Transit for All PA! Rally and Lobby Day in Harrisburg!

Whether we live in big cities or small towns, public transit is a lifeline–it connects us to jobs, healthcare, community, and so much more. Public transit in Pennsylvania is under dire threat, but we can take action together to save and expand it.

Join Transit for All PA! for a day of rallying and meeting with state legislators to share our stories and tell them: Pennsylvania deserves transit that moves all of us!

• before 10am: Travel to Harrisburg
• 10am-11am: Rally & Press Conference
• Noon-1pm: Drop-in Lunch Hour
• 11am-3pm: Legislative Visits

Transportation

Transit for All PA! will be providing transportation from some communities to and from Harrisburg for this event.

Transportation from Pittsburgh

Buses to and from Harrisburg will be provided to attendees from Pittsburgh. Please meet at 4836 Ellsworth at 5:00 AM; the bus will depart at 5:30 AM. Stay tuned after registration for more details on how to reserve a spot on the bus.

Transportation from Philadelphia

Transit for All PA! will provide train tickets for attendees from the Philadelphia area. We will be taking the Keystone Line from the William H. Gray 30th Street. The train departs at 7:25 AM, so be sure to be there with plenty of time to board. Please stay tuned after registration for more details on how to reserve a ticket.

Transportation from Lancaster

Transit for All PA! will provide train tickets for attendees from the Lancaster area. The Keystone Line will arrive at the Lancaster Amtrak station at 8:42 AM, so be sure to be there with plenty of time to board. Please stay tuned after registration for more details on how to reserve a ticket.

Transportation from other communities

Transit for All PA! may also provide transportation from other communities in PA. We will determine which communities to charter buses to and from based on interest and funding, so please indicate if you would like transportation assistance when you fill out the form. Please stay tuned after registration for more details on how to reserve a spot.

Food

Everyone who RSVPs will receive a free lunch. Please let us know when you register if you have any dietary restrictions that must be accommodated. Reach out to info@transitforallpa.org if you have any restrictions that are not listed.

Accessibility

Please let us know when you register if you have any additional access needs (I.e., mobility devices, interpretation, etc) that must be accommodated, either during the rally or during transportation to and from Harrisburg. If you have accessibility needs that are not listed on the form, please reach out to info@transitforallpa.org.

Join the leadership team to coordinate the strategic direction of Pittsburghers for Public Transit. Nominations open until July 6th. Voting open from July 9th to August 13th.

Pittsburghers for Public Transit is a grassroots union of transit riders, transit workers and neighbors. We fight for a public transit system that is expanded, reliable, accessible and affordable to all in Allegheny County, with no community left out. We operate as a member-led organization, which means its our members who elect our Board of Directors, develop and approve our annual strategic plan, and participate in our different committees to win our campaigns.

Our Board Election Season is a special time for PPT! We are looking for a new round of leaders who understand the importance of our work for transit justice in Allegheny County, and are looking to get more involved in directing the course of our campaigns, communications, and actions. Nominations are open until July 6th. If you think you know what it takes to lead our Union, nominate yourself or someone else! The nomination of transit riders, transit workers, Youth, Black people, Indigenous people, People of Color, LGBTQ People, People with Disabilities, Immigrants, and Women are strongly encouraged.

Nominate yourself or someone who inspires you with their leadership, vision, and commitment to transit justice.

More about nominations and voting:
6 seats are open for PPT’s General Membership to run for.
1 seat is open for a PPT Member who is a unionized transit worker.

See the list of current Board Members here.

This year, the board decided to open at least 4 seats for General PPT Members to serve on the board. These people will be elected to the seats currently filled by Bobbie Fan, Dean Mougianis, Gabriel McMorland, Mayor Nickole Nesby, Paul O’Hanlon, and Teaira Collins.

Our bylaws require that each year’s election reserves a seat for a union transit worker. This person will be elected to the seat that is currently being filled by Kevin Joa.

Nominations for these seats are open until Jul 6th. All current PPT Members are welcome to nominate themselves or another PPT Member. Outgoing board members are able to self-nominate or be nominated by another to serve another term.

PPT members are all those who support the Transit Bill of Rights, have participated in a PPT action or meeting, and have given dues of at least $2.75 cents within the last year (the cost of a single PRT fare).

PPT staff will confirm with each nominee whether they accept the nomination to be on the ballot. Each nominee will also be invited to submit up to 250 words about their background, experience, and vision for the organization. This can be submitted through the nomination form, email, or via phone and PPT staff will transcribe.

All nominee bios will be sent to PPT Members the second week of June and again the first week of July. Bios and photos will also be included in the ballot. Nominees will have 3 minutes to speak at the July PPT member meeting before votes are cast to highlight their vision for PPT and how their skills will help build the organization.

Voting in the 2025 Board of Directors election will open at PPT’s monthly meeting on July 10th, and remain open until the Summer Picnic on August 13th. PPT members cast their vote via an online form that will be shared at the July meeting and emailed, or by calling PPT’s Director.

PPT Board Structure and Expectations

Each July, PPT members vote for leaders to fill seats on PPT’s 5-15 member Board of Directors. Board Members serve a 2-year term. 2 seats must be filled by members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 85 (the union that represents all of the Port Authority’s bus operators and maintenance workers) or another transportation union that represents workers in Allegheny County because strong community/labor solidarity is a central belief of the organization. The other seats are filled by members who have had previous experience with PPT’s work, and are looking to bring their involvement to the next level.

Members of the Board are expected to attend quarterly Board meetings and should also stay engaged with General Membership Meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. Additionally, Coordinating Committee members will need to maintain active lines of communication with PPT staff and other PPT members to advise and assist with the organization’s strategy, tactics, structure, and financial sustainability. Board Members should also serve on one of PPT’s three committees (Organizing Committee, Communications Committee, and Research Committee).

An excerpt of Article IV of PPT’s bylaws with full detail of the expectations and powers of PPT’s board is included at the bottom of this blog.

2025 PPT Board of Directors Election Schedule

• Nominations are open until July 6th.
• Bios and photos of current nominees will be sent to members before the June PPT meeting and again before the July PPT meeting. Bios will also be included on the ballot.
• July 9th, 7pm: PPT Monthly Meeting with Board Nominee introductions and Elections, voting opens
• August 13th, 11:59pm: Final deadline for PPT members to submit their ballots online or via phone

Submit nominations through the link below, or by calling PPT’s Director, Laura Wiens, at 703-424-0854:

Excerpt from Article IV of PPT’s Bylaws explaining expectations and operations of our Board:

Article IV – Board of Directors 

Section 1: Board Role, Size and Composition

The PPT Board of Directors shall hereinafter be referred to as the Board.

The Board is responsible for managing the business affairs, property, and policies of PPT. The Board shall be composed of five (5) to fifteen (15) members representing diverse interests and areas of expertise that strengthen the knowledge base of PPT. A minimum of two (2) seats will be reserved for members of the Amalgamated Transit Union or any union representing mass transportation workers in the Greater Pittsburgh Region. One of these reserved transportation union seats shall be elected in every second year. The Board shall have charge of the proper, normal, and usual expenditures and other business of the corporation; they shall enforce the provision of these bylaws; they shall abide by the policies and procedures set forth in the Policies and Procedures Manual, and shall enforce the rules and regulations set forth for the management, care, and governance of the property and affairs of the corporation. The Board may employ or appoint such person or persons, or agents, as they deem necessary to further the business of the corporation and shall set and adjust the compensation of all persons or agents so employed or appointed. 

The Board will hire an Executive Director who may hire such paid staff as they deem proper and necessary for the operation of the Corporation. The powers and duties of the Executive Director shall be assigned or delegated by the Board of Directors. The powers and duties of the paid staff, other than the Executive Director, shall be as assigned or as delegated by the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors, in accordance with PPT personnel policies.  

Section 2. Qualifications for Board of Directors

Board members shall be elected from the eligible voting, dues-paying membership, and only dues-paying members are eligible to run in the elections. Candidates for the board must have been a dues-paying member for six (6) months prior to an election. 

Section 3. Compensation

The Board of PPT shall serve without compensation. Board members may be reimbursed for pre-approved expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of PPT. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to preclude a Board member from receiving compensation for their service to PPT in some other capacity, provided that the transaction has been reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee in compliance with PPT’s conflict of interest policy.

Section 4. Recruitment and Elections

Nominations for new Board members will be made and publicized by the Board, Membership, and/or staff, at least two (2) months before the Membership meeting at which the election will take place.  Elections for the Board shall take place every year, with five (5) seats elected in even years, and six (6) seats elected in odd years.

Elections shall be announced verbally at the two (2) immediately preceding membership meetings before the election.

Dues paying members in good standing are eligible to vote. 

Bios and platforms of candidates shall be distributed by email to members one month in advance of the vote, and publicized on PPT’s website. Candidates will have three (3) minutes to address the general membership in advance of the election during the general membership meeting. Voting will be open for a minimum of one (1) week.

Section 5. Powers

The government of PPT, the direction of its work, and the control of its property shall be vested in the Board. The Board shall be authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as may be deemed advisable for the government of the Board, the proper conduct of business of PPT, and the guidance of all committees, officers, and employees. The Board shall be empowered to do whatever in its judgement may be calculated to increase efficiency and add to the usefulness of PPT; and to carry out the main purpose of this association provided such action is not in conflict with these bylaws. 

Section 6. Limitations

PPT shall be non-partisan and non-sectarian in its activities. 

Section 7. Term of office and Maximum number of terms  

Directors shall be elected to a term of two (2) years. Board members shall serve a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms. 

Section 8. Meeting Attendance Requirement

Board members must attend a minimum of three (3) out of the four (4) quarterly board meetings per year by phone or presence. Failure to fulfill minimum board obligations may be accepted by the board as a de facto or implicit resignation. The Board member will be informed before the publication of such de facto resignation to the members.

SOS! Stop the cuts! Stop the fare hikes! It’s time to SAVE OUR SERVICE and win transit funding to move us all!!

Devastating cuts of up to 35% of our bus and T service and 62% of ACCESS services have been proposed to take effect in Allegheny County if the Pennsylvania state legislature fails to pass new funding for transit for next year. The impact of these cuts would be staggering- for riders, for our economy and businesses, for our region’s road congestion and air quality. Bus lines are lifelines, and our lifelines are on life support.

Riders, transit workers and Allegheny County elected officials are standing together to say, “NOT ON OUR WATCH!”

On the first day of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s first public hearing on the funding crisis, Transit for All PA!, Pittsburghers for Public Transit and Mobilify Southwestern Pennsylvania are cohosting a rally and press conference outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Join transit riders and workers, County Executive Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh Regional Transit CEO Katherine Kelleman, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Allegheny County Pennsylvania state delegation to show that we are united in the fight for state funding, for the transit service we deserve!

Riders can learn more about the proposed cuts and PRT’s Public Comment Period here

Read what the Candidates running to be PGH’s next Mayor & City Council Representatives have to say about public transit. Take our #VoteTransit Pledge to commit to electing Transit Champion!

With Election Day around the corner on May 20th, city residents will have the chance to choose who should be Pittsburgh’s next Mayor & City Council representatives. We at Pittsburghers for Public Transit know that there is a lot that City and municipal leaders can do to improve access to public transit – from improving sidewalks, to building bus shelters, to creating land use and employee policy that support transit access – even though the Mayor & City Council don’t have direct control over the transit agency itself.

This year, we put together our #VoteTransit 25/25/25 Goal for candidates running to lead our city–and we want them to commit!

Pittsburghers for Public Transit held a Mayoral Forum on April 9th (which was attended by all candidates except Corey O’Connor).

We also issued a short two-question #VoteTransit Candidate Questionnaire to every candidate running in the races for Pittsburgh Mayor and City Council. In the Mayoral race, responses were submitted by Democrats Mayor Ed Gainey and Cory O’Connor, and Republican Thomas West. In the Pittsburgh City Council races, responses were submitted by Councilperson Erika Strassburger, who’s running to continue representing District 8.

Read on to learn what each candidate said about our goal to build more bus shelters, better sidewalks, and more deeply affordable housing near great transit. And join more than 2,000 people who’ve taken the #VoteTransit pledge to vote for *Transit Champions* on Election Day! How can you get ready for Election day? Check your polling place here! and pledge to #VoteTransit below!

Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) Calls on Pittsburgh Mayoral and City Council Candidates to Adopt PPT’s 25/25/25 Goals and Develop a Plan for Implementation 

The Transit 25/25/25 Goals around sidewalks, bus shelters, and affordable, higher-density housing by our best transit assets are continuations of the equitable infrastructure campaign work that members of Pittsburghers for Public Transit have been leading for the last several years. 

Pittsburgh’s lack of connected, accessible and maintained sidewalks often creates access and safety barriers to transit for disabled riders and families. Improving the conditions of our sidewalks was named as one of the top priorities for residents during the transition planning process for Mayor Gainey’s administration in 2021.

Pittsburgh is also nationally notable for how few bus shelters are installed at bus stops, which forces riders to be exposed to the elements and make them less visible and less safe while waiting for the bus. The responsibility for bus shelters falls exclusively on the City of Pittsburgh within its jurisdiction, not on Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and there is a backlog of over 230 stops within the City that have ridership high enough to justify a shelter that are currently unprotected.

Finally, the Pittsburgh affordable housing crisis has displaced thousands of residents far from the City into County municipalities with low access to jobs, critical amenities, and transit. This affordable housing crisis has particularly affected Black and brown families and transit riders; it is imperative that our City has a holistic policy and funding solution to ensure that more low-income riders can live by the transportation assets that they rely on.

Pittsburghers for Public Transit has long elevated the role of Pittsburgh’s Mayor and City Council leaders in improving – or impeding – access to quality transit. 

In 2021 PPT published the Pittsburgh 100 Day Transit Platform in collaboration with dozens of residents and organizations that have strong insights into what is needed to ensure Pittsburgh’s transportation network is effective, safe, and accessible to all. This platform laid out four broad mobility goals for the City, and several specific policy demands to achieve a more effective, equitable mobility network that works for all residents. 

In 2022, we followed up with our Representing our Routes report, which laid out the quality and reliability of transit service, the demographics of ridership, and the number of bus shelters in each City Council district. In this report, we also detailed the direct and advocacy roles that Pittsburgh City Council members can and must play in improving transit service and infrastructure.

Finally, in 2024 we organized and won the first City budget line item for transit amenities, ensuring that there were resources to begin to close the gaps on the 230+ bus stops that have ridership that is high enough to warrant a shelter, but in which no shelter has been installed. It is long overdue for the City to put attention and resources towards this need, and there must be a process to continue and grow this work.

What power do the City of Pittsburgh’s elected leaders have to improve public transit access?

The Mayor & City Council can improve transit access through their power to shape;

• Policies around Land Use, Zoning, and Affordable Housing Development
• Infrastructure Projects like sidewalks, bus shelters, and bus lanes
• City Department staffing and employee policy
• City Budgets

World-class cities like Pittsburgh should strive for excellence, provide better opportunities for citizens, and afford residents the freedom to improve their lives. Affordable, accessible, quality public transit is central to achieving these goals.

Although many believe that transit is exclusively within the purview of the Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and is governed solely by our county and state legislators, the power of local governments to bring big improvements for transit riders should not be underestimated. Elevating public transit requires that Pittsburgh elected officials invest in sidewalks, bus shelters, and safe street infrastructure like crosswalks and curb cuts, and that we plan for development that supports more affordable housing and critical amenities by quality transit.

Mass transit provides freedom of movement to those with the least amount of access. Recent Census numbers tell us that 23% of Pittsburgh households do not have access to a private vehicle. They also show that 50,000 Pittsburghers – more than 17% of our City’s population – use public transit to commute to work every day. Add students, the unemployed, and other noncommuters, and the actual number of transit riders is much higher. 

The City of Pittsburgh Council and the Mayor’s office are responsible for many of the critical land use policies, infrastructure investments, and staffing decisions that can make public transit safe and effective. This is done in part through the City’s zoning and planning laws, which set the rules for how our City is developed. For instance, zoning rules define whether low-income residents can find affordable housing by great transit assets like the East Busway and the T, and high-frequency routes like the 16, 51, 61s, 86, 87, 71s, 91, and more.

The City is also responsible for the built environment and sidewalk infrastructure that allows all transit riders, regardless of self-mobility concerns, to safely and comfortably get to and from bus stops. From bus shelters to street lighting, ADA-compliant sidewalks, curb cuts, and crosswalks, the ability to access transit is almost entirely dependent on decisions made by our City. Decisions to paint bus-only lanes and to install traffic signals that turn green for buses ensure that transit is reliable and timely, and ensure that we are prioritizing 40-passenger vehicles over single cars on our roads.

The Mayor and City Council also propose and approve operating budgets and appoints Department heads to manage City staff time that can ensure the prioritization and implementation of these types of transit infrastructure improvements.

You can join Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) call on Pittsburgh Mayoral and City Council Candidates to adopt PPT’s 25/25/25 Goals by pledging to #VoteTransit on May 20, 2025:

Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s #VoteTransit Mayoral Candidate Forum and “Transit 25/25/25 Goal” for all candidates running to be our municipal leaders.

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There is a lot that the city can do to improve access to public transit – from sidewalks, to bus stops, to housing policy – and this year, 4 candidates are running to be our next Mayor. Join transit advocates from across the city to learn these candidates’ plans for transit if they are elected to office. Pittsburghers for Public Transit has issued the Transit 25/25/25 Goal for candidates in this year’s city race. Now it’s time to learn whether candidates adopt it and seriously consider their role in improving our transit access.

Join PPT’s #VoteTransit Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidate Forum
April 9, 7-8:30pm
4836 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) Calls on Pittsburgh Mayoral and City Council Candidates to Adopt PPT’s 25/25/25 Goals and Develop a Plan for Implementation 

The Transit 25/25/25 Goals around sidewalks, bus shelters, and affordable, higher-density housing by our best transit assets are continuations of the equitable infrastructure campaign work that members of Pittsburghers for Public Transit have been leading for the last several years. 

Pittsburgh’s lack of connected, accessible and maintained sidewalks often creates access and safety barriers to transit for disabled riders and families. Improving the conditions of our sidewalks was named as one of the top priorities for residents during the transition planning process for Mayor Gainey’s administration in 2021.

Pittsburgh is also nationally notable for how few bus shelters are installed at bus stops, which forces riders to be exposed to the elements and make them less visible and less safe while waiting for the bus. The responsibility for bus shelters falls exclusively on the City of Pittsburgh within its jurisdiction, not on Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and there is a backlog of over 230 stops within the City that have ridership high enough to justify a shelter that are currently unprotected.

Finally, the Pittsburgh affordable housing crisis has displaced thousands of residents far from the City into County municipalities with low access to jobs, critical amenities, and transit. This affordable housing crisis has particularly affected Black and brown families and transit riders; it is imperative that our City has a holistic policy and funding solution to ensure that more low-income riders can live by the transportation assets that they rely on.

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La ciudad puede hacer mucho para mejorar el acceso al transporte público, desde aceras y paradas de autobús hasta políticas de vivienda. Este año, cuatro candidatos se postulan para ser nuestro próximo alcalde. Únase a los defensores del transporte público de toda la ciudad para conocer los planes de estos candidatos si son elegidos.

Todos están invitados a unirse a PPT para este Foro de la Alcaldía, que organizamos durante nuestra Asamblea General Mensual. Aprovechamos nuestras reuniones mensuales para informar sobre las campañas actuales, debatir estrategias y tácticas, capacitar en nuevas habilidades y construir comunidad. La reunión de este mes será híbrida. Únase a nosotros en persona en 4836 Ellsworth Ave o en línea a través de Zoom.

6pm-7pm Hora para socializar // 7pm-8:3pm Foro de candidates.

Get your tickets today! Join riders and workers from across the US at the National Transit Advocacy Spring Training, April 25th and 26th in Pittsburgh, PA!

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Get ready for the 2025 National Transit Advocacy Spring Training! Riders, workers and transit supporters from across the country will meet in Pittsburgh, PA April 25th and 26th and YOU are invited!

Transit can transform our communities – but it is up to us as organizers to build the grassroots movement to make it happen!

This April, you are invited to join Pittsburghers for Public Transit and advocates from across the City, County State, and Nation at our second annual National Transit Advocacy Spring Training. We will have workshops on telling a compelling transit story to elected leaders and using it to win your demands; transit worker organizing and building common cause with riders; taking transit service demands into a state funding fight; galvanizing municipal elected officials to support transit riders with land use and infrastructure demands… and more! This organizing training day will have workshops led by local advocates and advocates outside of Pittsburgh, and will have topics relevant to transit organizers at all levels and all regions.

We will host a pre-training day Transit Tour and happy hour on Fri, April 25th, and then have a morning plenary, workshops and a mobile tour throughout the day Saturday April 26th. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for Friday evening’s Transit Tour. A bus pass will be provided for your adventure with us! You do NOT need to attend the Transit Tour to join us at happy hour, where you’ll enjoy a complimentary beverage and hors d’oeuvres. On Saturday you can expect continental breakfast, hot lunches and afternoon snacks.

Last day to register for Spring Training is Friday 4/18/25.

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Presenter Bios!

Apply Today! PPT’s New Organizing Fellowship Will Train More Transit Advocates in the Mon Valley

No matter what place you call home, everyone in Allegheny County deserves safe, accessible, affordable, and reliable public transportation. However, a lack of investment in our public transit, environmental crises, increases in the costs of housing, and social inequity have led to many of our friends, families, and neighbors struggling to get to the places they want to go and disconnecting our communities rather than bringing them together. 

But we can take action to reverse it. That is why Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) will launch a paid fellowship program for transit riders who live in communities located in the Mon Valley during Spring 2024. Participants will explore public transit access, infrastructure, financial barriers, and equitable development. Examples of these topics include; the opportunities and need for more bus shelters and safe, accessible sidewalks to transit, improved service through Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT’s) Bus Line redesign process, winning and enrolling Mon Valley residents into Allegheny Go, and the zoning/land use relationship connecting access to housing and quality transit. 

Fellows will receive compensation for participating in the program for three hours per week for ten weeks until completion in June 2025, with a special invitation to Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s Spring Training event on April 26, 2025.

The fellowship will consist of weekly modules based on current PPT transit justice campaigns, within classroom learning and field work. The fellowship will begin in late March 2025 and end in early June 2025. 

Timeline Overview of the Mon Valley Organizing Fellowship

• April 6th – application deadline
• March 10th – fellows are confirmed
• April 14th – class week 1
• April 21st – class week 2
• April 25th & 26th National Transit Advocacy Spring Training!
• April 28th – class week 3
• May 5th – class week 4
• May 12th – class week 5
• May 19th – class week 6
• May 26th – class week 7
• June 2nd – class week 8
• June 3th – June 22nd – Meetings with elected officials
• June 23rd – Graduation Party : )

Do you live in the Mon Valley and want to improve public transit for your community? Apply today by sending your resume and answers to the following questions to cheryl@pittsburghforpublictransit.org

To apply to the Mon Valley Transit Organizing fellowship, send answers to the following questions to cheryl@pittsburghforpublictransit.org. You can include a resume if you have one!

1. Phone number
2. Email
3. Address
4. Why is organizing for public transit important to you?
5. How do you understand the connection between public transit and racial, economic, disability, and environmental justice? 
6. Can you tell us about any past experiences, jobs, volunteer work, or leadership opportunities that have prepared you for this opportunity?
7. What are you looking to accomplish through your participation with PPT’s Mon Valley Organizing Fellowship?

We’re Ready for a Budget that Moves Us! On February 4th, Rosa Parks’ birth date, we’re calling on Governor Shapiro to lay out a funding plan for the transit we deserve.

Thank you Governor Shapiro for hearing our call to flex funding and save SEPTA. Now it’s time for you to put transit first, and negotiate a dedicated, sustainable transit funding solution for all Pennsylvanians in 2025.

Whether you’re from State College or Scranton, Philly or Erie, every Pennsylvanian deserves transportation access to opportunity. Organize with us on Rosa Parks’ birth date and Transit Equity Day to win public transit in every corner of our state.

This February 4th, 2025 is the annual Transit Equity Day, which is celebrated on civil rights leader Rosa Parks’ birth date. Transit Equity Day recognizes transit as a human right, central to the movements for racial justice, economic justice, disability justice and climate justice. This year, it falls on the same date as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget address, in which he will lay out his funding priorities for the FY 2026 Budget. 

We’re ready for a state budget that moves us. On Rosa Parks’ birth date and Transit Equity Day, transit riders and workers across Pennsylvania are calling on Governor Josh Shapiro to announce his plan to win dedicated, expanded funding for public transit in his annual budget address. 

There are THREE things you can do to organize with us for transit that moves all Pennsylvanians:

• First, send a letter to Governor Shapiro, to show him how important transit is to constituents all across the Commonwealth, and that there we’re ready to support him in winning funding for the service we deserve! >>Send your letter here & share it with your community
• Second, we want to make it clear that transit makes our economy work!  Take a photo of yourself holding a sign to share with us and on social media! >>Here’s instructions for how to join the photo campaign
• Finally, register to join our TRANSIT M♥VES US WATCH PARTY of Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address We’ll have in-person coffee and donuts in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and have a livestream up for folks to join from home! Let’s show the state legislature that we’re paying attention and are ready for the transit funding fight this Spring! >>RSVP today and invite your folks!

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How to take part in the TRANSIT M♥VES ME photo campaign to tell Gov. Shapiro transit must be a top priority!

Guidance for taking photos:

• Write the sign in Sharpie or print from a digital doc
• Sign should be horizontal
• Font should be large and cover the entire page
• Message is: I am a ____________ [insert job title] and transit moves me <3 
• Hold it high: under your face
• Photo should be taken in portrait orientation/vertically
• Don’t take a back lit photo: Make sure the light source in the room is shining on you and the sign
• If possible, have someone else take the photo so that nothing is left out of the frame
• Take a couple photos so you can decide which one you like best and don’t forget to smile! 🙂

Once you have your photo:

• Send your photo to Connor at connor@transitforallpa.org with a sentence or two about why you’re taking action!
• Post it to social media with the following message:
  I am an essential worker and transit moves me!
  Hey @governorshapiro! Please include transit as a top priority in your budget address on Feb 4th.
  🚨 Take action with me and the @TransitPA campaign here: https://www.transitforallpa.org/tell-gov-shapiro-transit-moves-us/
  #transitequityday

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RSVP to the watch party! All Eyes on Governor Shapiro to include transit as top priority in his 2025-26 Budget Address!

Join us as we call on Governor Shapiro to put transit at the top of his agenda for this Spring’s budget negotiations and hear his plans for funding the service we deserve on Transit Equity Day.

We will hold a watch party with coffee and donuts in Pittsburgh and in Philadelphia during this budget, with locations TBD. Register here to join the in-person fun, or get the link to join the watch party from the warmth of your own home!

New Commute Calculator tool From Our Research Committee Helps Riders See How Trips Will Be Impacted by Draft 1.0 of the Bus Line Redesign

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is proposing a significant Bus Line Redesign that could dramatically change how transit riders travel across the County. We think it’s very important that transit riders have the ability to assess how the Bus Line Redesign (BLR) will impact our commute times. PRT does not provide a way to compare travel times under the current bus network to the proposed BLR Draft 1.0, although we at PPT believe that this is invaluable information for riders to consider.

Since BLR is still a draft, we urge transit riders and supporters to see how the BLR Draft 1.0 will impact your commutes and tell us about any changes that you see. Also give public comment to Pittsburgh Regional Transit before the deadline at the end of the month!

PPT’s Research Committee used our tool to model 21 example transit trips in Allegheny County to and from important neighborhoods and destinations to compare travel times: 19 of those 21 trips would take longer under the BLR Draft 1.0 than they do today under our current network, which is very concerning. Many of these trips are longer because they would require more transfers under the new proposal. You can see the math behind these example commute calculations here.

CLICK HERE TO JUMP to the 21 example commute trips!

USE OUR ADVOCATE COMMUTE TOOL: Compare how your current commute is impacted by Draft 1.0 of the Bus Line Redesign Proposal

People care how long their trip will take. It’s unfortunate that Pittsburgh Regional Transit doesn’t provide a way to measure how your commute time will change under their bus network proposal. Luckily, our Research Committee created a tool to let people do just that.

To make a commute time comparison between an existing PRT transit trip and the proposed Bus Line Redesign transit trip, follow these instructions: 

1. Identify Your Route: Choose the starting point (e.g., your neighborhood intersection) and destination (e.g., an intersection, a key location like a workplace, hospital, grocery store, or transit hub).
2. Enter it in Google Maps: Input the starting point and destination in Google Maps and adjust the route’s path according to the actual route and turns that the current bus takes. It is IMPORTANT to map your current route using the “driving” function of Google Maps (NOT the “transit” function!), in order to have an apples to apples comparison of the current route(s) against the proposed Bus Line Redesign route(s).  This is suggested because travel times for the proposed routes are not yet available.  It should be noted that actual transit travel times will likely be longer.
3. Record Travel Details using Current Routes: Note the total travel time, number of transfers, and any walking required.
   1. Walking times from your origin to the bus stop, from the bus stop to your destination, or between buses related to a transfer can be assessed using the Google Maps “walking” function. 
   2. For all transfers you need to add a transfer time “penalty” that is equal to half of the frequency of the second or connecting route. So for instance, if you must make a transfer and the bus you are transferring onto comes once every 30 minutes, you should add a 15 minute transfer penalty to your total commute time.  This penalty represents the average wait time related to the transfer. 
4. Repeat for Proposed Routes: Find routing information for proposed routes here: Bus Line Redesign | Engage PRT

Adjust your Google Maps input to reflect the new proposed route and again use the car or driving option, not the transit option to calculate times for the proposed trip.  Using the driving option for both the current and proposed trip will ensure a fair comparison.

5. Compare: Copy a table or create a table with columns for the current and proposed routes, listing travel time, transfers, and walking distance. Highlight any key differences.
   1. Link to the table to view
   2. Link to the table to copy (must have a Google Account)

For example, if you wanted to look into a trip between 

1. 4th St. & Braddock Ave. (Apartments) to Walmart Supercenter, using the 59
2. Enter it into Google Maps, using “driving” mode
3. Record travel details – this route is a 20 minute “drive”
4. Repeat with the proposed route

1. Find the new route under Draft Network 1.0 – Find My Route
   1. The 59 Mon Valley is being split into several different routes. At this stretch, it is the N68 and N63.
2. Enter each part of the new route into Google Maps, using “driving” mode

Proposed Route N68:

Proposed Route N63:

3. Adding the two bus trips together gives a total bus travel time of 18 minutes. However, the new N63 will only have service every 60 minutes–so the transfer penalty will be 30 minutes. In total, the new travel time will be approximately 48 minutes.
4. Fill in the chart with the information for your current route (on the left) and your new route (on the right) under the BLR proposal:

In this way, you are able to calculate the impact of the proposed changes in the BLR Draft 1.0 for yourself. It is important to remember that this does not have to be perfect. And if you need any help in doing this at any time, feel free to reach out to PPT and we will be glad to figure it out with you!

PPT’s Research Committee modeled Draft 1.0 of the Bus Line Redesign impacts on 21 different trips. Here’s the results:

1. Hill District (Centre+Kirkpatrick) to Waterworks (Giant Eagle) – Travel Time Would be Shorter Under BLR Proposal
2. Children’s Hospital (Penn+44th) to Shadyside (Fifth Avenue+S Highland) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal
3. Lower Lawrenceville (Penn+Butler) to South Side (S 18th+Sarah) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal
4. Trafford (5th+Brinton) to Monroeville (Forbes Hospital) – Travel Time Would be Much Longer Under the BLR Proposal
5. Beltzhoover (Gearing+Chalfont) to Shadyside Hospital (Centre+Cypress) – Travel Time Would Be Similar Under the BLR Proposal with Additional Walking
6. Squirrel Hill (Forbes+Murray) to Robinson Town Center (IKEA) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal
7. Homewood (N Homewood+Frankstown) to Squirrel Hill (Allderdice High School) – Travel Time Would be Much Longer Under the BLR Proposal
8. Kennedy (Pleasant Ridge) to Lawrenceville (Butler+46th) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal
9. Natrona Heights (Freeport+Spring Hill) to Downtown (LIberty+Smithfield) – Travel Time Would be Significantly Longer Under the BLR Proposal
10. Carnegie Mellon University (Forbes+Morewood) to CCAC Boyce Campus – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal
11. West View (Center+Harvard) to California Kirkbride District (Post Office) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal
12. Shadyside (Giant Eagle Market District) to Blackridge (Laketon+Graham) – Travel Time Would be Much Longer Under the BLR Proposal
13. Bridgeville (Bank+Lesnett) to South Side (E Carson+S 18th) – Travel Time Would be Much Longer Under the BLR Proposal
14. Marshall Shadeland District (Brighton+Marshall) to North Hills (Passavant Hospital) – Travel Time Would be Slightly Longer under BLR Proposal
15. Fairywood (Broadhead Fording+W Prospect) to VA Hospital (O’Hara Township) – Travel Time Would be Longer and More Complex Under BLR Proposal
16. Hazelwood (Second+Johnston) to Penn State McKeesport – Travel Time Would be Significantly Longer and More Complex under BLR Proposal
17. Glen Hazel (Broadview+Johnston) to Greenfield (Giant Eagle) – Travel Time Would be Longer under BLR Proposal
18. Edgewood Town Center (Giant Eagle) to Wilkinsburg (Montier+Laketon) – Travel Time Would Be Similar Under the BLR Proposal
19. Morningside (Jancey+Greenwood) to North Side (Allegheny General Hospital) – Travel Time Would be Longer under BLR Proposal
20. Brookline (Chelton+Freedom) to Propel Braddock Hills High School – Travel Time Would be Shorter Under BLR Proposal
21. Stanton Heights (Stanton+Hawthorne) to Bloomfield (West Penn Hospital) – Travel Time Would be Longer under BLR Proposal

Hill District (Centre+Kirkpatrick) to Waterworks (Giant Eagle) – Travel Time Would be Shorter Under BLR Proposal

Current route: 48 minutes | Proposed route: 40 minutes (8-minute improvement) Current Route: (82, 1) | Proposed Route: (D81) 

Good news! Traveling from Centre & Kirkpatrick to Waterworks Giant Eagle would be slightly faster. The new route eliminates one transfer at Liberty+7th (Downtown), making your journey more straightforward.

Children’s Hospital (Penn+44th) to Shadyside (Fifth Avenue+S Highland) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal 

Current route: 12 minutes | Proposed routes: 25 or 38 minutes (potential increase of 13-26 minutes). 

Current Route: (64) | Proposed Routes: (N94, D73) 

Caution! This route becomes more complicated. You’ll now need to walk more (from the Hospital to Liberty+Bloomfield Bridge) and make a transfer at Fifth+Shady which could significantly extend your travel time.  You could walk from Fifth+Shady to Fifth+ S Highland to save the transfer time.

Lower Lawrenceville (Penn+Butler) to South Side (S 18th+Sarah) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal 

Current route: 23 minutes | Proposed routes: 30 or 52 minutes. 

Current Route: (54) | Proposed Routes: (O99, O47) or (D88, D51) 

Significant variations here! One proposed route will have a 7-minute increase, while another adds nearly 30 minutes to your journey. Expect more walking and transfers at Fifth+Atwood (Oakland) or Smithfield+Fifth (Downtown) in both proposed scenarios.

Trafford (5th+Brinton) to Monroeville (Forbes Hospital) – Travel Time Would be Much Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 11 minutes | Proposed route: 88 minutes (an extraordinary 77-minute increase). 

Current Route: (69) | Proposed Route: (N65, N63) 

Major Concern! This route sees a dramatic change. The new route involves a walk from Trafford to Haymaker Village and a transfer at North Versailles Walmart.  The required and significant walking (due to the removal of bus service in Trafford) will turn a quick trip into a lengthy journey.

Beltzhoover (Gearing+Chalfont) to Shadyside Hospital (Centre+Cypress) – Travel Time Would Be Similar Under the BLR Proposal with Additional Walking

Current route: 46 minutes | Proposed routes: 49 or 52 minutes. 

Current Routes: (44, 82) | Proposed Routes: (N84, D82) or (RED, D82) 

While only slightly longer overall, there is significant additional walking.  You will still have one transfer.

Squirrel Hill (Forbes+Murray) to Robinson Town Center (IKEA) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 61 minutes | Proposed routes: 78 or 85 minutes (an increase of 17-24 minutes). 

Current Routes: (61C, 28X) | Proposed Routes: (X50, D29) or (X50, D25) 

Longer journey ahead! The new routes involve a Downtown transfer and slightly longer walking distances, potentially making your commute longer and less convenient.

Homewood (N Homewood+Frankstown) to Squirrel Hill (Allderdice High School) – Travel Time Would be Much Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 16 minutes | Proposed route: 49 minutes (33-minute increase). 

Current Route: (74) | Proposed Routes: (N92, N94) 

Significant time increase! The new route requires a transfer at Penn+Shady which will add more walking, and substantially more time to reach your destination.

Kennedy (Pleasant Ridge) to Lawrenceville (Butler+46th) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 47 minutes | Proposed routes: 57 or 66 minutes (10-19 minute increase). 

Current Routes: (22, 91) | Proposed Routes: (N22, GREEN, D91) or (N22, D21, D91)

Longer journey ahead! The new routes involve more walking, an additional transfer and more complex navigation.

Natrona Heights (Freeport+Spring Hill) to Downtown (LIberty+Smithfield) – Travel Time Would be Significantly Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 54 minutes | Proposed routes: 89 or 104 minutes (an extraordinary 35-50 minute increase). 

Current Route: (P10) | Proposed Routes: (N1, PURPLE) or (N1, D5) 

Major Time Increase! Riders will now face a transfer either at East Liberty Station or Harmar Garage, significantly longer travel times, and more complicated routes.

Carnegie Mellon University (Forbes+Morewood) to CCAC Boyce Campus – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 50 minutes | Proposed routes: 65 minutes (15-minute increase)

Current Route: (67) | Proposed Routes: (D70, N72) or (D70, N77) 

Travel Times Will Increase. The route requires a transfer at Wilkinsburg Station and walking, with both possible options taking roughly the same time.

West View (Center+Harvard) to California Kirkbride District (Post Office) – Travel Time Would be Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 17 minutes | Proposed route: 33 minutes (nearly doubled travel time). 

Current Route: (13) | Proposed Route: (N17, D16) 

Significant Time Increase! The new route introduces a transfer at Lincoln+Balph and additional walking.

Shadyside (Giant Eagle Market District) to Blackridge (Laketon+Graham) – Travel Time Would be Much Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 19 minutes | Proposed route: 52 minutes (33-minute increase).

Current Route: (P78) | Proposed Route: (PURPLE, N77) 

Major Time Increase! Transfer at Wilkinsburg Station will substantially increase travel time.

Bridgeville (Bank+Lesnett) to South Side (E Carson+S 18th) – Travel Time Would be Much Longer Under the BLR Proposal

Current route: 43 minutes | Proposed route: 63 minutes (20-minute increase). 

Current Routes: (41, 51) | Proposed Route: (N33, GREEN, D51) 

Significant commute time Increase! There will be an additional transfer, one at Carnegie Station and the second at Sixth+Wood complicating what was previously a more direct journey.

Marshall Shadeland District (Brighton+Marshall) to North Hills (Passavant Hospital) – Travel Time Would be Slightly Longer under BLR Proposal

Current route: 68 minutes | Proposed route: 74 minutes (6-minute increase). 

Current Routes: (16, 12) | Proposed Route: (D16, D2) 

Small Increase in Commute Time. There would be a change to the commute time in this scenario, and a change in the transfer location. 

Fairywood (Broadhead Fording+W Prospect) to VA Hospital (O’Hara Township) – Travel Time Would be Longer and More Complex Under BLR Proposal

Current route: 81 minutes | Proposed routes: 96 or 98 minutes (15-17 minute increase). 

Current Routes: (27, 91) | Proposed Routes: (N22, GREEN, D5, N92) or (N22, GREEN, PURPLE, N92) 

Longer Journey. Requires two additional transfers (or four buses), increased walking, and more complex routing.

Hazelwood (Second+Johnston) to Penn State McKeesport – Travel Time Would be Significantly Longer and More Complex under BLR Proposal

Current route: 23 minutes | Proposed route: 65 minutes (42-minute increase).

Current Route: (56) | Proposed Route: (D52, X50, N56) 

Significant Time Increase! This would be a substantially longer trip with two transfers, one at E 8th+Ann (Homestead) and the other at Lysle+Evans (McKeesport).

Glen Hazel (Broadview+Johnston) to Greenfield (Giant Eagle) – Travel Time Would be Longer under BLR Proposal

Current route: 10 minutes | Proposed routes: 13 or 36 minutes (slight to significant increase). 

Current Route: (93) | Proposed Routes: (O53, D44) or (O53, X50) 

Mixed Results: One proposed route requires a transfer at Browns Hill+Imogene (with the need to cross busy Browns Hill Road), while the other adds substantial time requiring a transfer at Hazelwood+Osprey.

Edgewood Town Center (Giant Eagle) to Wilkinsburg (Montier+Laketon) – Travel Time Would Be Similar Under the BLR Proposal

Current and Proposed route: 41 minutes. 

Current Routes: (71, 79) | Proposed Route: (X61, X60, N79) 

No additional time, but an additional transfer.  Despite additional walking and two transfers, one at Forbes+S Braddock (Frick Park) and the other at Penn+Center (Wilkinsburg), the overall travel time remains the same.

Morningside (Jancey+Greenwood) to North Side (Allegheny General Hospital) – Travel Time Would be Longer under BLR Proposal

Current route: 40 minutes | Proposed routes: 49 or 53 minutes (9-13 minute increase). 

Current Routes: (87, 54) | Proposed Routes: (D96, D5) or (D96, D12) 

Longer Trip Ahead!  This commute becomes more complex and longer with additional walking and new transfer locations depending on the chosen option, one at Freeport+Western (Aspinwall) or the other at Liberty+7th (Downtown).

Brookline (Chelton+Freedom) to Propel Braddock Hills High School – Travel Time Would be Shorter Under BLR Proposal

Current route: 81 minutes | Proposed route: 75 minutes (6-minute decrease). 

Current Routes: (39, P68) | Proposed Route: (D39, D64) 

Slight commute time improvement. An instance of travel time becoming shorter, but there would be increased walking time.

Stanton Heights (Stanton+Hawthorne) to Bloomfield (West Penn Hospital) – Travel Time Would be Longer under BLR Proposal

Current route: 12 minutes | Proposed routes: 29 or 32 minutes (17-20 minute increase). 

Current Route: (87) | Proposed Routes: (D87, D88) or (D87, N79) 

Significant Time Increase! A transfer would be required either at Penn+Negley or at N Negley+East Liberty Boulevard and additional walking will increase travel time.

Our conclusion? Riders have reason to be concerned.

In the 21 examples the proposed Bus Line Redesign Draft 1.0 predominantly increases travel times, introduces more transfers, and requires additional walking. Under Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Bus Line Redesign (BLR) Draft 1.0, many riders could expect to have longer, more complicated commutes. We recommend reviewing specific changes to the routes you ride to understand how your daily travel might be impacted. We highly encourage leaving a comment on the Bus Line Design website Bus Line Redesign | Engage PRT or by calling PRT’s Customer Service Line at (412) 442-2000 or by sending an email at BusLineRedesign@RidePRT.org to ensure that your feedback is heard by PRT.