Port Authority free fares end Monday, over 150 employees still off with pay

PITTSBURGH — Port Authority’s free fares will end on Monday, but over 150 employees are still off the job with pay due to not meeting company vaccine requirements.

The free fares began as a favor to riders, after the vaccine mandate forced 480 employees off the job earlier this month.

“I believe that people should be able to ride ‘til this is completely over,” said Danielle Sheller, a Port Authority rider in McKees Rocks.

“They called us heroes, but now we are just replaceable,” said Jonathan Lutz, who worked for the company as a mechanic for four years before being let go due to the vaccine mandate.

“They asked me if I was vaccinated. I didn’t say yes or no, I just told them that I didn’t want to answer it,” Lutz said.

Many riders have been affected because of bus delays and cancellations resulting from the lack of workers.

Port Authority said there are going to be fewer disruptions moving forward, releasing a statement last week saying:

“Fortunately, it has already begun to improve as more and more employees get vaccinated and become eligible to return to work.”

In the latest numbers, Port Authority says 81 employees are on a 30-day probationary period pending their second dose. Nine employees were terminated. Eight retired, and 153 employees are still off with pay as of Friday.

With the free ride program coming to an end, riders told Channel 11 they have mixed feelings about the change.

“It’s not our fault, the government did this,” one rider said.

“It is what it is, I guess,” said David, who commutes from the South Side. “I would say you know, hopefully they get it together.”

11 News reached out to Port Authority about what kind of disruptions to expect and are waiting to hear back.

Stay with us as we continue to follow this situation.