Image Description: photo of Downtown Pittsburgh taped on a paper background, with stickers of a football and a red PRT bus.
New data shows that transit was the star of the NFL Draft—here’s what we learned (and how we can use it to win better transit in the future)!
- Public transit is the reason the Draft succeeded!
Event buses were full, and the roads were free of traffic. Places that had transit access to the Draft grew crowds; places without it, didn’t. - It pays to pay transit workers!
Operators were paid higher wages for working a strenuous event, and they did a fabulous job. We can, and should, pay essential workers according to their high value. - Free fares = better service, higher ridership!
They reduce barriers to entry, increase access for low-income riders, and even saves time en-route. Sheetz, the Pittsburgh Organizing Committee and The Pittsburgh Foundation paid the T and “football flyers” fares, so PRT lost no money. Plus, higher ridership actually generates more revenue for PRT (thanks to state funding laws).
Free fares can be implemented for more than just special event attendees; it can benefit low-income riders AND the agency. - People love taking the bus—when it’s easy!
Draft service was direct, frequent, clearly communicated, and easily understandable. And it paid off for almost 485,000 rides! - Big events like this would not be possible without a functional, accessible, affordable transit system—all the time.
We don’t need to wait for the next big event to roll around to build and fund a transit system that works for our city. We can build one that generates economic benefits, now, for our city. - Promoting transit works!
PRT, the Mayor, and the County Executive—not to mention Visit Pittsburgh, local news outlets, and local influencers—regularly promoted the benefits of transit, and urged visitors to hop on the bus to avoid congestion and high parking costs. And it worked! - The true cost of parking is high!
Driving, finding a parking spot, and paying for it was inconvenient for Draft visitors—and it’s still inconvenient for everyday commuters. If given reliable, affordable, frequent transit options, people won’t choose to add congestion or pollution to our roads.