Beginning next month, commuters will have to pay to park when riding the T subway from South Hills Village. Instead of using the free parking lot to which they've become accustomed, they will be forced to pay more than $260 a year - or $2 each day - to park in the high-rise garage that abuts the stop.
On Dec. 3, this location will become the only major stop on the subway line in the South Hills where commuters will be charged for parking. Even the Port Authority press release tells riders they can avoid paying for parking by traveling to nearby already overcrowded park and ride lots as those in Bethel Park, Castle Shannon, Dormont Junction, Library or Washington Junction.
The closing of the lot does not come as a total surprise. It is something the Port Authority has been warning the public about since the parking garage opened in 2005.
The $24 million parking garage, with space for 2,200 cars, has a host of amenities such a three elevators, direct covered access to the platform and a variety of safety features.
What it doesn't have - and hasn't had since it opened - are enough customers to justify it being built. With less than 300 users daily, several floors of the garage are blocked off. In fact, a similar garage planned in Robinson Township has been put on hold because of the failure of the South Hills garage.
So, instead of a nearly 600-space free parking lot, medical and professional buildings are planned for the site. A property group will pay just more than $13 million over 99 years - more than $130,000 yearly - to lease the property.
The announcement of the lot closing comes at a time when gas prices are at their highest ever. It comes at a time when the use of mass transit and car pooling are being highly encouraged. It comes at a time when we're supposed to encourage goodwill toward others and revel in holiday spirit.
It's difficult to be enthusiastic about this latest rug which has been pulled out from under hard-working people. While understanding the financial constraints the Port Authority may be under, it is no justification for not only passing on those costs to riders but in requiring riders to pick up the cost for what has become a "white elephant" garage.
The expansion of the subway to the North Side of Pittsburgh for easier access to Steeler and Pirate games is an exciting venture. It should be something which encourages more people to ride the T during those and other events. But closing a popular, free parking lot and requiring customers to use a pay lot is a backward step toward increasing the number of riders.
Riders who want to continue to catch the T from the convenient South Hills Village location will spend the extra money to park in the garage. Sadly, it's their only choice.