Budget issues have caused the Port Authority of Allegheny County to cut services while increasing prices are again becoming a leading cause to make the already difficult commute for some Point Park University students even more of a hassle.

Heather Cunningham, a junior biology science and pre-med major, uses the Port Authority buses to get to school; she is “crossing her fingers that Port Authority doesn’t cut any more services.”

Khalid Harper of Port Authority’s customer service department said that the changes being made currently may not be as extreme as they are expected to be. Harper said it is true that some routes are changing, but the main alteration is only in the names

Last year, Port Authority made some major changes, such as cutting down services, limiting stops and increasing fares. This year, it seems as if these service changes are not over, nor are increases in fares.

The $1.75 Zone one admission fare from last year has increased to $2, which will remain the same. However, other prices are already on the rise and are expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2010.

“Zone one will remain $2. However, Zone two is currently $2.60, and they are trying to make it $3,” Harper said.

He also said that transfers, which are now only 50 cents, will become 75 cents. Monthly passes are increasing from $75 to $80, and weekly passes are increasing from $20 to $22, as well.

Some students may find it disappointing and somewhat irritating that the prices of transportation are increasing again, especially for those like Nathan Johnson, a senior secondary education of English major.

Johnson said he spends about $20 to $25 a week commuting by both driving and taking the bus.

One useful concession is the Point Park discount, which enables anyone who has a legitimate university ID to get a $1 discount. On the other hand, many students are not aware that Point Park ID cards can actually be useful for cutting down the bus fares.

A receptionist at Port Authority’s customer service department, confirmed that after 7 p.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends and holidays, Point Park students may use their ID to redeem a $1 off of admission onto the bus, trolley or incline.

For those who are brave enough to commute by car, Johnson said that after 6 p.m., parking is free alongside the street near campus.

“Try to catch the early bird specials if you’re here all day,” Johnson said.

Port Authority riders may have the additional concern of not being able to transport Downtown at all during the G-20 Summit.

Harper said, as of now, Port Authority has no information regarding which roads will be closed and “will not be informed until at least one day before the actual event.”

He explained that this is intended to secure the secrecy of which routes they will be taking while transporting the leaders around the city in order to ensure their safety.

Commuters are questioning about how to prepare themselves if they are unaware of where they can and cannot go. Harper said any time the city has a major event that causes it to “shut down,” Port Authority uses the same detour routes for each occurrence.

Until Port Authority is alerted of which roads they may use and what “radius” they have access to within the city, Harper said they will use the same detours unless they have to make changes.

“It’s going to be a mess,” Harper said.

All commuters can do now is hope it will not be.

If students have any questions regarding the price changes, route changes or what to expect when the roads will be closing, they can contact Port Authority at (412) 442-2000 or by visiting their Web site, www.portauthority.org.