Port Authority will officially open discussion on it’s fare policy proposal today! We are encouraging folks to come out to the hearings, learn more about the proposal, and tell the Port Authority what you think!

It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s A Super Stop

PPT community organizer, Molly Nichols, called in to Essential Pittsburgh to discuss the new super stop at Smithfield and 6th downtown. PPT would to thank Mayor Peduto and Envision Downtown for looking out for the 6,500 riders that use this stop everyday.

New Transit App Allows Real Time Tracking Of Port Authority Buses

Nichols was also featured on KDKA tv news to help spread information about real time technology that can help improve the experience of everyday transit users. Services like Port Authority’s TrueTime and the Transit App are available free to all riders.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Campaign to Encourage Transit Riders’ Use of Real Time Technology

Pittsburgh, PA – January 25, 2016 – Pittsburghers for Public Transit is organizing a series of Downtown canvassing days to spread awareness of real time services available to transit riders. In the cold winter months waiting for a bus can be increasingly grueling. Port Authority TrueTime services and independent real time apps make getting through the winter easier than ever! PPT plans to engage directly with riders at downtown bus stops and cross town bus lines to spread information about how to access these services through Port Authority, the Transit App, and Tiramisu.

We’ll be canvassing Monday Jan 25^th from 3-6 pm and Tuesday Jan 25^th from 3-6 pm. Folks will meet at the Smithfield and Sixth “Superstop.”

Port Authority’s Truetime services are highlighted on their website and include online and call functions. Port Authority is also developing a texting feature that will allow riders to find out when their bus is coming with one text. PPT will also work to help riders use the Transit App (http://transitapp.com), an independent service that allows users to track when their bus will arrive, access full route schedules, and view connecting lines.

PPT hopes to improve the experience of current riders and to inspire new ridership by increasing awareness of real time technology that can save time and keep riders out of the cold.

Don’t forget to register for the Summit Against Racism! Join us on Saturday 1/23 for a full day of discussion and learning.

We are participating in a panel at 230 pm, on “Building Equitable Communities: Strategies for Tenant and Community Organizing.”

Long Hall, Pgh Theological Seminary, Room 216 -Track – Housing
SESSION BLOCK 3 – 2:35pm – 4:05pm

Let us know if you plan to attend so you can get the group rate (10 dollars/person). Email casy@pittsburghforpublictransit.org

Check out the results of the Make My Trip Count Survey!

Nearly 35% of people use public transit to get to work and that number would be even higher if we included trips for other purposes. Let’s continue to ensure there are adequate transit options for everyone.

Please join PPT at the Summit Against Racism on Sat Jan 23! It will be a day filled with great workshops starting at 8am. PPT is committed to ensuring that there is affordable housing near transit lines and amenities. We are participating in a panel at 230 pm, on “Building Equitable Communities: Strategies for Tenant and Community Organizing.”

PPT raised $8,000 in our fall fundraising campaign!! Over 100 people donated! Thank you all so much for your support. We are celebrating a great year of defending and expanding public transit and are excited for all we can do in 2016!

Dozens of transit riders and community members came out to speak and to stand together in the fight for better bus service. Many testimonies and heartfelt accounts were given about the lack of service and its effect on individuals from all walks of life. Groups from Penn Hills, Garfield, and Perry Highway came out in support of transit improvements in their neighborhoods and for all those who need it.

The event garnered a large amount of media attention and was covered by WPXI, WTAE, the Post-Gazette, WESA, and KDKA:

Dozens rally Downtown in push for expanded bus service in North Hills, East End

Group urges Port Authority of Allegheny County to fund more transit routes

Port Authority continues to hear pleas for expanded bus service

Suburban residents fill Port Authority meeting to max capacity, demanding bus service additions

Riders rally downtown for more Port Authority bus service

Port Authority Board Hears Resident Requests

Rally Calls For Increased Port Authority Bus Service

Highlights from speakers:

Ken Love (Penn Hills): I see young single mothers walking with their little kids, struggling to keep their kids safe, and then struggling to come back with 3 or 4 bags.

Annie Howard (Perry Highway): Today we alluded to a possible trend in less ridership, which I find strange, because there is a whole room of people behind me that are clamoring for service.

Del Royce Tatum (Garfield) : I would like to invite you to a weekend adventure in Garfield heights, we will go shopping, maybe the movies if you like. Please understand our plight, we have no cars, or a bus to get there. We have the 89 running Monday through Friday. But on the weekends we have nothing. We buy monthly bus passes just like everybody else, but we don’t have monthly service. You have been robbing us of our monies and are freedoms, because we don’t have bus service on the weekend.

Come out  Friday Nov 20th at 8:30 am outside of the Wood St. T-Station for our Bus Riders Unite for Service Rally!

Join transit riders, workers, and residents as we call for adequate transit service in Garfield, Penn Hills, North Hills and all communities that need it. We will be on our way to the Port Authority board to file our requests for service. But it doesn’t stop there. Let’s make sure that elected officials and the public are aware of our needs! We are uniting to get the transit service we need.

Click here for a flier.

20 Penn Hills residents came together on Tuesday Nov 10th to speak out about the unsafe conditions they face trying to use public transit. Residents are forced to walk long distances on roads without sidewalks in order to catch a bus. Community members are often almost struck by vehicles, and one woman was actually hit by a car last summer.

PPT is supporting these residents as they request better bus service and safer conditions for walking. All transit users are pedestrians first.

The Post-Gazette has published an article calling that PAAC’s surplus funding should go to addressing service gaps and needs. The op-ed comes after the October 23rd PAAC board meeting at which over 20 residents and community leaders spoke about lack of service in their neighborhoods.

Read more: Transit deserts: The Port Authority must try to find relief