.
On April 19, 1963, the Board of Allegheny County Commissioners authorized the acquisition of 32 transit companies, including the Pittsburgh Railways Company, which had provided bus and streetcar service to Pittsburgh since January 1902, and an incline plane company, for about $12 million. On March 1, 1964, Port Authority Transit began service.
Shortly after the Port Authority began service, 150 GM "Fishbowl" buses were introduced to replace aging ones acquired from its predecessors, a new route numbering convention was introduced, and the fare system was streamlined. Due to urban sprawl, the agency introduced new routes that served new communities. In the following years, additional buses were ordered and several new transit garages opened. Many of the trolley lines acquired from Pittsburgh Railways were abandoned, and turned into bus lines; South Hills lines via Beechview and Overbrook were retained. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Port Authority hoped to introduce a modern rapid transit system known as Skybus with rubber-tired vehicles running on rails, but the plan fell through.
In the early 1970s, the Port Authority entered what was dubbed by its fans the "Mod" era, with buses repainted in splashy paint schemes. Several new flyer routes and routes to Oakland's university core were introduced as part of a new general marketing strategy. In 1975 the Port Authority took over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad commuter rail line to Versailles, which it branded PATrain. These new routes, coupled with the 1973 oil crisis, generated a major increase in ridership. Due to the poor state of the economy at the time, fares increased and there was a brief strike in 1976. In spite of these setbacks, the South Busway opened in 1977 and plans for other capital investments were made.
During the 1980s, with gas prices falling and population loss from the decline of the steel industry, ridership decreased and the agency lowered fares to attract new riders in the middle of the decade. Many new buses were ordered, and the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway opened in 1983.
Construction of a light rail line that started in downtown south to traverse Beechview, with lines to South Hills Village and Library progressed during the decade. Part of the line was an updated version of the old trolley system. In July 1985, the downtown subway opened, the Beechview line followed in 1987 and the Library line a year later. In 1989, the agency celebrated its twenty-fifth year of existence, and commuter rail to Versailles was discontinued.
The agency was rocked by a four-week strike due to a labor dispute in 1992. The strike, coupled with changing demographic patterns, caused a decrease in ridership. New buses that were compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 were introduced early in the decade. In 1993, the badly deteriorated Overbrook light rail line was shut down, requiring trains to use the Beechview line. Several capital projects, such as the construction of a western busway and light rail extensions were considered. In 1998, the agency rebranded itself as "Ride Gold" with new paint schemes and a new marketing campaign.
In 2000, the West Busway from the Ohio River to Carnegie was opened. Shortly thereafter, new bus routes to outlying communities such as Cranberry were established. In 2003, a short extension of the East Busway was completed. The following year, the Overbrook light rail line was re-opened after a lengthy reconstruction. Construction also started on a light rail extension to Pittsburgh's North Shore near Heinz Field, known as the North Shore Connector. Unfortunately, in spite of the capital projects expansion, the agency was in serious financial trouble by the middle of the decade. In June 2007, the agency went through with a 15 percent service cut in order to cut the deficit. In order to provide a dedicated source of funding, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato introduced the controversial 10% Allegheny County Alcoholic Beverage Tax in 2008 to fund the agency. Later that same year, another strike was narrowly averted.
Although Port Authority is part of the local fans' folklore, its off-beat imaging is more notorious. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s the bus fleet was very recognizable with its fleet of air-conditioned GM "Fishbowls" (from their 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1971 orders) sporting a white top with small red strip. Other noticeable features included side destination signs placed near the exit door and an unusual seating arrangement with one side facing forward and the other lining up to match the seating placed on the wheel well. PAT would continue ordering buses in that specification until 1995 when they ordered buses with both seating sides facing front except when on wheel wells. The side destination signs were moved immediately to the left of the front door starting with the 1998 Neoplan AN-460 (articulated bus) order. This continued with the Neoplan Metroliner order but skipped the Neoplan AN-440LF order in 1999. The 2003 order of Gillig Advantage low-floors and all subsequent orders have conformed with the side sign next to front door configuration. It is worth noting that the 1980 GM's RTS buses acquired were specified with the current side sign configuration.
By 1972 it entered what was dubbed by fans the "Mod" era, as buses were given flashy new paint schemes. Buses were painted with color at the front and rear, slanted to line up with the windows, and a large white portion in between.
In the 1980s, the classic 1960s white and red strip look was updated with a larger red strip accompanied by a black strip painted around the window area, while a white background covered most of the bus exterior. This color scheme was in existence for roughly 20 years on the Flxible and NovaBus 'classics' series, although these buses were later repainted and refurbished into the uniform color livery up until their retirements.
In 1998 Port Authority rebranded itself as "Ride Gold" to coincide with its 35th anniversary.
In the early 2000s, Port Authority's buses included various transportation-related words and phrases repeated across the exterior, such as the words "move", "go" "ride" or "connect", combinations of "rockin'" and "rollin'", "ziggin'" and "zaggin'", or "here" and "there".
On September 21, 2006, Port Authority announced that it was retiring the "Ride Gold" campaign and that the bus and light rail fleet will follow the standard design and uniform colors of its Gillig bus fleet. The reason was the system's decision to return to a back-to-basics approach and to save costs on wholesale repainting and refurbishing. Their website began to use simple "PORT AUTHORITY" fonts, and some buses and light rail vehicles have been repainted with the standard "Port Authority" font.
Port Authority operates more than 60 park-and-ride lots in Allegheny County. It also owns 66 transit bridges, 11 highway bridges and four tunnels.
Under the Port Authority-sponsored ACCESS program, a private contractor provides door-to-door service to elderly and disabled passengers throughout the county, seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight. Reservations are placed one day in advance. The ACCESS program is noted as one of the first, most innovative and best in the nation.
Between 2001 and 2004 the Port Authority worked with the local community group Ground Zero to create and operate the "Ultra Violet Loop"; known to some as the "party bus", the UV Loop bus was special service operated on Friday and Saturday nights through the early morning, serving city nightlife and university centers. The UV Loop bus was part of special evaluative service supported in part by local foundations & businesses. While it was well regarded in the abstract, it never achieved the ridership and consistent service needed to continue without external support. The "Ultra Violet Loop" name is a play on the Pittsburgh/Allegheny County Belt System.
Company Name Date "acquired" and routes aquired.
Pittsburgh Railways Co. 3/1/64
By far, the largest takeover, the Pittsburgh Railways Company was the first takeover (through eminent domain laws), which occurred on March 1, 1964. The formal acquisition, however, was tied up in the courts through litigation until 1967, due to arguments over the value of the PRC assets. At the point of takeover, the Port Authority acquired 287 streetcars (trolleys) and 219 conventional transit buses.
Due to the deteriorated shape of many of the vehicles, the Port Authority scrapped all non-GMC buses within the year of the takeover, and began the closure of a number of streetcar lines. The elimination of these buses began a standardization of the fleet, in hopes of cost savings not needing to carry parts for too many different types of vehicles.
Community Transit Service (both divisions) 3/2/64
Community Transit Service was purchased by the Port Authority on March 2, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes (sorted according to division):
Allegheny Valley Division: 1A Pittsburgh-New Kensington-Arnold via North Side, 3A Pittsburgh-New Kensington-Arnold via North Side Express, 77A Pittsburgh-Oakmont via East Liberty, 78A Pittsburgh-Oakmont via East Liberty Express, 5A Arnold-Natrona to Birdville, 5B Arnold Natrona to Tarentum, 5C Birdville-Tarentum-Allegheny-Ludlum Mill.
Bridgeville Division: 31D Bridgeville via Washington Avenue, 33D Bridgeville via Washington Avenue via Parkway Express, 31E Bridgeville via Main Street, 33E Bridgeville via Main Street via Parkway Express.
Penn Transit (including New Kensington City Lines) 3/2/64
The Penn Transit Company was purchased by the Port Authority on March 2, 1964.
The routes acquired from the Penn Transit Company include: 60A Walnut, 60B Jenny Lind, 60C Grandview, 60D Bryn Mawr, 60E Rainbow Gardens, 60F Johnstons Greenhouse, 60G Fairhaven Heights, 60H Blythedale, 60J Greenock Heights, and 60K Crawford Village.
Shafer Coach Lines 3/3/64
The routes acquired from the Shafer Coach Lines include: 21A Coraopolis, 21B Kenmawr, 25A Sewickley-Groveton, 25B Broadhead Road, and 38A Airport Express.
Rogers Transit 3/3/64
No known routes were transferred/used after takeover by PAT.
Brentwood Motor Coach 3/4/64
Brentwood Motor Coach Company was purchased by the Port Authority on March 4, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 41D Brookline, 46A Brentwood via Maytide Street, 46B Baldwin Manor, 46C Ruthfred Acres, 46D Curry via Brentwood Grove, 46E East Brookline via Whited Street, 46F Baldwin Highlands, 51B Spencer Avenue, 51C Brentwood Villa, and 51D Churchview Avenue.
DeBolt Lines 3/6/64
DeBolt Lines was purchased by the Port Authority on March 25, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 51F Pittsburgh-Homestead-Duquesne via South Side, 53F Pittsburgh-Homestead-Duquesne via Parkway, 51G Pittsburgh-Mt Oliver, 55B Homestead-Homeville and 55V Homestead-Skyview Terrace-Irvin Works.
Poskin Bus Lines 3/6/64
Poskin Bus Lines was sold to the Port Authority of Allegheny County on March 6, 1964.
The routes acquired from Poskin include: McDonald and McDonald Express.
Ridge Lines 3/9/64
No known routes were transferred/used after takeover by PAT.
Bigi 3/11/64
Bigi Bus Company was purchased by the Port Authority on March 11, 1964.
The route acquired included route 41B Bridgeville via Bower Hill, 41C Bridgeville via Cedar Blvd, and 45A Heidelberg-Kane Hospital.
Trafford Coach Lines 3/12/64
The routes acquired from the Trafford Coach Lines include: 67F Trafford via Oakland, 68F Trafford via Parkway (Express) and 70A Trafford-Jeannette.
Oriole Motor Coach Lines 3/12/64
Routes acquired from Oriole Motor Coach Lines include: 1 Mt. Lebanon via Banksville, 1 Mt. Lebanon via Parkway, 2/3 Virginia Manor, 4 Carnegie-Greentree via West End, 4 Carnegie-Greentree via Parkway, 5 Westwood, 6/8 Ingram/Rosslyn Farms, 7 Broadhead Manor, Carnegie-Mt Lebanon Shuttle
Burrelli Transit Service (Westinghouse Valley Trailways) 3/16/64
Burrelli Transit Service was purchased by the Port Authority on March 16, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 65F East Pittsburgh-North Braddock, 65B East Pittsburgh-Crescent Hills, 65J Braddock-Forest Hills-Braddock Hills, 65C Braddock-Wilkinsburg and 79C Wilkinsburg-Maplewood.
Bacco Coach Lines was purchased by the Port Authority on March 16, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 70B Wilmerding-Monroeville and 70C Wilmerding-East Pittsburgh.
McKeesport Transit (and Wall Bus Lines) 3/19/64
The McKeesport Transit Company and Wall Bus Line were purchased by the Port Authority on March 19, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 60M McKeesport-East Pittsburgh; 60N East Pittsburgh-Turtle Creek-Monroeville; and 70D Wilmerding-Wall.
Horrell Transportation 3/24/64
Horrell Transportation Company was purchased by the Port Authority on March 24, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 6A Troy Hill Road, 11A McKnight Road, 11B Evergreen Road and 11C Perry Highway.
Ohio River Motor Coach 3/25/64
The Ohio River Motor Coach Company was purchased by the Port Authority on March 25, 1964.
The routes acquired were routes 16A Aliquippa, and 18A Aliquippa Express
Austin Motor Coach 3/25/64
Austin Motor Coach was purchased by the Port Authority on March 25, 1964.
The route acquired included route 65H Linhart-East Pittsburgh.
Wm. Penn Motor Coach (and McCoy Bros.) 3/31/64
McCoy Brothers was purchased by the Port Authority on March 31, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 67E East Pittsburgh-Wilkinsburg-Pittsburgh, 65A East Pittsburgh-Monroeville and 68A Monroeville Express.
Culmerville, Russellton & Cheswick Motor Coach 3/31/64
Culmerville, Russellton and Cheswick Transit Company was purchased by the Port Authority on March 31, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 1B Pittsburgh-Culmerville via Saxonburg Blvd., 1C Pittsburgh-Culmerville via Middle Road, 1D Pittsburgh-Allison Park-Wildwood Road via Mt Royal Blvd., 5K Culmerville-New Kensington and 5M Culmerville-Tarentum.
J. M. Ferguson Bus Co. 3/31/64
J. M. Ferguson Bus Service was purchased by the Port Authority on March 31, 1964.
The route acquired included route 20A Ben Avon Heights.
Duquesne Motor Coach Lines was purchased by the Port Authority on April 15, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 55J Duquesne-McKeesport, 55K Kennedy-Crawford, 55M Duquesne Place and 55P Duquesne-Irvin Works.
Dawson Motor Coach 5/20/64
Dawson Motor Coach was purchased by the Port Authority on March 20, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 65E Swissvale-Braddock and 65K Braddock-Bessemer Terrace
Deere Bros. 5/28/64
Deere Brothers was purchased by the Port Authority on May 28, 1964.
The route acquired included route 77B Frankstown-East Liberty.
Noble J. Dick Lines and the Mon Valley Bus Company were purchased by the Port Authority on June 26, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 46G Pittsburgh-Clairton or Elizabeth via Rt. 51, 48G Pittsburgh-Clairton or Elizabeth via Rt. 51, 46H Pittsburgh-Pleasant Hills, 51E Pittsburgh-Clairton via Rt 885 or Irvin Works, 50A Colonial Village-Wilson Newtown, 50B McKeesport-Glassport-Clairton, 50C McKeesport-Dravosburg-West Elizabeth-Monongahela, 50D McKeesport-Glassport-Elizabeth, 50E McKeesport or Clairton-Irvin Works, 50F Clairton-South Park, 50G McKeesport-Riverview Circle, 50H Elizabeth-Blaine Hill and 50J McKeesport-South Park.
Bamford Coach Lines was purchased by the Port Authority on July 10, 1964.
The routes acquired included routes 55C Whitaker, 55D Homestead Park, 55E Brierly Lane, 55F New Homestead-Calhoun Village, 55G Terrace, 55H Duquesne, 55T Homestead-Continental Can and 55U Homestead-South Park.
Carnegie Coach Co. 1/31/65
Carnegie Coach Lines was purchased by the Port Authority on January 31, 1965.
The routes acquired included routes 35A South Park-Baldwin-Whitehall, 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E.
Duquesne Incline 1/27/65 & Monongahela Incline 5/15/64
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