Penn Station (PAT Station)
The Port Authority opened a spur to Penn Park station in 1988, to link the 1985 downtown subway to the East Busway. However, the line was difficult to integrate into other services, since it utilized a portion of an old single tracked former Pennsylvania Railroad tunnel. This tunnel travels beneath the US Steel Tower, and the building's structural supports are on each side of the tunnel, prohibiting the installation of a second track. The station is still listed as part of the Red Line subway service but has had no regular service since 1993. As late as 2001, the line would only see, if any, up to two afternoon rush hour trains. It is not clear as to why service on this line was discontinued, but it is likely attributed to the aforementioned infrastructure limitations as well as limited ridership. Moreover, Penn Station is within the boundary of Port Authority's "Free Fare Zone," therefore service to the station does not generate any additional revenue.
The station continues to be used in extremely limited circumstances, including usage as part of the Port Authority's detoured transportation routes following Super Bowl XLV on 6 February 2011.
Read more about this topic: Union Station (Pittsburgh)
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