Keep Port Authority bus banners
I’m a lifelong Pittsburgh fan but a recent transplant from Central Pennsylvania. One of my favorite Pittsburgh memories was driving into the city on a cold January morning in 2017 on my way to an interview for an internship. Coming down Forbes Avenue, I saw “GO STEELERS” emblazoned across the top of a 61A bus. As soon as I read those words, I felt a sense of Pittsburgh pride build up inside of me and a smile grow across my face even as I ran straight into rush hour traffic.
Port Authority has decided to remove these banners from the buses, which I can’t help but feel sad about (Feb. 25, “Back to Basics: No More Team Slogans on Port Authority”).
As a frequent bus rider, after I’ve had a hard day or even when I’m having a great one, it lifts me up and makes me smile to see these mobile billboards of Pittsburgh pride rolling around the city. After the tragic events at the Tree of Life, seeing “PITTSBURGH STRONG” flash across the buses made that Pittsburgh pride well up inside me again. It strengthened my love for this city, and my desire to help it heal grew stronger every time I got on the bus.
Coming from someone who two years ago barely knew anything about the bus system, I think it is worth waiting an extra three seconds for my route information to bring some cheer and pride to the streets. It adds a bit of joy to the often drab experience of riding the bus.
ERIC HITE North Oakland While the principle came to to the forefront in the battle against Jim Crow at places like the Woolworth’s lunch counter, it applies equally to health care.
It is unacceptable for a business to accept my money from an out-of-state Blue insurance carrier while simultaneously refusing an equal payment by my neighbor for the same service.
Furthermore, it is unconscionable that our local, state and federal governments provide tax exemptions for a business claiming to be a charity, while the business refuses to provide services to all customers willing to pay their established prices.
DAVID GREENWALD O’Hara