Computer glitches, broken-down trains and weather-related outages delayed commutes on Port Authority's light rail service five of the past 10 days.
"We have a very large transit system -- one of the largest in the country -- and we have countless maintenance issues that pop up on our light rail system and buses every day," said authority spokesman Jim Ritchie. "On the T system, when something breaks down, it causes more problems because it's blocking the way of other vehicles. You can't just pull off to the side of the road."
From Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, the computer program that controls a switch and signal between Wood Street and Steel Plaza temporarily stopped trains from using platforms at Wood Street, causing backups. Port Authority workers have not determined what caused it to occur three days in a row, Ritchie said.
Tuesday afternoon, the emergency braking system on a train in the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel stuck when it wasn't supposed to, temporarily blocking outbound trains between Station Square and South Hills Junction. Clearing the line took longer than expected, Ritchie said.
About an hour later, a "low voltage" warning light came on in another train near St. Anne's station in Castle Shannon. To fix what he believed was a false alarm, the operator tried to lower the arm that touches the overhead wire, and then raise the arm to reset the system, but the arm got stuck in the "down" position, leaving the train unable to continue, Ritchie said.
Yesterday, wind knocked out power at the South Hills Village operations center and train yard, forcing crews to throw track switches manually. That delayed trains leaving the yard for the afternoon rush hour commute.
A tree fell on the T's power lines in Bethel Park, forcing trains on the 47L Library line to turn around at Washington Junction until it could be removed and the line re-energized around 4:45 p.m. Shuttle buses ran between Washington Junction and Library.
Riders heading out of Downtown began to show frustration yesterday, blaming North Shore Connector construction for some problems.
"I think they shouldn't be wasting half-a-billion dollars going under the river," said Ray Senneway, 50, of Upper St. Clair. "Though generally I like the T. I'd rather be here than driving West Liberty Avenue, because that's delayed every day."
Marianne Davis, 61, takes the T frequently from Mt. Lebanon to her job at Point Park University, and said delays made her late for work.
"I've been so used to the streetcar being extra reliable that I don't usually require extra time in my commute," she said. "But if this keeps up, I might have to."
