Comments on: Allegheny Conference— Spreading Misinformation about Transit???

By: CBriem

CBriem — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:47:29 +0000

Ken, I’m trying not to respond to your repeated mischaracterization of what I said.. but I have stated it’s the selective use of cost of living adjustment and the misuse of the COLI data for a purpose it clearly states it is not intended for. The state factfinder makes a stronger statement against the use of regional cost of living adjustments that I do by herself ignoring the adjustment you think are so important. I think she is fully aware of the state reports that do use the adjustment. Do you take issue with the state factfinder report? I also point out that the average fare calculation does not begin to take into account the different age/experience patterns at the Port Authority vs. other sytems. So to keep saying I just don’t think cost of living adjustment is relevant is just plain false and misleading. If you think that is too harsh, then clearly you have to admit its superficial. This is not helpful to the debate unless you think it’s all about spin.

I actually do think there are lots of times a cost of living adjustment is appropriate, so again as I have asked before: what is the cost of living adjusted base fare in use by the port authority compared to other systems.

By: rachel c

rachel c — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:28:08 +0000

I was really struck by this particular point in Mr. Pass’ piece:

Mr. Zapinski extols the benefits of the retiree health-care trust put in place for the employees of the Chicago Transit Authority. Having drafted and fought to have that trust implemented, I would point out that Local 85 proposed the same type of trust for the Port Authority.

I had not heard this before. If Local 85 offered to do something similar, why wouldn’t PAT jump at the offer?

Certainly Ken, your article makes it sound like Local 85 has never offered something so reasonable.

By: Ken Zapinski

Ken Zapinski — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:53:43 +0000

I’m glad to see more and more people paying attention to the transit debate in Pittsburgh. It’s important in that debate to distinguish between fact and opinion. It is a fact, that when using the methodology and data sources that the PA Economy League used, that the Port Authority drivers have the highest wage, when adjusted for regional variances in the cost of living, of any major metro area in the country.

How significant or relevant you think that is in the current debate is opinion. Mr. Pass and Mr. Null Space do not believe the analysis is relevant to the debate. We think it is.

Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the discussion.