For Immediate Release: 29 February 2012

Contact: Justin Wasser, Campaign Manager

Molchany Stands Up, Speaks Out to Save Transit

Erin Molchany testified at Port Authority Hearing, Demands State Attention

Pittsburgh– Erin Molchany testified today in defense of public transportation to the Pittsburgh Port Authority board today in front of a packed hearing room. Proposed route cuts would eliminate 1/3 of Pittsburgh’s transit services, many of them in the 22nd House District.

Transportation is a top issue for Molchany on the campaign trail. Today, she took time off from talking to voters at the door to send a message to Harrisburg: “This is not a local issue, this a state problem that demands attention in Harrisburg.”

Molchany spoke over thunderous applause as she declared: “Transit should never be a profit driven enterprise, but a public service that we all own.”

Transcript of Molchany’s Testimony

Good afternoon. I want to first thank you for taking the time to listen to the concerns of our communities regarding the proposed port authority service cuts scheduled for this September.

My name is Erin Colleen Molchany, and I am here today as a commuter, candidate and a concerned citizen. I have been a Mt Washington Resident for the past 15 years, and have always considered myself one of the luckiest commuters. I worked downtown for the last 12 years, and every day, I walked to the Monongahela Incline, transferred to the T, and could get to work in 20 minutes or less. I know the inline operators, the toll booth collectors and everyone in between. I loved my routine, and appreciated everyone who had a role. I think this is why I understand what is at stake and recognize that the only thing to do is move forward with bold state-level solutions to funding transportation and infrastructure.

I decided as I wrote this, that I was not going to present all of the critical routes that I think shouldn’t be cut. As the former Executive Director of PUMP, an organization committed to attracting and retaining young people to our vibrant, dynamic and diverse region, I will remind you that an affordable and accessible transit system is critical to attracting the the elusive twenty and thirty- somethings we want investing in our city.

We are at mission critical, and I am here to stand up for solutions and willing to contribute to them. It is time for all of us, who are here and clearly believe transit to be critical to growing our economy, to take this conversation to Harrisburg.

It is short-sided to believe that this is an Allegheny County problem. As citizens, taxpayers and voters, we must re-invest in the idea that Transportation is a service that we all should invest in. It’s how we get to work, it’s how we get to our stadiums, it’s how I get home to Allentown to visit my Dad. It’s an investment, and one that I believe we must be willing to make.

I will support your efforts to work toward a solution that involves systemic change to ensure our transit systems, roads, and bridges are Pennsylvania assets that benefit all Pennsylvanians for generations to come. Both industry and individuals must pay our share of the infrastructure and transit we use everyday. Our roads, bridges and transit should never be a profit driven enterprise, but a public service that we all own.

The Governor’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission has come up with recommendations and steps we can take as a Commonwealth to prioritize and address our transportation and infrastructure issues. I challenge our elected leadership fight to have this conversation in Harrisburg and compel the Governor to act. We all deserve to feel safe when travelling on our interstate highways and rural roads, and to have our bridges safely constructed by the trained professionals who are held to nothing short of excellence in their trade. Anything less is just unacceptable.

Transportation in every form connects us to each other, our jobs, our families and our quality of life.

As a citizen, I will do my part to call the Governor and express my position. As a candidate for the PA House of Representatives 22nd District, I am committed to working toward a solution with all members of the general assembly to ensure Pennsylvania is known for its beautiful and structurally sound bridges, it’s expansive and safe highways, and its world class public transit systems.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Erin Molchany is a candidate for the Democratic Primary in the 22nd district. She is the former Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP). She owns a house in Mt. Washington.

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