In the third week of Red Line repairs, PPT members share instructions for getting around on the shuttle buses and some observations. // En la tercera semana de reparaciones de la Línea Roja, los miembros del PPT comparten instrucciones para desplazarse en los autobuses temporales y algunas observaciones.

After an abrupt disruption of the Red Line in 2022 that left riders in the cold with inconsistent shuttles and little information, no bilingual communications, community members of Beechview were determined not to have a repeat. With the scheduled maintenance this year, residents demanded to see a plan from the agency on how they could reliably get around and get clear communications in English and Spanish with updates to plan for their trips. Our members in the South Hills helped make a video on the changes and documented observations on the temporary shuttles and changes thus far. // Después de una interrupción abrupta de la Línea Roja en 2022 que dejó a los pasajeros en el frío con transportes inconsistentes y poca información, sin comunicaciones bilingües, los miembros de la comunidad de Beechview estaban decididos a que no se repitiera. Con la construcción programada para este año, los residentes exigieron ver un plan de la agencia sobre cómo podrían desplazarse de manera confiable y obtener comunicaciones claras en inglés y español con actualizaciones para planificar sus viajes. Nuestros miembros en South Hills ayudaron a hacer un video sobre los cambios y documentaron observaciones sobre los autobuses temporales y los cambios hasta el momento.

Observations made by riders recently include // Los observaciones hechas por los pasajeros recientemente incluyen: 

• Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) representatives on site at varying stops to guide riders // Representantes de Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) en el lugar en distintas paradas para guiar a los pasajeros
• Clear signage posted at stops // Señalización clara colocada en las paradas.
• The shuttle bus has arrived more than 5 minutes early on many occasions // El autobús ha llegado más de 5 minutos antes en muchas ocasiones
• Riders’ commute times have increased due to having to transfer and wait for multiple vehicles // Los tiempos de viaje de los pasajeros han aumentado debido a que tienen que hacer transbordos y esperar por varios vehículos
• When sharing the Red Line construction plan this past Spring, PRT indicated that the work would be happening in 2 phases. During the second phase, the Red Line short, running from Overbrook Junction to Dormont Junction, would extend to Potomac Station, allowing more riders to access the rails at Willow Street Station. That change was not reflected in the schedules they released a few weeks ago. // Al compartir el plan de construcción de la Línea Roja la primavera pasada, PRT indicó que el trabajo se realizaría en 2 fases. Durante la segunda fase, el corto de la Línea Roja, que va desde Overbrook Junction hasta Dormont Junction, se extendería hasta la estación Potomac, permitiendo que más pasajeros accedan a los rieles en la estación Willow Street. Ese cambio no se reflejó en los horarios que dieron a conocer hace unas semanas.
• PRT has extended their digital customer service hours by 2 hours during the week (5am-8pm) and 1 hour on the weekends (8am-5:30pm). You can reach representatives via livechat on rideprt.org or Twitter @pghtransitcare // PRT ha ampliado su horario de atención al cliente digital en 2 horas durante la semana (5 a. m. a 8 p. m.) y 1 hora los fines de semana (8 a. m. a 5:30 p. m.). Puede comunicarse con los representantes a través del chat en vivo en rideprt.org o Twitter @pghtransitcare

Our advice: Allow 20-30 minutes of extra travel time. // Nuestro consejo: calcule entre 20 y 30 minutos adicionales de tiempo de viaje.

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Have observations you’d like to share about your commutes on the shuttle buses? We want to hear them! ¿Tiene observaciones que le gustaría compartir sobre sus viajes en los autobuses? ¡Queremos escucharlos!

Sign the petition! Demand PennDOT make McKnight Rd safe for all people to move!

PennDOT is about to begin a $25 million improvement project on McKnight Rd. Not a single dollar is being spent on improving sidewalks or transit access. While we understand that infrastructure upgrades are important, we demand that plans for upgrades include access and safety for pedestrians and transit riders. 

PRT bus stops for the 12 McKnight and 012 McKnight Flyer are being eliminated at Stevens Drive and Brookview Lane, leaving riders no choice but to walk or roll their mobility device farther up along the shoulder of McKnight Rd to catch their buses. Bus stops are not the only things being eliminated by this plan, the breaks in the median that allow pedestrians to cross the 4-lane road are also permanently closing. This leaves pedestrians, who already faced extreme vulnerability on this road, exposed to a greater chance of being struck by a vehicle.

Sign the petition to demand that PennDOT restore the PRT stops after construction and build better pedestrian infrastructure into these improvements!

PPT Member Morgan Cikowski had an opportunity to work full-time as a PPT Community Organizing Intern. Read what she learned about beginning organizing best practices.

Hello World! My name is Morgan and I am the Activism Team Lead at Patagonia Pittsburgh. I was excited to work with a grassroots organization like Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) because I have been a public transit rider for almost ten years and have deep relationships with other community based organizations, like Grow Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Prison Book Project, who are making change in Allegheny County. 

While with PPT, I was directly involved in many projects and pieces of current campaigns including:

• Inviting and preparing for PPT Monthly Meetings, both in-person and virtually.

• PPT Transit Service Campaign – I went out with PPT members and staff to speak with and listen to riders who were affected by the service cuts on the 61A, 71A, 71C, and 71D under Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. 

• Public Testimony – I helped contact riders we spoke to after the canvasses and helped them to prepare to share how the service cuts would affect their lives in front of the PRT Board.

• 2024 Strategic Planning and Transit Service Vision – I lead a breakout group in October asking PPT members what we want to work towards in 2024. 

New to organizing? So was I! Here are three things I learned about how to organize your community.

Number 1 – It’s okay to not know!

When I first started, I was worried about my lack of knowledge. I didn’t know the “ins and outs” of PRT’s system. I didn’t grow up in Pittsburgh and was unfamiliar with many routes. The reality is, you’re going to encounter a lot of people who know more than you. Don’t be intimidated – embrace it!

So much of organizing is actually just listening. Organizers provide a space for people to share their stories, and find a way to make those stories heard by the community, and ultimately, the people in power.

Number 2 – Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Looking back, I definitely have a small list of mistakes! Missed follow ups, awkward conversations, disorganization. Don’t sweat the small stuff! Being honest about what you know and need help with is the key to building trust with your team. Other folks can fill in the gaps of knowledge for you. The whole “practice makes perfect” thing is actually true. It’s going to get easier!

Number 3 – Jump in! You have no idea how much your help is appreciated!

Grassroots movements need YOU! Many local community organizations are small in size, and get a lot of their momentum from volunteers and active members. Things like handing out fliers, calling fellow members, or creating artwork are so incredibly helpful. Those may sound simple, but taking tasks off of a staffers plate does not go unnoticed. Much more is possible when there are more hands on deck.

So what now?

Get involved in organizing with PPT!

https://bit.ly/pptgetinvolved

Register to join us on October 11th to create our 2024 Strategic Plan