After 12 years of being in this office, current County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has reached his term limit, and will vacate the seat in January, 2024. That means that this year’s election for County Executive on November 7th is going to decide which newcomer is going to take the seat and lead the whole of Allegheny County.
Of all political positions, the Allegheny County Executive (the #ACE) has the most power to address the needs of transit riders. The #ACE has the power to hire and fire Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT)’s CEO, appoint many of the transit agency board members, decide and approve the budget for PRT, the County Health Department, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, and Allegheny County Economic Development, among other agencies. This translates into a lot of opportunity– around transit rider representation and decision-making power at PRT, around transit funding growth, around accessible, dignified and safe infrastructure, around service expansion and affordable fares, and around the needs of transit riders to be able to find quality affordable housing near quality transit.
Tens of thousands of residents of Allegheny County depend on public transit to connect them to life-sustaining services, grocery stores, educational centers, and employment opportunities. We need a County Executive that believes that mobility is a right, and who understands that high-quality, affordable, and people-focused transit is necessary to address the persistent inequalities in health and economic outcomes between different communities in our region, and to have an economically vibrant region.
Add your name to say that these transit justice demands are important for the next Allegheny County Executive
Make sure you’re ready to vote in the General Election on November 7th
With all of that at stake, PPT has worked with our membership to develop a platform with some of the top demands that transit riders have for the incoming #ACERace.
Pittsburghers for Public Transit, a grassroot union of transit riders, workers, and neighbors who wants to see candidates for the Allegheny County Executive dedicated to:
1. Rider Representation and Board Accountability In Decision-Making at Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT)
There are different ways to ensure that riders have a voice on the Pittsburgh Regional Transit board. The Allegheny County Executive could propose that PRT have board seats that are elected by Allegheny County voters, and/or have special transit rider seats that are filled by a nomination or appointment processfrom stakeholder organizations like Pittsburghers for Public Transit, the Committee for Accessible Transit, the Allegheny County Transit Council, and Age-Friendly Pittsburgh.
Board members’ transit usage should be audited and published annually, to make transparent their familiarity and knowledge of the transit system that they are governing. This is a practice in some other transit agencies nationally and could compel all members of the board to take transit more regularly.
As part of the Board appointment process, the #ACE should ensure that PRT board members reflect geographic diversity of the region, with a particular emphasis on recruiting riders from the Mon Valley for the positions.
PRT Board meetings should be accessible and meaningful for riders to attend, with space for Board members to hear and discuss feedback from the public.
The Allegheny County Executive should commit to raising local, state and federal funding for the agency, particularly operating funding. The #ACE could lead a local funding referendum to be able to sustainably expand service.
The Allegheny County Executive should work with PRT and employers to pass Transportation Demand Management (TDM) legislation, requiring large employers and developers to provide free transit passes to employees. This is an important way to grow ridership in Allegheny County, to have dedicated and expanded funding for our transit agency that is paid for by corporations, and to support recruitment and retention of workers through this transportation incentive. More than 50% of the fare revenue collected by the Seattle area transit system is through bulk discount fare passes purchased by employers for their employees, not individual transit rider fare purchases. PRT is finally piloting a bulk discount fare program for employers and developers, which should be paired with county legislation on Transportation Demand Management.
3. Commitment to Fully Accessible Transit
Ensure that PRT communications and branding are in Spanish and other languages, particularly in local communities with growing populations of immigrant residents.
Commit to recruitment and appointment of people with disabilities in all departments of PRT and all county agencies.
4. Commitment to Affordable Housing near High Quality Transit
Support the passage of a countywide inclusionary housing to ensure that transit riders can afford to live in neighborhoods experiencing development that have better or more frequent transit.
Require the County Housing Authority prioritize the funding and development of low-income housing by existing transit assets.
Provide funding and expertise to municipalities to plan for development to integrate affordable housing, retail and social services, and quality transit.
5. Commitment to Reliable, Expanded Transit Service
The #ACE needs to recognize that the workforce shortfall is a serious crisis for our transit system and riders, and one that will not be reversed without an aggressive recruitment and retention strategy. PRT is now short over 200 transit operators, and that gap will continue to grow with the wave of retirements scheduled for this year and next; in fact, the attrition now each month is higher than the number of new employees that PRT is even able to hire and train. The #ACE must work with PRT to ramp up its recruitment strategy and incentives, and speak with transit workers to address morale so that workers feel supported in the role.
Require that PRT has a realistic plan to restore pre-pandemic service levels.
Create a plan at PRT to increase the frequency and service span to include overnight routes.
6. Commitment to Affordable Fares for Low-Income Riders
Commit to a permanent zero fare program for all SNAP/EBT households in Allegheny County after the low-income discounted transit pilot ends. Identify and allocate funds to ensure that the County Department of Human Services has sufficient resources to sustainably run the program.
Add your name to say that these transit justice demands are important for the next Allegheny County Executive
Image description: PPT Member gather at a press conference 10/27/23 before giving the #NotMyBRT petition to the PRT Board of Directors
Let’s Turn This Bus Around! Riders present #NotMyBRT Petition with a 500+ signatures to reverse the October 1 Service Changes and give us more transit, not less.
At the Friday, October 27th PRT Board Meeting, transit riders were back for the second time to demand that the October 1st service changes and the downward of trend of PRT’s service coverage and reliability MUST BE REVERSED! This time, riders held a press conference and presented the Board with a 500+ signature petition on a big, 8-foot wide, painted purple plywood cut-out of a bus! Riders then went inside to the Board and delivered an hour of public testimony detailing how cuts on the 61, 71, and nearly 40 other routes have been devastating for their access to healthcare, childcare, food and jobs.
Beechview resident and fellow transit rider Laura Szanfranski told the board:
“I do not drive due to vision issues and ride public transportation regularly to get to and from work and medical appointments… In June of this year I received a life-saving kidney transplant along with 3 other procedures all in one very large surgery at UPMC Montefiore… What normally takes 15 to 20 minutes by car to get to UPMC Mercy or UPMC Montefiore now takes me well over an hour depending on the quality of service PRT is providing that day.”
Image Description: screenshot from PRT’s website that shows the average on-time arrival for PRT’s buses has declined month after month in 2023
The October 1st changes continue the downward trend of service reliability at PRT. PRT says that these cuts were made to create efficiencies that would allow service to be added to other lines, but that is not what is happening. Month after month in 2023, riders have experienced worse and worse service reliability. PRT’s Performance Metrics and System Data page shows that on-time bus arrivals have declined from approx 72% in January of 2023 to 64% in September of 2023. We’ll keep monitoring their website to see how these on-time performance numbers change for October 2023.
We need to keep the pressure on. Join PPT at our November Meeting to help riders design a campaign to build a transit service that meets all of our needs
See the news coverage from the #NotMyBRT petition delivery to the PRT Board
Image Description: Graphic shows photo of Sara Innamorato and photo of Joe Rockey. There are check boxes below each candidate’s image that say “#VoteTransit Q&A” and “Transit Ride-Along w PPT”. Sara Innamorato’s boxes have check marks. Joe Rockey’s do not
Transit riders! Make the pledge to #VoteTransit on November 7th in the Allegheny County Executive Election. We need a leader in office who will do the most for transit riders and our transit system.
Voters will roll to the polls to elect a new leader for the MOST POWERFUL REGIONAL OFFICE FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT, the Allegheny County Executive. The County Executive appoints a majority of PRT Board members, they control billions of public dollars, and set policy that can transform transit. Riders need to learn the public transit platforms that each candidate will bring to office and VOTE for the candidate who shares our vision.
This past Spring, PPT issued a #VoteTransit Questionnaire to each of the candidates for County Executive. We wanted to give the candidates an opportunity to lay out the priorities that they have for public transit, affordable housing, economic and environmental justice.
We also want riders to get familiar with these candidates and pledge to #VoteTransit for an Executive who will do the most for transit riders and our transit system.
Here’s a summary of what each candidate said in our #Vote Transit Candidate Questionnaire:
Sara Innamorato Democrat 38 Years Old
In PPT’s #VoteTransit Questionnaire, Sara commits to use the office of Allegheny County Executive to:
🚌 Appoint at least one rider and one operator to the PRT board
🚌 Put a moratorium on service reductions and cuts
🚌 Create a permanent zero-fare program for all SNAP/EBT recipients
🚌 Build more affordable, transit-oriented development
🚌 Work with Mayor Gainey and other local leaders to invest infrastructure dollars to improve transit, and pass pro-transit zoning reforms at the municipal level
🚌 Establish more communication between PRT and the community and transit advocates
🚌 Fully implement a bulk pass discount program to get large employers to pre-pay for transit passes for their employees
🚌 Seek PILOT payments or additional taxes from large employers and non-profits
🚌 Create a new position at PRT focused on language accessibility and disability access
Joe Rockey did not return answers to PPT’s #VoteTransit candidate questionnaire. Rockey also did not accept our invitation to join us for a transit ride along.
image description: PPT Members hold up PPT Member and Artist Marcel Lamont Walker’s artwork that he created for our 2023 Strategic Plan.
Are you an artist in the Pittsburgh region who is passionate about Transit Justice? Have you been looking for a way to share your art while getting involved in a movement for positive change? Then have we got the opportunities for you!
Keep reading for two opportunities to create artwork for Pittsburghers for Public Transit campaigns:
Opportunity 1: 2023 Year-End Campaign commission!
Pittsburghers for Public Transit has an immediate opportunity for a local artist to create artwork for our 2023 year-end campaign!
The theme of our year-end celebration is: WE RIDE TOGETHER. This slogan is meant to highlight the amazing work our membership has done in 2023 building solidarity between transit riders and transit workers in Pittsburgh. We’ve learned that we can accomplish so much working together, and that solutions created by riders AND workers are strongest! We’re looking for an artist who can create compelling, beautiful artwork that can effectively communicate this message to our audiences.
If selected, your artwork would be featured in our year-end mailers to our membership, as well as a central image for our digital communications, such as our website, blog, and social media. The artwork will also be the primary imagry used in Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s 2024 Strategic Plan. You would also be compensated well for your work. All media are welcome, as long as they can be effectively represented on 2D surfaces like screens and posters.
This commission has a somewhat condensed timeline:
PPT will accept applications for this opportunity until November 1st, 2023
Artist will be selected by November 3rd
Selected artists will have until November 8th to submit concept drawings and November 14th to complete their work and send it to us
Mailers will be constructed beginning November 15th
Mailers will be sent to our members in the mail beginning November 25th
Strategic Plan to be finalized by the end of the year.
If you are interested in creating artwork for this opportunity, please fill out this form! Google will ask you to sign in to view the form because there’s a question that allows artists to upload examples of their work.
Opportunity 2: Create artwork for future campaigns!
Are you excited to create artwork with PPT, but not able to meet the November 14th deadline? Join our list of community artists so we can commission you in the future!
Pittsburghers for Public Transit is looking for artists to contribute campaign artwork that can help motivate our members and reach new audiences with our issues. We believe that art has the power to help us visualize the transformative power of our work, bringing us and our audiences closer to the reality of a safe, quality, truly equitable transit system.
Our dream is to commission artists to create campaign artwork regularly throughout the year, and we’re hoping to build out a list of artists who are interested in contributing their work. If you’re interested in joining that list to potentially be commissioned, fill out the form below!
All media are welcome, as long as they can be effectively represented on 2D surfaces like screens and posters. PPT aims to compensate all commissioned artists fairly for the work they create for us. Applications for this opportunity will be ongoing.
If you want to join our running list of community artists, please fill out this form! Google will ask you to sign in to view the form because there’s a question that allows artists to upload examples of their work.
image description: A rider addresses the PRT Board to give feedback on a previous BRT Service Plan
Riders are speaking out! Changes to the 61s, 71s and other routes have caused worse access. RSVP to join us and testify to the PRT board.
BRT improvements should make our transit access better, not set us back. We want PRT to reverse the changes!
To accommodate the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT, for short) project between Downtown and Oakland, new route changes rolled out on October 1. The service changes proved to be what transit riders and workers expressly warned PRT about in September 2023 – they have made accessing destinations harder, not easier.
The 61D, 71A, 71C, and 71D now terminate in Oakland, forcing those riders going downtown to transfer. The 61s and 71s have become less useful for regular riders, and people are still experiencing being passed up by full buses the closer they are to Downtown. Additionally, riders have lost direct access to medical facilities, including UPMC Mercy, PPG Paints Arena, schools, and social service providers located downtown.
Check out our blog to recap the changes that happened on October 1st. If you are impacted by the changes, please share your story with fellow transit advocates by filling out our Transit Troubles form, and join us at the PRT board meeting downtown, on October 27.
image description: photo of Ms Lisa Gonzalez holding a book about Claudette Colvin.
Ms. Lisa was a long-time Board Member who led Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s campaign for transit justice. Her passing is a heartbreak for all in the movement. Please take a moment today to share your memories of Ms. Lisa and send condolences to her family.
After a long battle with cancer, Ms. Lisa Gonzalez passed away on September 24th. Ms. Lisa was a true freedom fighter who led campaigns for transit justice and housing justice, education justice and many other issues critical for the well-being, organizing with dozens of groups active on the local, state, and national levels. You can read Ms. Lisa’s obituary here.
video description: Ms. Lisa speaks one on one w Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and advocates for free fares for all families on the SNAP programimage description: Ms. Lisa poses with PPT Member Phyllis at a rally to stop armed police officers from collecting fares on the T. Snow is on the ground. She wears a big winter coat and holds a colorful sign that reads “Transportation Not Deportation”.image description: Ms. Lisa wears a red PPT t-shirt and poses in a line with PPT Members Debra, Debra, Terri and Josh.Image description: Ms Lisa poses with fellow advocates with her fist raised at the 2018 Housing Summit party in front of a banner that reads Housing is a Human RightImage Description: Ms. Lisa stops by the 2022 PPT Summer Picnic and speaks with her friend and PPT Member Ms. Char.image description: photo of Ms Lisa Gonzalez holding a book about Claudette Colvin.image description: Ms. Lisa sits on a bench across from Secretary Pete Buttigieg and advocates for free fares for all SNAP households in the United States.
Some messages from the PPT Community
Ms. Lisa was tireless. She was involved in so many communities and she was a huge advocate for transit. I really enjoyed getting to know her over the years and I am so sad that she has left us. She was a powerful woman and will be missed. – Jess
I feel honored to have worked beside Lisa in Pittsburghers for Public Transit for many years as she developed into a true community leader and fighter. All too often, it is those who give the militant speeches and the firebrands who are seen as truly representative of the organization and who are the leaders. In fact, it is the Lisa Gonzalez of the world who wage the fight for justice and freedom in any way and every way the organization needs who show us the way to win. I visited Lisa in her last months in the rehab facility and enjoyed our conversations about friends and family. RIP Lisa, you live on. – Mel
Mrs. Lisa was always a shining star in our organization. She will be sorely missed. She will be in my eyes, a Legacy in Pittsburgh and the Transit World. – Kevin
A caring loving person who will be truly missed – Robbin
I cannot remember exactly what action/rally it was where I met Lisa. She seemed to be everywhere advocating for transit, housing, fair wages and workers rights. Always determined and willing to speak up for justice for the poor snd working class and always giving her time and energy wherever it was needed. I last saw her in the summer of 2022 at Moore pool in Brookline. She was working the entrance on a beautiful summer day and we spoke for a few minutes. May her light and energy continue to inspire us all Condolences to family and friends. – Tom
Ms. Lisa overflowed with love and strength. I hope her family and close loved ones feel her presence echoing around them and receive so much support in this moment. Ms. Lisa was a clear-voiced advocate for justice and I’m grateful to have worked with her on PPT’s coordinating committee. What I will remember most vividly is her laugh, which always made me feel like she was letting me know we were together on the inside of a shared understanding. I’m grateful to have known her <3. – Gabriel
image description: Duquesne worker Kathleen Lynch speaks at the 9/29 rally calling for a BRT system that makes more access, not less. She’s surrounded by PPT Members who hold yellow signs with red text that reads “Transit Moves Us”.
Riders TURNED OUT Friday to speak directly to the board and call for a stop to these cuts. SUPPORT THE CALL for BRT improvements by signing the petition today!
Did you hear? This Friday, PPT members and allies came together to protest proposed service cuts to the 61 and 71 bus routes–and it was absolute fire! We rallied, we marched to the PRT Board meeting, and we testified: these proposed service cuts are unacceptable. They will result in longer wait time, more crowding, and a higher cost to ride for everyone who uses these affected routes. Our members spoke out about their experiences, and how these cuts will disproportionately harm our most vulnerable neighbors–disabled neighbors, elder neighbors, and neighbors without Connect Cards most of all.
We are so energized and grateful for everyone who supported us in this powerful moment. When we come together and leverage our strength as a community, we can accomplish so much–and Friday’s rally was a testament to that power!
But this fight isn’t over yet.
You can support us now by signing our petition. If you think that crowded buses, longer waits, and higher fares on some of our most crucial connecting routes are unacceptable, add your name to the list, and we can make our shared voice even louder.
Image is a cartoon with a little banner on the top left that reads, “Join PPT to brainstorm…” Beneath that is a sparkly speech bubble the reads “The Future of Transit Justice, Wednesday, 10/11 7pm at 1 Smithfield St.” The speech bubble is coming from five people who vary in race and gender.
Register to join us on October 11th to create our 2024 Strategic Plan
image description: petition flyer has an image of PPT Member Lorita Gillespie speaking at the September 29th rally to reverse the cuts. Text says “Reverse the Cuts! Sign the petition. Share your story. Major transit changes were implemented October 1st to the 61s, 71s and nearly 40 other routes. Help organize for improvements by taking action now.” with an arrow to a QR code.
Reverse the cuts! Take action by signing the petition to PRT. We want a rapid transit plan that brings more access, not less.
Major service changes went into effect on October 1st. These changes included major service cuts on the 61D Murray, 71A Negley, 71C Point Breeze, and 71D Hamilton, and changes on nearly 40 other routes. These changes are leading to longer wait times, more crowded buses, and higher fares. No Bus Rapid Transit project should take away service. Riders want Pittsburgh Regional Transit to reverse the cuts and restore our service back!
Sign the petition to reverse the cuts! You can help build a BRT for all.
What are you seeing on the buses? Share your photos and videos with Pittsburghers for Public Transit to advocate for change.
We need to show what is happening on the streets. Has your bus been crowded? Are you missing transfers? Take two minutes to email us your photos and videos so we can build up a library of stories to strengthen our demand for change.
image description: photo of a yellow articulated PRT bus in downtown PGH.
Big changes are slated to start October 1st. Learn more in the blog and sign up to make your voice heard.
Throughout the year, PRT makes a number of “service adjustments” to routes throughout the system. These service adjustments are typically minor changes to accommodate for things like construction detours or a stop relocation. But sometimes there are some more major changes included in this list. Ideally, these adjustments allow PRT to make the schedules as reliabile as possible, but unfortunately, that isn’t often the result.
The agency announces these changes on their website and social media, but many times riders are left in the dark about ow their schedules are shifting. To try to promote these changes, and translate what they will mean for riders, PPT has been teaming up with the volunteer-run @PGH_Bus_Info_Hotline since 2019 to publish these blogs.
Here’s some information on what changes are slated for October 1st and opportunities to speak up to make your voice heard.
The biggest issues that riders have with this round of changes are those proposed for the 61D, 71A, 71C, and 71D. These routes will stop servicing Uptown and Downtown, which means riders will lose direct access to homes, hospitals and schools and cash riders will need to pay double.
There are major changes being proposed for the 61D, 71A, 71C, and 71D. These buses will turn around in Oakland and no longer service downtown. PPT and rider advocates have said a lot about these changes since they were announced mid-August. The primary concern about cutting these routes in Oakland means that inbound riders will lose direct access resources in Uptown (like the hospitals and universities), and outbound riders who live in Uptown will lose access to grocery stores and everything else in Oakland, the East End, and Squirrell Hill. Moreover, introducing a mandatory transfer on these routes will mean DOUBLE fare for those paying with cash, and a big uncertainty for any riders transit trip (which is especially hard for riders with mobility impairments). For our rundown of the concerns that we’ve heard about these changes check out this blog.
But there are also a number of other changes slated for this round that could have a big impact for riders. We continue to have issues with how the changes are communicated on PRT’s website. For many changes, PRT just types “Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed”, which sometimes are small shifts that riders won’t notice but sometimes are big changes that reshape riders lives (like the 77 losing a significant amount of weekend evening service in this set of changes). If you are impacted by these changes, we encourage you to share your story with us on our Transit Trouble form, because we need to get organized so we can advocate for improvements.
Reverse the cuts! Take action by signing the petition to PRT. We want a rapid transit plan that brings more access, not less.
The @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline is a volunteer-run twitter account that gives riders adjustments on PRT’s daily happenings. The Hotline has no official connection to the PRT (again, it is a volunteer-run twitter account) but the adjustments they provide are helpful nonetheless. The Hotline is a big supporter of PPT, and an enormous advocate for public transit. We’re thankful for their support and happy to collab on these rider resources. Follow @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline on twitter for more grassroots transit adjustments.
About how to read this blog
We take the list of service changes listed on PRT’s website and break them into three categories based on what they mean for riders; “The Good”, “The Bad (The Missed Opportunities)”, “The middle of the road… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯”.
For each change you’ll see the text and link that the PRT uses to describe each change, with a link to the new schedule. This is copy/pasted from PRT’s website…
61A-North Braddock – Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed. Sunday midday frequency increased to 30 minutes from 35 minutes.
Increased service is good for those who use these lines. Though we don’t like seeing it come at the expense of the service cuts that are being made as part of the BRT implementation. And the forced transfers make transit less convenient and more unpredictable in terms of travel time. This same comment can be said for the changes being made to the 61B, 71B, 82, 87, P1, P7.
61B-Braddock-Swissvale – Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed. Sunday midday frequency increased to 30 minutes from 35 minutes.
71B-Highland Park – Additional weekday and weekend trip times have been added and some trip times have changed.
82-Lincoln – Frequency increased to 16 minutes from 20 minutes during the morning and evening peak hours.
87-Friendship – Additional weekday trips have been added and some weekday and weekend trip times have changed.
P1-East Busway-All Stops – Additional weekday trips have been added and some weekday and weekend trip times have changed. Frequency increased to 8 minutes from 12 minutes during the morning and evening peak hours.
P7-McKeesport Flyer – An additional trip was added to the weekday morning and evening peak, increasing frequency to 25 minutes from 30 minutes.
The bad (the missed opportunities)
The 61D-Murray will stop servicing Uptown and Downtown. It will turn around at Robinson Street, turn right onto Craft, and left onto Forbes Avenue. It will be renamed 61D-Murray Short. Additionally, some weekday and weekend trip times are changing. Sunday mid-day frequency will decrease to 30 minutes from 20 minutes.
This change makes it harder for people to ride transit because it forces transfers (which makes transit more unpredictable and increases travel time) and it forces double fares for peopel who are paying in cash. And we say this same comment for the 71A, 71C, and 71D changes that are being proposed this round too. You can read details about why riders are against these changes here. More than 100 riders came out the PRT’s meeting last week to speak up, and we’re rallying again on 9/29 before PRT’s board meeting to call for improvements, not cuts: RSVP here to join us.
The 71A-Negley will stop servicing Uptown and Downtown. It will turn around at Robinson Street and travel outbound in the contraflow lane on Fifth Avenue. It will be renamed the 71A-Negley Short.
The 71C-Point Breeze will stop servicing Uptown and Downtown. It will turn around at Robinson Street and travel outbound in the contraflow lane on Fifth Avenue. It will be renamed the 71C-Point Breeze Short. Additionally, some weekday and weekend trip times have changed.
The 71D-Hamilton will stop servicing Uptown and Downtown. It will turn around at Robinson Street and travel outbound in the contraflow lane on Fifth Avenue. It will be renamed the 71D-Hamilton Short. Additionally, some weekday and weekend trip times have changed.
To streamline and condense schedules, some bus stops have been removed from the online and paper schedules. Those stops will continue to be served.
Removing times from the schedules makes it harder for people to use transit. We issued this statement on the subject of timepoint removal earlier this year when they started taking them off the schedule, and we still stand by it. PRT should make it easier, not harder, for people to understand how to use the system.
61C-McKeesport-Homestead – Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed. Sunday morning and evening frequency decreased to 45 minutes from 40 minutes.
Service is again being decreased on the 61Cs. The 61Cs have lost a considerable amount of service the start of the pandemic.
2-Mount Royal – The Grant Avenue Bridge detour via Evergreen Road has been made permanent and incorporated into schedules.
Inbound stops Discontinued for 2-Mount Royal
Outbound stops Discontinued for 2-Mount Royal
North at Elizabeth (Stop #1140)
Grant at #114 (Stop #1201)
North at Freemont (Stop #1141)
Grant at Sheridan (Stop #1202)
North at Grant (Stop #1142)
Grant at Sherman (Stop #1203)
Grant at Black (Stop #22613)
Grant at Black (Stop #1204)
Grant at Sherman (Stop #1144)
Grant at North (Stop #1205)
Grant opp School (Stop #1145)
North at Lincoln (Stop #1206)
Grant at E. Ohio (Stop #1146)
North at Elizabeth (Stop #1207)
North at Klopfer (Stop #1208)
The situation in Millvale is not good for transit riders or the community. The 2’s route regularly runs through Millvale’s central business district. Unfortunately, a bridge along that route recently failed inspection and can no-longer safely carry buses. Now, the County, the State, and the Municipality are all at odds about who’s going to pay for the repair and riders are forced to put up with longer walks and continued uncertainty. So although its good that the modified route will mean that the buses will show up on some of the real time arrival apps, which will make arrivals more predictable, the big question we have is what stops are going to be added on the detoured portion on Evergreen? Without added stops, people in Millvale have precarious access to transit and they deserve better. With the historically high levels of infrastructure funding now available from the Infrastructure Bill, riders deserve to see change quickly. If you live in Millvale or take the 2, please share your Transit Trouble story and help Pittsburghers for Public Transit advocate for change.
77-Penn Hills – Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed. Inbound buses to downtown will travel via Bigelow Boulevard between Sixth and Liberty avenues.
Inbound Stops Discontinued for 77-Penn Hills
Chatham St at Centre Ave (Stop #8585)
Sixth Ave at Fifth Ave (Stop #18799)
Fifth Ave at Ross St (Stop #20293)
Fifth Ave at Grant St NS (Stop #17764)
Fifth Ave at Smithfield St (Stop #20691)
Fifth Ave at Wood St NS (Stop #18800)
Outbound Stops Established for 77-Penn Hills
Inbound Stops Established for 77-Penn Hills
Liberty Ave at Gateway #4 (Stop #20295)
Sixth Ave at Smithfield St (Stop #3158)
Sixth Ave at Wood St (Stop #3159)
Liberty Ave at 6th NS (Shelter) (Stop #22256)
Their wording is definitely confusing on this change. But what they mean is that the inbound 77s will make a right on on Sixth, a left on Liberty to a new layover point that is being established on Liberty near Gateway T Station. The biggest upside to this is that it’s giving drivers a break at both ends of the route is a quality of life improvement for hard working operators. However, the changes also limit service for riders. Night service is being scaled back. Weeknights, the last trip will leave downtown before 11pm. Saturday last trip will be 9pm. And Sunday is being scaled back to 8pm. Not to mention that some of the discontinued stops downtown will be a hardship for some riders. Weekday first trips will get a little earlier, which is good.
89-Garfield Commons – Service to Larimer via East Liberty Blvd has been discontinued and replaced with service through Bakery Square and North Point Breeze. Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed.
Inbound Stops Discontinued for 89-Garfield Commons
Outbound Stops Discontinued for 89-Garfield Commons
East Liberty Blvd at Highland FS (Stop #20101)
East Liberty Blvd at Dahlem Pl (Stop #8541)
East Liberty Blvd at Centre Ave (Stop #20100)
East Liberty Blvd at Hamilton Ave (Stop #8542)
East Liberty Blvd at Larimer Ave (Stop #18966)
East Liberty Blvd at Frankstown Ave (Stop #8543)
East Liberty Blvd at Broad St (Stop #9342)
East Liberty Blvd at Larimer Ave (Stop #20096)
East Liberty Blvd opp Hamilton Ave (Stop #8878)
East Liberty Blvd at Negley Run Blvd (Stop #20097)
East Liberty Blvd opp Dahlem Pl (Stop #8879)
East Liberty Blvd at Highland Ave (Stop #9233)
East Liberty Blvd at Penn Ave (Stop #8880)
Penn Ave at Highland Ave (Stop #8882)
Inbound Stops Established for 89-Garfield Commons
Outbound Stops Established for 89-Garfield Commons
Highland Ave at Rippey St (New Stop)
Fifth Ave Ramp at Fifth Ave NS (Stop #17765)
Highland Ave at Broad St (Stop #17602)
Fifth Ave opp McPherson St FS (Stop #20108)
Penn Ave opp Bakery Square (Stop #8279)
Penn Ave at Bakery Square (Stop #18942)
Fifth Ave at Thomas Blvd (Stop #8320)
Highland Ave at Station St (Stop #3270)
Fifth Ave at McPherson St (Stop #20016)
Highland Ave opp Rippey St FS (New Stop)
Fifth Ave Ramp at Fifth Ave FS (Stop #16029)
Highland Ave at Penn Ave FS (New Stop)
Highland Ave at Vintage Senior Citizen Ctr (Stop #8539)
The only impact these changes will make is that riders will only lose access via this route to homes (including the Harriet Tubman Housing facility), the Kinglsey Center, the churches near Larimer Ave & East Liberty Blvd, and other businesses along Larimer Ave, Frankstown Ave, and Hamilton Ave.
P2-East Busway Short – Route will be removed and replaced with additional P1 trips.
This route cut will primarily impact riders who live, work, and run errands near the East Busway’s Hays St Ramps stops. These riders will now need to walk further from Wilkinsburg Station or wait longer for the P68 or P78.
The middle of the road… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
59-Mon Valley – Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed. Due to the closure of Century III Mall Drive, the route will now terminate at Mountain View Drive at Home Depot.
This entire change was prompted because PRT needs to move the start/end of this route from the long-neglected Century III Mall, which is now condmened. But to do that, PRT chose to stop/start the route at Home Depot on Mountain View Drive, which we think this is a huge missed opportunity because there are a number important destinataions (ALDI, a new UPMC Facility, a new Highmark facility, and others) that we imagine the buses will still be passing by on their way to/from the West Mifflin garage. This either forces riders to walk longer, more dangerous routes (sidewalks are severely lacking there and car speeds are deadly high in a vehicle heavy anti-pedestrian area), or completely severs them from these destinations. We would suggest that the route either starts/ends at Century Drive near the new UPMC/Highmark facilities or service Rt 51 and Lebanon Church Rd on the way back to the garage.
14-Ohio Valley – Some weekday trip times have changed because of rider feedback.
This change is a mixed bag. Its good to see that rider feedback being listened to. Although evening service has been restored slightly on weekdays and Saturdays, there are other places where its been dialed back. Sunday ends just before 10pm, Saturday Ends before midnight. Service frequency is abysmal for nights and weekends.
51-Carrick – Some weekend trip times have changed. Short variant trips to the Brentwood Loop were added on Saturday and Sunday, based on ridership.
Good they’re adding short trips, but that doesn’t help people farther out who need the route to access businesses and homes.
54-Northside-Oarkland-South Side – Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed based on a request from the scheduling committee.
As a note, PRT should do a better job of explaining what the “scheduling committee” is. Our best description is that its a committee made up of transit operators from the 4 different garages and the scheduling department. They meet regularly to discuss changes to the schedules. Operators who drive these routes have some of the most intimate knowledge about how these routes run. So we’re glad that PRT is taking their input into account. But unfortunately the bad part is some trips have been cut or combined with other trips, which results in some later start times, fewer trips, and longer rider wait times. Also, PRT needs to put back the timepoint at West Penn Hospital. Oakland to Bloofmield/Lawrenceville is the busiest part of the entire route, why delete this timepoint that the most riders take advantage of?
58-Greenfield – The Charles Anderson Bridge detour via Bates Street has been incorporated in the schedule.
Inbound Stops Established for 58-Greenfield
Outbound Stops Established for 58-Greenfield
Blvd Of The Allies At Bates (Nearside)
Ronald At Beechwood (Existing)
Alger At Winterburn (Existing)
Blvd Of Allies At Bates (Farside)
Halket At Louisa (Existing)
Inbound Srops Discontinued for 58-Greenfield
Outbound Stops Discontinued for 58-Greenfield
Blvd Of The Allies At Juliet
Panther Hollow Road At Bartlett (Farside)
Blvd Of The Allies At Ward
Panther Hollow Road Opp Schenley Park Pool
Blvd Of The Allies At Dawson (Farside)
Blvd Of The Allies At Dawson
Panther Hollow At Panther Hollow Bridge
Blvd Of The Allies At Ward
Greenfield At Overlook
Blvd Of The Allies At Bates
Beechwood Blvd (Greenfield) Bridge At Alger
This same comment can be said for the changes slated for the 58, 65 and the 93 listed below. All of these routes have been on detour for months now because the Charles Anderson Bridge recently failed inspection and is currently closed to all traffic, which adds 10-20 minutes depending on Bates St traffic. Adding the detour to the route schedule will improve reliability for riders because the buses will now show up on the Real-Time maps, and establishing stops for these buses now gives riders access within these communities. These changes are PRT trying to make lemonaid out of lemons and we applaud that, and we also hope that politicians can pull down bridge repair money from the new Infrastructure Bill to help get riders moving.
65-Squirrel Hill – The Charles Anderson Bridge detour via Second Avenue/Greenfield Avenue has been included in the schedule as well as new downtown routing using Liberty Avenue and Seventh Avenue. Additional stops along Greenfield Avenue have been added and some weekday run times have changed.
Inbound Stops Established for 65-Squirrel Hill
Outbound Stops Established for 65-Squirrel Hill
Blvd of the Allies at Bates FS
Blvd of the Allies at Bates NS
Blvd of the Allies at Halket FS
Greenfield Ave at Irvine St
Greenfield Ave at Overlook Dr
Greenfield Ave at Sylvan Ave
Greenfield Ave at Winterburn Ave FS
Greenfield Ave at #322
Greenfield Ave at Hoosac St FS
Greenfield Ave at Yoder St
Greenfield Ave at Lydia St FS
Greenfield Ave Hayworth St
Greenfield Ave opp Kearcher St
Greenfield Ave at Kearcher St
Greenfield Ave at Hayworth St
Greenfield Ave at Lydia St
Greenfield Ave opp Yoder St FS
Greenfield Ave at Hoosac St
Greenfield Ave at Frazier St
Greenfield Ave at Winterburn Ave
Greenfield Ave at Second Ave
Ronald St at Beechwood Blvd
Seventh Ave at Smithfield St
Liberty Ave at Market St
Liberty Ave at 7th St (Clark Bldg)
Liberty Ave at Wood St
Liberty Ave at 5th Ave
Seventh Ave at William Penn Pl
Liberty Ave at Wyndham Grand Hotel
Liberty Ave at Gateway #4
Inbound stops Discontinued for 65-Squirrel Hill
Outbound stops Discontinued for 65-Squirrel Hill
Panther Hollow at Bartlett FS
Blvd of the Allies at Juliet
Panther Hollow opp Schenley Park Pool
Blvd of the Allies at Ward
Blvd of the Allies at Dawson
Blvd of the Allies at Dawson FS
Blvd of the Allies at Ward
Panther Hollow at Panther Hollow Bridge FS
Blvd of the Allies at Bates
Stanwix opp Fourth Ave
Bluff St at Stevenson St
Blvd of the Allies at Market St
Stevenson St at Locust St
Blvd of the Allies at Wood St
Stevenson St at Forbes Ave
Blvd of the Allies at Smithfield St
Stevenson St at Fifth Ave
Fifth Ave at Magee St
Fifth Ave at Washington Pl
Fifth Ave opp Diamond St
Fifth Ave at Grant St NS
Fifth Ave at William Penn Pl FS
Fifth Ave at Wood St NS
Fifth Ave opp McMasters Way
Stanwix St opp Fourth Ave
67-Monroeville – Some Sunday evening trip times have changed.
79-East Hills – Some peak trips have been converted into P17 trips. Route 79 will operate between Lincoln Avenue at Verona Boulevard and Wilkinsburg Station during midday and late-evening hours. During the evening peak, inbound 79 trips will operate between Wilkinsburg Station and Lincoln Avenue at Verona Boulevard then turn into a P17 that will serve Downtown via Lincoln Avenue and the East Busway. Outbound P17 trips will operate between Downtown to Wilkinsburg Station via Lincoln Park, East Hills, and Wilkinsburg. Some Saturday trip times have changed.
Quite a few 82 trips were directly connected to the 79, so the headsign actually changed to 79 when it made it to lincoln loop, with no break inbetween. Automatic change at lincoln ave & verona blvd. Helpful for riders who rode because they were able to automatically transfer between routes. Now that these are seperated riders need to transfer, and schedules are not coordinated. Now riders going from east lib to lincoln park, Used to be able to get home from 15mins on one bus, now you need to transfer, and may need to wait for an additional 30 mins.
Linked trips between 82 and 79 have been severed. Which forces s transfer at lincoln ave and verona blvd, where before, riders would be able to keep on the same bus. Started doing this on sundays last pick, now they’re doing it all days.
86-Liberty – Some weekend trip times have changed.
Not sure why the schedulers have planned this route group so that the 88 and 87 run at the same time. Then the 86 runs ten minutes later. So riders downtown looking to go outbound have two buses that arrive at the same time, then have to wait 10 minutes for the next, then have to wait 20 minutes again. Why not just space these buses out to every 10 minutes like it used to be?
88-Penn – Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed.
93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood – Some weekday and weekend trip times have changed. The Charles Anderson Bridge detour via Second Avenue/Greenfield Avenue has been included in the schedule. Additional stops along Greenfield Avenue have been added.
Inbound Stops Established for 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood
Outbound Stops Established for 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood
Greenfield Ave at Irvine St
Greenfield Ave at Overlook Dr
Greenfield Ave at Sylvan Ave
Greenfield Ave at Winterburn Ave FS
Greenfield Ave at #322
Greenfield Ave at Hoosac St FS
Greenfield Ave at Yoder St
Greenfield Ave at Lydia St FS
Greenfield Ave Hayworth St
Greenfield Ave opp Kearcher St
Greenfield Ave at Kearcher St
Greenfield Ave at Hayworth St
Greenfield Ave at Lydia St
Greenfield Ave opp Yoder St FS
Greenfield Ave at Hoosac St
Greenfield Ave at Frazier St
Greenfield Ave at Winterburn Ave
Greenfield Ave at Second Ave
Ronald St at Beechwood Blvd
Inbound Stops Discontinued for 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood
Outbound Stops Discontinued for 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood
Blvd of Allies at Juliet St
Panther Hollow Rd at Bartlett Rd FS
Blvd of Allies at Ward St
Panther Hollow Rd opp Schenley Park Pool
Blvd of Allies at Dawson St
Blvd of Allies at Dawson St
Panther Hollow Rd at Panther Hollow Bridge FS
Blvd of Allies at Ward St
Blvd of Allies at Bates St
P17-Lincoln Park Flyer – Some weekday trip times have changed. Inbound morning peak P17 trips will operate between Wilkinsburg Station to Downtown via East Hills and Lincoln Park. Outbound P17 trips from Downtown will travel up to Lincoln Avenue at Verona Boulevard then turn into the route 79 and continue to Wilkinsburg Station.
This change is a step towards better cohesiveness and service improvements for the Lincoln Park area of Penn Hills. It lessens confusion. We hope is that service can continue to be added to the P17 to again be 7-days a week (it used to be back 10-years or so ago when it was called the LP) and give these communities a 1 seat ride into downtown. We’re glad that linked trips are expanded between the 79 and P17 (even though they were lost on the 82).
And if you want to get in touch with the volunteer-run @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline, you can give them a call at 412-759-3335 ONLY When PortAuthority Customer Service is Closed/unavailable or via Twitter anytime @PGH_BUS_INFO
The PGH Bus Info Hotline will be back on PPT’s blog in for the next set of changes. See ya then.
