We Want Transit for All PA! 🚌❤️✊ Rally & Lobby Day

image description: graphic has a photo of Transit for All PA! advocates at a rally holding signs. Text reads “Harrisburg Rally & Lobby Day June 4th! Stand up for transit!

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 Our Board! Nominations Are Open for PPT’s 2025 Board Elections

Image Description: PPT Member Lorita Gillespie speaks at a rally to stop the cuts to the 61s and 71s.

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.

Save Our Service! Rally to Win the Transit Funding We Need

image description: graphic has group of transit activists holding “Transit for All PA!” signs with fists up and text atht says “Save our Service! Rally for transit funding to serve our communities April 29 1:30-2:30 955 Penn Ave, 15222”

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

How Will Pittsburgh’s Mayor & City Council Candidates Improve Transit Access?

Image description: Graphic has a bus outline with the text #VoteTransit Candidate Responses” with color photos of candidates who responded to our candidate survey and black & white photos for those who did not respond.

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’s Transit 25/25/25 Goals:

Mayoral and City Council candidates must pledge to:

  • Close 25% of the City’s Sidewalk Network Gaps 
  • Install 25 New Bus Shelters Per Year
  • Ensure 25% of the New Housing Units Built Near Our Best Transit Assets are Deeply Affordable 

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!

#VoteTransit Questionnaire Responses from Democratic candidates for Mayor of Pittsburgh:

1. Do you agree with the #VoteTransit 25/25/25 Goals? If not, what targets would you set as Mayor in this coming term around sidewalk network gap closure, new bus shelter deployment, and the development of more units of affordable housing by the busways, T and our frequent service corridors?

Mayor Ed Gainey

I agree with these goals. From the beginning of my administration, I have stood with transit riders, bike/ped advocates, and everyone in our community who has a vision of how to make equitable mobility a reality in our city. These goals are a powerful next step that have been created by people directly impacted by these issues and I look forward to working with you to implement them.

Corey O’Connor

Yes, I agree with the goals above. Closing sidewalk gaps, adding additional bus shelters, and building more deeply affordable housing near transit would all work together to make our city a safer, more accessible, and more pleasant place to live.

2. For the targets that you are proposing, what are your specific plans to fund and implement the sidewalk network gap closure, install the new bus shelters per year, and ensure housing by transit is affordable? What are the obstacles that you see in meeting your goals, and how would you overcome them?

Mayor Ed Gainey

Sidewalks: When it comes to sidewalks in our city, we have an archaic system that places responsibility for sidewalk maintenance with the property owner. This means that property owners in wealthier communities are better able to keep their sidewalks in good repair than people in lower-income communities. My administration has begun to
address this issue with a pilot program that uses city resources to replace large sections of sidewalk – which is more cost effective than having a single property owner replace their own sidewalk – then bills that back to the property owner at cost, and on a payment plan as needed. Not only is it less expensive for the property owner, it allows
large sections of sidewalk gap to be repaired at once and increases equitable access to ccessible sidewalks.

Because of this system, as well as the City’s funding constraints over the next two years, closing 25% of the sidewalk network gap will require creativity, persistence, and partnership. Cities like Denver, with its sidewalk fee, are coming up with innovative ways to repair sidewalks and fill gaps. I’d like to work with Pittsburghers for Public Transit, the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, and City Council to consider solutions to come up with the revenue necessary to close this gap over the next four years.

Bus shelters: One way to potentially identify the revenue necessary to create 25 new shelters per year would be for the city to take over shelters from Gateway and start bringing in that ad revenue ourselves – then using that to install more shelters.

Affordable Housing: We can only achieve the goal of 25% of new units near our best transit assets being deeply affordable if we create deep partnerships between the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Housing Authority, and our other affordable housing partners. My administration has modeled how this is possible by creating and
preserving 2,000 units of affordable housing in our first term and beginning a process to reshape the Housing Authority. My administration also has bills currently before the Planning Commission and City Council both for transit-oriented development as well as Inclusionary Zoning, which would require that 10% of all housing built in our high-density zones, including transit corridors, be affordable. It’s proving to be a battle because many of our market-rate developers and their allies on City Council simply don’t want to participate in that – no matter how many tax breaks and density incentives we offer to let them build more and make more money. We’ll continue to move toward this goal using all our resources; from organizing ordinary Pittsburghers in every neighborhood to continuing to demonstrate the effectiveness of our affordable housing development. In a second term, I hope to partner with PPT to select a set of transit stations or neighborhoods with best-in-class transit to create flagship projects that demonstrate to the city what a transit-oriented future will look like.

Corey O’Connor

Meeting these ambitious goals will require a combination of local investment, state grants, and innovative funding mechanisms, as obtaining federal funds under the current administration will be challenging. For sidewalk gap closures, I’d prioritize city capital funds and public-private partnerships, focusing on high-traffic areas. A major obstacle will be private property owners’ reluctance to take on legal responsibility, as the city must sign agreements with each owner before making improvements. Bus shelter installations can be streamlined by working with transit agencies and leveraging private sponsorships or advertising revenue. To ensure affordable housing near transit, I support investing in site preparation, making permitting easier, and expanding financial incentives to accelerate construction. The key obstacles are funding constraints and bureaucratic delays, which I’d address through more efficient permitting processes and targeted investment strategies.

#VoteTransit Questionnaire Responses from Democratic candidates for Pittsburgh City Council:

1. Do you agree with the #VoteTransit 25/25/25 Goals? If not, what targets would you set as Mayor in this coming term around sidewalk network gap closure, new bus shelter deployment, and the development of more units of affordable housing by the busways, T and our frequent service corridors?

Erika Strassburger, PGH City Council District 8

I support PPT’s 25/25/25 goals. We need bold goals such as these to help Pittsburghers shift from a car-centric culture to one that prioritizes public transportation and last-mile modes such as biking, walking, and rolling. In some communities, the barriers are physical – dangerous sidewalks or no sidewalks, uncomfortable and unwelcoming bus shelters or bus stops with no shelter. In other communities, the barriers are more psychological – the amenities might exist, but the buses are perceived to be or are too unreliable or too infrequent to encourage easy use. Denser housing around transit corridors and stations would help drive the usage of those lines, and more affordable housing in these areas would go a long way to ensuring that all residents can live in neighborhoods with excellent amenities and that they can travel to work, school, or other neighborhoods with ease.

Kim Salinetro, Candidate for PGH City Council District 2

[Kim Salinetro did not respond to PPT’s #VoteTransit Candidate Questionnaire]

Anthony Coghill, PGH City Council District 4

[Anthony Coghill did not respond to PPT’s #VoteTransit Candidate Questionnaire]

2. For the targets that you are proposing, what are your specific plans to fund and implement the sidewalk network gap closure, install the new bus shelters per year, and ensure housing by transit is affordable? What are the obstacles that you see in meeting your goals, and how would you overcome them?

Erika Strassburger, City Council District 8

Funding is the largest barrier to reaching all three of these goals. First, any deal with our major five non-profits to receive non-taxable income should include a line item for sidewalks and bus shelters. Workers, students, and visitors to all five of our largest eds and meds institutions rely on public transportation, so their dollars would be going directly toward improving the accessibility of the people using their services. Second, the City could set up a special trust fund for sidewalks and bus shelters. The trust fund could be funded through several methods – advertising on city amenities, increased permit fees for various activities or events, or even a special voter referendum-approved tax. The trust fund would help ensure a constant stream of funding that remained separate from the general fund. This would allow the city to continue the work it has initiated to build and repair sidewalks on whole city blocks around City-owned property that is currently vacant or abandoned and not yet churning through our Land Bank.

Funding for the affordable housing near transit corridors is also an obstacle, but in a different way. As transit-oriented development zoning overlays are proposed and rolled out, affordability should be a requirement. That said, given the soaring cost of the development of housing units, housing is not likely to be built (with affordability) without some way to close the financing gaps. Whether the Housing Opportunity Fund can shift to create a line item for these transit-oriented development areas, or whether tax abatements such as LERTAs or TIFs might be the answer, there needs to be some way to provide a carrot along with the stick. Additionally, for deeply affordable units (30% AMI and below), there must be a partnership with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services to ensure the appropriate wrap-around services are available and are funded.

Kim Salinetro, Candidate for City Council District 2

[Kim Salinetro did not respond to PPT’s #VoteTransit Candidate Questionnaire]

Anthony Coghill, City Council District 4

[Anthony Coghill did not respond to PPT’s #VoteTransit Candidate Questionnaire]

Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s #VoteTransit Questionnaire, as answered by Republican candidates for Mayor of Pittsburgh

1. Do you agree with the #VoteTransit 25/25/25 Goals? If not, what targets would you set as Mayor in this coming term around sidewalk network gap closure, new bus shelter deployment, and the development of more units of affordable housing by the busways, T and our frequent service corridors?

Thomas West

I agree with the intent behind these goals — making Pittsburgh safer, more connected, and more affordable for working families — but I also believe in setting realistic, fiscally responsible targets that reflect our city’s current budget constraints and economic challenges.

  • Sidewalk Network Gaps: Sidewalks are not just about safety — they’re a fundamental part of our city’s infrastructure and directly impact quality of life. I support the goal of closing 25% of network gaps, but more importantly, I believe we must prioritize neighborhoods with the highest need first — particularly those with schools, senior populations, and high pedestrian traffic. These communities can’t afford to be left behind.
  • Bus Shelters: With PRT facing financial instability and possible service cuts, our first priority must be preserving access to reliable, functional transit. Once that stability is addressed, I would support a goal of installing up to 25 new shelters annually, but only if we can ensure each one is placed where it’s actually needed — not just to hit a number.
  • Affordable Housing Near Transit: I do not support mandates that dictate where or what type of housing must be built. I believe in incentivizing development and creating conditions where affordable housing can thrive organically — not through one-size-fits-all policies. We need to focus on neighborhood revitalization
    that drives private investment, job creation, and ultimately, homeownership — not just rental units stacked by transit stops.

Tony Moreno

[Tony Moreno did not respond to PPT’s #VoteTransit Candidate Questionnaire]

2. For the targets that you are proposing, what are your specific plans to fund and implement the sidewalk network gap closure, install the new bus shelters per year, and ensure housing by transit is affordable? What are the obstacles that you see in meeting your goals, and how would you overcome them?

Thomas West

  • Sidewalks: The City of Pittsburgh has mismanaged millions in taxpayer dollars over the years — it’s time to get back to the basics. As Mayor, I will audit current infrastructure spending and identify waste to reallocate funds to critical priorities like sidewalks. I will also pursue public-private partnerships and state/federal infrastructure grants — but every dollar must be accountable. No more throwing money at problems without a plan or a result.
  • Bus Shelters & Transit Support: With PRT facing a fiscal cliff, I will be a vocal advocate in Harrisburg and Washington. Philadelphia has a seat at the table — Pittsburgh needs one too. But while we fight for funding, we must also ensure that current transit dollars are used efficiently. Every shelter should be placed based on data — ridership, need, and accessibility — not political pressure. We must stop chasing headlines and start chasing results.
  • Affordable Housing: We don’t need more top-down mandates. What we need is economic opportunity in every corner of the city. That starts with cutting red tape for small businesses, investing in workforce development, and supporting local entrepreneurs. When you bring jobs into underserved neighborhoods, you create demand for housing — and that’s when developers step in. My goal is to create environments where affordable housing is a market-driven result of growth, not a politically dictated outcome.

Tony Moreno

[Tony Moreno did not respond to PPT’s #VoteTransit Candidate Questionnaire]

May 20 is Election Day! Make sure you’re registered to vote and take the #VoteTransit pledge to elect Transit Champions on Election Day!

#VoteTransit 25/25/25 Goal for Mayoral & City Council Candidates

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 

Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s Transit 25/25/25 Goals call on Mayoral and City Council candidates to:

  1. Close 25% of the City’s Sidewalk Network Gaps 
  2. Install 25 New Bus Shelters Per Year
  3. Ensure 25% of the New Housing Units Built Near Our Best Transit Assets are Deeply Affordable 

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:

#VoteTransit Mayoral Candidate Forum on April 9th

image description: Flyer for #VoteTransit Mayoral Candidate Forum, 4/9, 7-8:30p, 4836 Ellsworth Ave as photos of each of the 4 candidates & the PPT logo

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


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 

Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s Transit 25/25/25 Goals:

Mayoral and City Council candidates must pledge to:

  • Close 25% of the City’s Sidewalk Network Gaps 
  • Install 25 New Bus Shelters Per Year
  • Ensure 25% of the New Housing Units Built Near Our Best Transit Assets are Deeply Affordable 

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.


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.

National Transit Advocacy Spring Training

image description: text reads “National Transit Advocacy Spring Training, April 25-25, 2025 Pittsburgh, PA” with emojies of a raised fit, PPT’s icon, and a red heart. Photos of PPT members at rallies, parties, and canvass days.

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!

 

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.


Quick Look at Schedule and Locations

(See the full workshop details & presenter bios at the bottom of this page)

Friday, April 25th:
Transit Tour and Welcome Happy Hour
Aslin Beer Company

Saturday, April 26th
Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center
100 Lytton Ave., Pittsburgh PA, 15213

  • 8:00-9:00 AM // Check-in
  • 8:30-9:00 AM // Continental breakfast and Networking
  • 9:00-10:00 AM // Opening Plenary
  • 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM // Workshop Block 1, advocates choose from:
    • Developing Strong Transit Worker-Rider Alliances
    • Sharing Your Transit Story: Effectively Using Your Story to Mobilize
  • 12:00-1:00 PM // Lunch (provided with RSVP)
  • 1:00-2:30 PM // Workshop Block 2, advocates choose from:
    • Identifying Power in Your Personal Networks: Spidermapping
    • MI, MD and PA Case Studies: Statewide Funding Fights for the Transit Service we Deserve
    • Let’s go for a walk! (Mobile Workshop – space limited, pre-registration required)
  • 2:45 – 4:15 PM // Workshop Block 3, advocates choose from:
    • How to Facilitate Excellent Community Meetings and Navigate Conflict in the Moment
    • Campaigns 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Building a Winning Strategy
  • 4:15 – 4:30 PM // BREAK Refreshments and Snacks
  • 4:30 – 5:00 PM // Closing Statements and Farewell
  • 5:00 – 5:30 PM // Social Time

Logistics

Location Information

The Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center is located at 100 Lytton Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15213, in the amenity-rich Oakland neighborhood.

The hotel is very easily accessible from the airport via public transit. It is about a four-minute walk or roll from the Fifth Ave and Tennyson Ave PRT stop, which is serviced by the following routes:

  • 54 Northside-Oakland-Southside
  • 58 Greenfield
  • 61A North Braddock
  • 61B Braddock-Swissvale
  • 61C McKeesport-Homestead
  • 61D Murray
  • 67 Monroeville
  • 69 Trafford
  • 71A Negley
  • 71B Highland Park
  • 71C Point Breeze
  • 71D Hamilton
  • 75 Ellsworth
  • 81 Oak Hill
  • 83 Bedford Hill
  • 93 Lawrenceville-Hazelwood
  • P3 East Busway-Oakland

If any of these transportation modes are cost-prohibitive for you, contact PPT to discuss options, at 551-206-3320 or info@pittsburghforpublictransit.org by April 23, 2025.

Accessibility Information

The Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center has accessible onsite parking and an accessible main entrance. All meeting areas are accessible, and there are elevators throughout the building. More information about their accessibility features can be found on their web page.

Food and Drink:

At happy hour on Friday let PPT buy your first round! There will be hors d’oeuvres too! Food will be brought out before 6pm (if you arrive on the later side there is no guarantee there will be food left). If you are curious about Aslin Beer Company’s menu you can take a look at it here.

On Saturday, PPT will provide a continental breakfast for participants in the morning, lunch, and snacks towards the end of the day.

PPT will label provided food with common allergens.

COVID-19 Procedures: 

Masks are encouraged indoors at our events and will be available on-site at check-in. We also encourage everyone to take an at-home COVID-19 rapid test before arriving. Please stay home if you are feeling sick or have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19. The Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center has on-site parking, elevators, and accessible public entrances.


National Transit Advocacy Training Workshops and Presenters

Friday, 4/25
3:30pm Transit Tour, 5-7pm Kick-off Happy Hour

Transit Tour and Spring Training Kick-off Happy Hour
Kick-off Happy Hour at Aslin Beer, 1801 Smallman St
Pre-Kickoff Transit Tour, 3:30 start @ 4836 Ellsworth
Transit Tour led by:

Pittsburghers for Public Transit is excited to welcome public transit advocates, transit riders and workers, movement leaders, and champions for the freedom of movement to our Spring Training this year! Let’s get moving. 

Come on a transit tour tailored just for you! PPT members guide us on a transit tour beginning at the Pittsburghers for Public Transit office and ending near our final destination in time for a happy hour mixer at Aslin Beer Company, from 5:00-7:00pm with our members and friends. Our guides lead us through local landmarks, service itself, our geography’s impact on modes of transit, and PPT’s vision of all the potential our system could hold.

We invite our local and visiting guests to mingle before the big day of workshops. Join us for chit-chat, cocktails, hor d’evours, and table activities at Aslin Beer Company in The Strip District. The first round is on us! #TGIF 

Saturday, 4/26
10:15 AM – 11:45 AM // Workshop Block 1, advocates choose from:

Developing Strong Transit Worker-Rider Alliances Across Campaigns
Workshop led by

In this workshop, led by Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s 2025 Transit Worker Fellows, you will learn concrete strategies for collaborating with transit workers. Explore why this community matters, their viewpoints, common threads of solidarity, navigating concerns when collaborating and how to bring compassion to a campaign composed of diverse perspectives. 

The Transit Worker Fellows will open the workshop with a panel,  sharing their work and organizing experiences, illustrating the value workers bring to conversations that we cannot get from just engaging riders. 

Following the panel you will break into small groups to discuss different scenarios and conflicts that may arise between riders and workers, transit agencies and riders, transit agencies and workers. Then construct and practice organizing conversations. The groups will come together and end with reflections.

Sharing Your Transit Story: Effectively Using Your Story to Mobilize
Workshop led by

When advocating for change, it’s easy to get caught up in data, reports, and studies to try to prove the worthiness of your cause—but that only gets you so far. Time and time again, we have seen powerful stories help shift narratives around issues, including transit. Whether it’s testifying at city council, speaking to reporters, or educating people around the issues, storytelling can be our most powerful tool in creating change.

In this workshop we will learn how stories can have an impact and discuss effective ways to tell our stories to shift narratives and win change.

1:00-2:30 PM // Workshop Block 2, advocates choose from:

Identifying Power in Your Personal Networks: Spidermapping 
Workshop led by

When building an issues-based campaign, it is important to consider what the stakes are for the community around you. Whether it is where you volunteer, your classmates, your church congregation, neighbors, or co-workers, helping people to realize the power of their personal networks is life-changing to the personal power of organizing in your community. The power we all have, organizing it, and understanding the power of our opposition is what we will be focused on in this workshop. As we look to build powerful people, relationships, and movements to address our material needs.

Join us for a workshop where we will help you realize YOUR power and send you on your way to organize for your community’s gain.

MI, MD and PA Case Studies: Statewide Funding Fights for the Transit Service we Deserve
Workshop led by

Transit riders in communities across the Country are facing massive service cuts and fare increases – or are already suffering from inadequate service- and are now organizing for a variety of statewide funding and policy solutions. Hear from organizers from Detroit, Baltimore and Philly around the good, the bad and the ugly around statewide funding fights for transit, and how we can draw lessons from funding fights across state lines and across issue areas to win the service we deserve. 

Let’s go for a walk! (Mobile Workshop)
Workshop led by

Get some fresh air after lunch on a walk to explore Oakland from the perspective of people who walk and bus there! We’ll venture outside for a comfortable 1.3-mile journey with a focus on what works and what could be improved for accessibility, safety, and comfort. The route is mostly flat with one moderately steep downhill section, all on paved surfaces with wheelchair-accessible sidewalks.

Along the way, we’ll examine sidewalk design, transit stations, a pedestrian plaza, and one of the best “complete streets” in the City. You’ll learn to assess walking infrastructure through the eyes of mobility and accessibility experts, with insights from special guest Cecelia Black from Disability Rights Washington.

This interactive 90-minute workshop includes a brief orientation, guided walk with discussion stops, and a group debrief. Pre-registration required, limited to 20 participants. Come prepared to move at a relaxed pace and engage in meaningful dialogue about creating more walkable, accessible communities!

2:45 – 4:15 PM // Workshop Block 3, advocates choose from:

How to Facilitate Excellent Community Meetings and Navigate Conflict in the Moment
Workshop led by

As community organizers, we have all found ourselves in community meetings which have gone sideways- with attendees who pull everyone off-topic, folks that don’t seem engaged, participants who offer racist, homophobic or ableist takes, and even some where participants challenge the goals of the meeting itself. This workshop will share best practices for how facilitators can set up effective meetings, and how to navigate conflicts as they arise. Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to offer their reflections and practice managing a disruptive room towards a positive outcome.

Campaigns 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Building a Winning Strategy
Workshop led by

It can be easy to identify the issue that we want to organize a campaign around, but where do we go from there? In this workshop, you’ll hear from leaders in the transit justice, immigrant justice, jail justice and climate justice movements to see how they identified allies and targets, tactics, messaging and research needs in their respective campaigns, and built a solid plan to win. Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to collectively strategize on their own campaigns with these tools, or grapple with common scenarios together to develop an effective organizing campaign.


Presenter Bios!

Abhishek Viswanathan (back to Abhishek’s workshop)

Abhishek Viswanathan is an immigrant from Mumbai, teaching Data Science at Chatham University, researching environmental conditions in Pittsburgh, and organizing with friends and comrades at Against Carceral Tech (ACT) and other places.

Alisa Grishman (back to Alisa’s workshop)

Alisa Grishman is a disability activist and founder of Access Mob Pittsburgh, an advocacy group that utilizes positive approaches to making change, such as education and economic incentives. A self-described shameless agitator, Grishman has also been arrested multiple times fighting for disability rights with ADAPT, a national advocacy group. Her work has been recognized locally and nationally in such outlets as the Rachel Maddow Show, NPR, Huffington Post, Esquire Magazine, WTAE, KDKA News, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Along with her direct advocacy work, Grishman co-runs Ballots for Patients and Care to Vote, sister efforts that respectively collect emergency absentee ballots from hospitalized peoples on election day and work with nursing and personal care homes to help residents register to vote and fill out ballots. She also sits on the board of directors of the Keystone Progress Education Fund.

In her free time, Grishman enjoys knitting and collecting antique books. She lives in the Uptown neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA.

Bemi Byrd (back to Bemi’s workshop)

As a Transportation Community Organizer at No Boundaries Coalition, I led grassroots efforts to elevate transportation equity in Central West Baltimore. I created and led the initiative “Put Your SEAT Where Your Mouth Is,” bringing elected officials and residents together to ride public transit and engage in a town hall that translated lived experience into policy-driven dialogue. I built strategic relationships with local and state officials, including direct engagement with the Secretary of Transportation. I met with the Administrator of MTA to advocate for improved operations and maintenance of our transit system. I also developed a monthly transportation flyer to keep residents informed and involved.

My advocacy extended to speaking at Delegate Robbyn Lewis’ City 4 All forum, organizing transportation for community members to the Transit Riders Rally in Annapolis as well as speaking at that rally, and testifying at MTA House and Senate hearings in support of Governor Moore’s transportation budget. My work reflects a deep commitment to community empowerment, equitable transit solutions, and building bridges between residents and decision-makers.

Connor Chapman (back to Connor’s workshop)

Connor Chapman is a labor/community organizer and researcher based in Pittsburgh, PA. A member of PPT’s organizing committee, he serves as an organizer with Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s Transit Worker Fellowship, which aims to bring transit workers and transit riders together. Committed to building strong labor-community coalitions, Connor believes that robust connections between Pittsburgh’s transit workforce and ridership will be key to maintaining and expanding public transit service. He also organizes with the Pitt Graduate Workers Organizing Committee, where he helped secure union representation for 2,300 graduate workers at the University of Pittsburgh.

Connor Descheemaker (back to Connor’s workshop)

Connor Descheemaker has over a decade of experience building and facilitating diverse coalitions to achieve policy change, support local communities, and provide professional education and development. Born in Phoenix, they came of age just as that famously-sprawling metro opened its first light rail line in 2008, and their exploration of a changing downtown ignited their interest in mobility and community in urban areas. There, they ran multiple all-ages art and performance spaces, and founded a business coalition to support walkable, sustainable, and affordable urban development. After four intermediary years in Seattle supporting architects in their professional development, and housing and transportation advocacy, they arrived in Philadelphia in 2022 to manage the Transit Forward Philadelphia coalition. There, they grew the group to 35 community-based organizations covering environmental justice, immigrant and refugee support, community development, political advocacy, and elder and disability rights.

Daeja Baker (back to Daeja’s workshop)

Daeja Baker is a long-time organizer and poet from the North Side of Pittsburgh. She founded Pittsburgh Feminists for Intersectionality (PFI) in 2017, an organization that does community education, mutual aid, and resource gathering across Allegheny County. Daeja often organizes at the intersections of disability rights, mental health, racial justice, queer rights, and abolition. Daeja has worked on numerous state and county level political campaigns and currently works as a political consultant. She believes that our collective liberation rests in the power that individuals bring in coalition with one another. Daeja organizes with the belief that rest is radical; rest is liberation; and that nothing happens in a movement without collective care. Be well.

Evelyn Ulysse (back to Evelyn’s workshop)

Hello, my name is Evelyn Ulysse. I’m part of the Latino community in Pittsburgh. I ride public transit, and I care about it because it’s a system that helps the most vulnerable people get around the city to perform basic life activities, such as going to work, school, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and recreational activities. I’m passionate about photography and participating in projects that improve the quality of life.

Hola mi nombre es Evelyn Ulysse soy parte de la Comunidad Latina en Pittsburgh PA, Soy usuaria del transporte público y me importa porque es un sistema que ayuda a la clase más vulnerable a desplazarse por la ciudad para realizar sus actividades básicas para la vida como ir al Trabajo la Escuela Citas médicas, comprar alimentos y actividades recreativas.
Me apasiona la fotografĂ­a y participar en proyectos que aporten mejoras a la calidad de vida.

Erik Oas (back to Erik’s workshop)

Erik lives in Lawrenceville with his wife Laura and dog Ubba. He is a California native who spent seven years calling minor league baseball games on the radio before beginning his current work in and around political campaigns. Erik’s first campaign was Bernie Sanders 2020 run where he worked as a Field Organizer and Advance Team Member before moving to Pittsburgh in June of 2020. Since then, he has worked on numerous electoral and public pressure campaigns at all levels with a commitment to building power for poor and working people. A believer in organizational homes, Erik organizes with the Pittsburgh Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Faith Walker (back to Faith’s workshop)

Faith Walker is the Executive Director of RVA Rapid Transit, Virginia’s only public transportation advocacy organization. She first joined the team as Director of Community Engagement and now leads efforts to create a more connected, equitable Richmond region through expanded and accessible transit.Under Faith’s leadership, RVA Rapid Transit has championed the region’s Zero Fare program for the past five years, ensuring transit remains a vital tool for racial equity, economic mobility, and public health. She has helped grow impactful initiatives like the Adopt-A-Stop program, which empowers community members to reimagine and care for bus stops; Riders Voice, which amplifies the lived experiences of daily transit users in policy conversations; and Mobility University, a five-week training series that equips residents to advocate for better public transportation in their neighborhoods.With a strong foundation in artistic marketing, creative outreach, and grassroots organizing, Faith bridges community, culture, and policy to advance healthy, people-centered transit solutions across the region.

Gabriel McMorland (back to Gabriel’s workshop)

Gabriel McMorland (She/her) has been active with PPT since 2015 and is currently on the PPT board. She previously worked at the Thomas Merton Center, an activist organization where she led power-mapping workshops and organized campaigns on a variety of issues. She’s a blind/Disabled transwoman who dreams of sidewalks and transit so accessible that we can all move on to more poetic pursuits.

Gregory Williams (back to Gregory’s workshop)

Gregory Williams serves as the Advocacy Campaign Organizer at Bike Durham, where he champions equitable and sustainable transportation initiatives. He’s been with Bike Durham for a little over a year now and brings with him over a decade of experience in political fundraising, organizing, operations, and civic engagement. In addition to his dedication to advancing social justice and democracy through improved transit solutions he is an avid musician, father, and sustainable technology enthusiast.

Joel Batterman (back to Joel’s workshop)

Joel Batterman (he/him) grew up in Michigan, went to college in Oregon, and returned to the Great Lakes State hoping to bring more public transit to America’s automotive heartland. He helped found Transit Riders of the US Together, a national network of transit rider organizations, and currently works as Campaigns Manager for Detroit’s Transportation Riders United. Joel has experience organizing with MOSES, the Motor City Freedom Riders, and the Graduate Employees Organization, among other groups. He lives in Detroit with his wife, cat, and son.

Laura Perkins (back to Laura’s workshop)

Laura has been carless for 4 years, and a Pittsburgh for Public Transit member for 5. As a community organizer with Pittsburgh’s Latino immigrants, she worked with PPT on various campaigns to make our public transit system more accessible to immigrants.

Monika Wheeler Hanna (back to Monika’s workshop)

Hi my name is Monika Wheeler Hanna, and I’m a Retired Instructor/ Supervisor from Pittsburgh Region Transit with 25 years of service, 15 years as an Operator and 10 years as an Instructor. I’ve been an Activist with Pittsburghers for Public Transit since 2011 and I’m a Transit Worker Fellow who acts as a Consultant on Work Place issues and PPT Campaigns. I like to travel with my GrandGirls to their Cheer Competition.

Morgan Cikowski (back to Morgan’s workshop)

Morgan is the Activism Team Lead at Patagonia Pittsburgh, where she partners with local organizations to host meaningful events—like book talks, film screenings, and community conversations—and helps amplify their messages through social media and in-store storytelling.

Her passion for local advocacy runs deep. As a former intern and active member of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, she’s spent time canvassing, speaking at PRT board meetings, and conducting bus stop audits to support more equitable transit.

When she’s not organizing or connecting with community partners, you’ll likely find Morgan enjoying time at the park with her dog, Frankie, or winding down with a cozy Animal Crossing session on her Switch.

Patrick McGinty (back to Patrick’s workshop)

Patrick McGinty teaches writing at Slippery Rock University, where he chairs the Committee for Action through Politics for the faculty union (APSCUF). His first novel, Test Drive, was about how driverless cars don’t really solve transit issues in Pittsburgh. Like, at all.

Paul Vereb (back to Paul’s workshop)

I’m Paul Vereb, a Pittsburghers for Public Transit Fellow and a recently retired Light Rail Transit Systems Supervisor for Pittsburgh Regional Transit. My position included supervising three different disciplines under the umbrella of one department called Power and Signal. I spent 30 years in the light rail field working with crews who maintained the power distribution, overhead catenary infrastructure, and signaling assets for the Allegheny County Trolley system, the T, where I learned the importance of teamwork, experience, and collective ideas in the process of job performance. Working with PPT has given me insight to the needs of our riders and fellow employees and the obstacles that we face in light of inconsistent funding and service delivery. I believe these are things that can be righted using our collective voices, experience, and teamwork.

Seth Bush (back to Seth’s workshop)

Seth Bush is the Advocacy Manager at Bike Pittsburgh where he coaches, trains, and resources leaders of neighborhood biking & walking advocacy groups or “bike/ped committees” across Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Seth is a graduate of the America Walks Walking College Fellowship and a Professional Certified Coach for social change leaders with over 15 years of experience in grassroots organizing. When he’s not helping neighbors transform their streets, you can find Seth walking his dog around his neighborhood in Swissvale, gardening, or binge-watching Star Trek. Contact him at seth@bikepgh.org.

Tom Conroy (back to Tom’s workshop)

Tom Conroy is a retired bus driver for Pittsburgh Regional Transit and former Union board man for Amalgamated Transit Union local 85 at the Collier garage in Pittsburgh. He is a long time member and supporter of Pittsburghers for Public Transit and Union activist.

Shay Singh (back to Shay’s workshop)

Shay (they/he) is a soccer coach, union barista and member of Starbucks Workers United, and a transit advocate based out of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. They are a co-founder of Clevelanders for Public Transit, and formerly served as staff for the Amalgamated Transit Union to prevent service cuts and layoffs in Cleveland.

Stevie Pasamonte (back to Stevie’s workshop)

Stevie Pasamonte is an organizer focused on building grassroots power at the intersection of mobility, climate, and racial justice. As the chair of Transit Columbus, they helped win a major funding increase for central Ohio public transit, sidewalks, and bikeways, and built coalitions to champion the city’s first complete streets policy. Stevie draws from their experience as a grassroots advocate and lifelong public transit rider in their work with the National Campaign for Transit Justice.

Apply Today! New Mon Valley Transit Organizing Fellowship

image description: graphic has text that reads “Mon Valley Transit Organizing Fellowship” wth a photo of a PPT Member. Background has a gameboy-like illustration of people waiting at a bus stop.

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?

Tell Gov Shapiro: TRANSIT M♥VES US!

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!

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

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 TOOLS: DIY Commute Calculator for Bus Line Redesign

image description: red background with white text that reads “New Advocate Tools! Commute Calculator” next to a logo for Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Bus Line Redesign

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.

  1. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.