Campaigns

PITTSBURGH 100 DAYS TRANSIT PLATFORM

As a new administration takes the helm at the City of Pittsburgh, it is time for an ambitious yet achievable vision for what public transit can do for our city. Even though day-to-day operations are managed by the Port Authority, there is a lot that the City can do a lot to improve public transit; from setting policy around affordable housing to prioritizing sidewalks and bus shelters, to directing staff time. Together with dozens of residents and organizations across the city, PPT is working with the new Mayoral Administration to ensure all residents have the freedom to move. Check out the campaign and its supporters here.

RIDERS VISION FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT

PPT is fueled by massive volunteer effort and a small-yet-mighty staff.  Much of our work revolves around “The Riders Vision for Public Transit“, a grassroots campaign plan that was put together in the Spring of 2018. It calls for some ambitious yet achievable improvements to the transit system that we are working towards in 2019 and 2020. Check out more about these planks and our other ongoing campaigns below:

Beyond the East Busway

Our Busways provide the best service in the county. We must expand this network beginning with the communities most in need. Click on the link above to explore our grassroots planning tool to build a vision for better transit in the Mon-Valley and eastern suburbs.

Affordable Fare Reform

A fair fare structure builds equity, dignity, and gives our neighbors the freedom to move. Riders have been leading the call around fare reform for years – with campaigns against armed police guards as fare enforcers, rallies for lower fares, and petitions for free transfers. In January ’20, these riders launched the #FairFares Policy Platform to fuel the fight for equitable transit.

Affordable Housing + Transit

Housing and transit go hand in hand. The housing crisis in Pittsburgh is pushing more and more residents, particularly low income and black and brown residents, out of the city into transit deserts. The isolation of being in far-flung communities without any means to transport adds to the trauma of displacement and is unacceptable. Pittsburghers deserve controle over development in their neighborhoods and a guarentee that their famlies will still be able to access affordable housing options.

IMPACT OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES ON OUR COMMUNITIES

In addition to the Riders Vision for Public Transit, PPT has been taking a close look at how autonomous vehicles are being deployed in the city and demanding that people in Pittsburgh have a seat at the table.

Wait, who’s Driving This Thing? Bringing the Public to the Autonomous Vehicle Table

We at PPT believe that we are long overdue for a public discussion of the impacts of Autonomous Vehicles. This is a conversation that should begin by examining our shared values and considering whether AV are truly the best way to address our collective needs. Click on the link to find out what we learned about the impacts of autonomous vehicles on jobs, mobility, public transit, the environment, pedestrian and bike safety, and data privacy.

Mon Oakland Connector

The city has proposed a micro transit shuttle and road through Schenley Park connecting the Hazelwood Green Development and Oakland. Our neighbors know how to improve mobility for our communities. For years, our neighbors in Hazelwood, Four Mile Run, Greenfield, Panther Hollow, Squirrel Hill and the surrounding communities have put forward ideas to improve our mobility:

    • accessible sidewalks

    • expanded transit service
    • bike trail connections
    • safe pedestrian crossings on busy streets

Time and time again, we’ve been told that there is no money to make those plans a reality. However, the City is now pushing forward a multi-million dollar mobility project instead of our communities’ solutions. The City’s Mon-Oakland Connector plan would build a roadway through Schenley Park for private companies to operate “micromobility” connections between the Universities and the Hazelwood Green development site.

Neighbors in these communities have put together an alternate plan that calls for investment in needs that have been documented for years. Its time our public money and officials support these priorities. Our Money, Our Solutions! Sign the petition to support these community-generated solutions.

FUNDING FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT IN PITTSBURGH

Almost all of the current funding for public transit in Allegheny County comes from individuals who are paying taxes, user fees, and fares. Major corporations and institutions benefit directly from the transit system but are not contributing to it. Read our white papers on how institutions and corporations could support our public transit system by paying taxes that support transit directly and by providing passes as a perk of employment. See more about this campaign here.