Port Authority officials say several drivers working out of its Harmar garage could face disciplinary action for distributing fliers Wednesday morning with what leaders called misinformation about planned changes to routes and service.

Riders boarding some bus routes to the Allegheny Valley, Plum, North Hills, Monroeville and Pittsburgh's East End were handed brochures cautioning that Port Authority plans to cut or even eliminate service to entire communities.

One pamphlet on Oakmont-bound buses said service to Oakmont and Verona would be eliminated, said Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie.

The Port Authority is making final adjustments to its Transit Development Plan, which cuts underused or duplicate routes in order to increase service on busier routes.

"The fliers are clearly written based on the TDP proposals, but the interpretation of those changes is grossly inaccurate," Ritchie said. "Our only interpretation of that is that the main intention of the fliers is to scare people, rather than inform or educate them."

The Port Authority's customer-service center has been swamped with calls from concerned riders. Officials said they plan to increase their outreach to communities served by the flier-blanketed buses.

"It's so widespread now we have to address it — even if we have to go out and stand at bus stops with the correct information," Ritchie said.

A letter released by the Port Authority and signed by CEO Steve Bland said the fliers apparently are the work of "a handful of disgruntled drivers." Ritchie said it is not known whether the fliers were sanctioned by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85, which represents drivers.

Union President Patrick McMahon could not be reached for comment.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)