[PRCo] Free rides on pat extension for 3-years

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

There will be three years of free rides on Port Authority of Allegheny 
County LRVs over the 1.2-mile North Shore Connector, which extends from 
downtown Pittsburgh to sports and visitor venues on the city's north 
side via twin bored tunnels under the Allegheny River, the Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette reports. The LRT extension opens March 25. Here is a staff 
blog entry followed by the print story and a video:
http://tinyurl.com/23prld6
"Big win for transit riders, city
Thursday, 23 February 2012 08:51
Written by Jon Schmitz
Wednesday's announcement that all rides on the Port Authority's new 
North Shore Connector will be free (click this link for story and cool 
video) is a huge boost to the much-maligned project, to commuters and to
 the Pittsburgh's efforts to be more visitor-friendly.

The connector is a 1.2-mile extension of the Light Rail Transit system, 
the T in local vernacular, from a new Gateway Center station Downtown to
 new stations near PNC Park (officially North Side Station) and Heinz 
Field (Allegheny Station). The free rides are being underwritten by the 
Pittsburgh Stadium Authority, Alco Parking (shout-out to Good Corporate 
Citizen Merrill Stabile), the Rivers Casino and the Steelers. (No 
Pirates -- they'd evidently rather invest in 35-year-old pitchers.)

As you consider the many possibilities this extension will create when 
it opens March 25, think of Downtown visitors who inquire at their hotel
 front desk how they can get to a game or concert or the casino -- and 
learn that not only does our T go there, it's free.

Perhaps this will help Pittsburghers -- maybe the only folks in the 
world who can complain about a major transit improvement that cost next 
to nothing in local dollars -- celebrate our new transportation asset. 
(Yeah, sure.)

Photo by Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette
[end text]
Here is the story referred to in the blog:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12054/1212088-53.stm
"Trips on North Shore T section will be free
Steelers, Rivers Casino will underwrite fares for three years
Thursday, February 23, 2012
By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

(photo caption)
Bob Donaldson / Post-Gazette
The Port Authority's Allegheny T Station on the North Shore with the Rivers Casino in the background.

(video - scenes on the new line)

(article)
The Steelers and Rivers Casino have agreed to underwrite free rides to 
and from the new Allegheny station on the Port Authority's Light Rail 
Transit system.

An earlier agreement with the Pittsburgh Stadium Authority and Alco 
Parking ensured free rides to the North Side station, so all service on 
the new 1.2-mile extension known as the North Shore Connector will be 
free after it opens on March 25. Both agreements are for three years.

Allegheny station is next to Heinz Field. North Side station is near PNC
 Park. The $523.4 million connector project also features a new Gateway 
Center station, Downtown. With the existing Downtown free fare zone, 
riders will be able to go between First Avenue and Allegheny without 
paying.

"This agreement brings a tremendous level of transit service to the 
ever-growing North Shore, providing new opportunities to commuters, 
students and those heading for a little fun at the game or casino," said
 Port Authority CEO Steve Bland.
PG VIDEO

Steelers President Art Rooney II said the connector "will assist all the
 North Shore/North Side communities to continue to build on the momentum
 and progress that is reshaping the North Shore of Pittsburgh."

"The North Shore is truly an entertainment destination for residents and
 visitors," said Craig Clark, general manager of Rivers Casino. "Rivers 
is proud to help make transportation easy and accessible."

Under the agreement, the Steelers and Rivers Casino will pay a total of 
$200,000 to the authority. Of that, $40,000 will be used for advertising
 and $160,000 will underwrite the cost of fares. The payments will rise 
to $205,000 in the second year and $210,000 in the third year.

The authority credited Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald with brokering the agreement with the Steelers and the casino.

"We appreciate the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rivers Casino stepping 
up," Mr. Fitzgerald said. The free fare zone "provides easy access to 
Heinz Field and the Rivers Casino, but also extends our Downtown to the 
North Side where residents and visitors can get to locations including 
the Community College of Allegheny County and the Carnegie Science 
Center."

Officials are hoping that the service attracts commuters to surplus 
parking in North Shore garages and lots, easing the shortage of spaces 
in the Golden Triangle. Rail service to the North Shore during peak 
periods will operate every 4 to 5 minutes.

"Expanding the T's Free Fare Zone to Allegheny and North Side stations 
stretches the borders of Downtown Pittsburgh and creates a strong 
connection to current and future development in the North Shore. In 
addition, easier access to parking facilities on the North Shore will 
provide Downtown workers, students, and visitors with even more parking 
options so they can get into the Golden Triangle for work, or to enjoy 
Downtown's many unique amenities," said Jeremy Waldrup, president and 
CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.