Transit officials look at free rides in Pittsburgh


November 4, 2011 at 8:42a.m.

Transit officials look at free rides in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Some light rail riders in Pittsburgh could be looking at a free ride.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Port Authority of Allegheny County is trying to find a corporate sponsor to make trips free for riders between downtown and new stations on the city’s North Shore.

A business organization has hired consultants to contact potential partners about footing the bill for some trips or buying station naming rights.

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership CEO Jeremy Waldrup says free fares would make it attractive to park outside downtown and relieve a parking crunch in the business district.

The Post-Gazette report says the estimated cost of the free rides and frequent service would be about $1.6 million per year.