Officials Blame Longtime Errors for Transit's Peril

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In a 10-year period, Port Authority of Allegheny County lost nearly 5 million riders -- yet operated 78 more buses a day.

The agency's expenses climbed during the same period by 64 percent -- or nearly $130 million, according to Federal Transit Administration data from 1996-2006, the most recent available.

The numbers capsulize the problems driving the mass transit agency toward turmoil, as it reaches a virtual stalemate with its drivers' union on how to cut labor costs in a contract that would start July 1.

Recent efforts to generate more fare revenue and cut costs by slashing routes and trimming management benefits were not enough.

"If we keep …