I'm Holding My Breath

For the record, I think commuter rail service would be great in Pittsburgh. I would use it whenever I had the opportunity. Here’s the problem. I think this commuter rail plan is about as likely to happen as completion of the Spine Line.

To give a little background; here’s a roughshod timeline on Pittsburgh’s past with commuter rail. Check out the full history here.

1960’s-Pennsylvania discontinues commuter rail service in Pittsburgh

1975-PAT begins commuter operation from a station at Grant Street (Where the jail and courthouse currently stand) to Versailles.

1981-PAT begins operation to Greensburg during Parkway East Construction project. Service was discontinued after about a year.

1985-Pittsburgh and Lake Erie discontinues commuter rail service on a line which ran from Beaver Falls to what is now known as Station Square.

1989-PAT discontinues service through the Mon-Valley, leaving no commuter rail service in Pittsburgh

2000- A new commuter rail operation pushed, this time from New Kensington to Pittsburgh. This includes a feasibility study.

2004-A special train called a “DMU” or Diesel Multiple Unit tours the line from Oakmont to New Kensington. This is meant to be a potential demonstration train for the type that could be used on the proposed commuter route between New Kensington and Pittsburgh.

2008- A feasibility study is conducted concerning the line from New Kensington to Pittsburgh, along with another Route from Greensburg or Latrobe to Pittsburgh.

2009-Study says that service is feasible.

2009-Councilman Bill Peduto proposes a heavy rail commuter shuttle between Hazelwood and Lawrenceville or Downtown.

2009-Major re-construction of Route 28 begins.

2009-Owner of property in the Strip challenges Allegheny Valley Railroad’s right of way ownership. This would prevent building of proposed commuter station in the Strip. Case has been taken to STB in Washington, but no word on ruling, or subsequent appeals.

What’s my point? Pittsburgh has a wishy washy history with Commuter Rail to begin with. The current incarnation of commuter rail has been around, 10 or so years. Route 28 is in the midst of a huge reconstruction project. Given the amount of time that this version of the project has been around, now would be an optimal time for implementation of this service. Ten years of planning time, synchronized perfectly with the start of major construction on 28 would create a great service with optimal ridership. However, little has changed since 2000. At this rate, I see one of two things happening.

#1 Nothing (Most likely in my book)
#2 By the time they get this thing in place, 28 will be done, and they will have missed out on a TON of potential riders.

Too bad there is no way to harness the current support for the operation to help speed it up.