Image Description: 10 PPT Members and transit advocates smile at the camera, sitting in the back of a PRT bus. Some are wearing red PPT shirts and yellow PPT pins, and one is making a peace sign.

On April 25-26, 2025, Pittsburghers for Public Transit hosted our 2nd annual National Transit Advocacy Spring Training with nearly 100 attendees from across the country. 

It was powerful, y’all! PPT has made an annual commitment to hosting the National Transit Advocacy Spring Training because we know that it will take all of us to address the rising tide of fascism, to overcome hopelessness and fear and isolation, and to win more abundant transit and not merely manage decline. Grassroots community organizing is our power, and we’re committed to growing that power, together. 

Image Description: 13 PPT Members and transit advocates smile at the camera, some raising their fists in victory, some making a peace sign. The group, including 2 power chair users and a service dog, stands outside the PPT office on a sunny day.

Developed as a “Labor Notes” style organizing training with 6 interactive workshops, a transit and a walking/rolling tour, Opening Plenary and storybooth, Spring Training was a full two day Convening! Transit riders and workers shared skills and built community across geographies, age, race and ability.

You can check out our album of Spring Training photos here!

Our goals for Spring Training were to:

• Develop and share organizing skills among the transit rider and worker rank-and-file

• Create leadership opportunities for transit riders and workers locally and across the country through workshop and panel facilitation and storytelling

• Build community: there is no substitute for being together in person to learn, to build relationships, and to party!

• To fulfill our obligations as a community union of transit riders to our member-ratified 2025 Strategic Plan

The workshops included sessions on “Developing Strong Transit Worker-Rider Alliances”, “MI, MD and PA Case Studies: Statewide Funding Fights for the Transit Service We Deserve”, and “How to Facilitate Excellent Community Meetings and Navigate Conflict in the Moment.” Facilitators in all the sessions shared valuable organizing tools and examples from the front of the room, then opened space for discussion, small group scenario workshopping, and individual campaign reflections. 

Weren’t able to catch all the sessions? You can find slides from the sessions here.

We are thrilled about seeing so many of our transit organizing siblings from around the country! Shoutout to transit riders who travelled and offered their wisdom from:  

• Disability Rights Washington
• Seattle Transit Riders Union
• Detroit Transportation Riders United
• Kansas City Sunrise Movement
• Richmond Rapid Transit
• No Boundaries Coalition (Baltimore)
• Bike Durham
• Labor Network for Sustainability
• Philly Transit Riders Union
• Transit Columbus
• Clevelanders for Public Transit
• TransitCenter
• Transit for All PA (Central PA)!

Lastly, we are an Access-Centered Community, and believe that accessibility is a learning process. We really want to hear from all the folks that joined us for this year’s National Transit Advocacy Spring Training, to know what resonated for you and how we can improve on the content and accessibility next year!

If you came to our 2025 Spring Training, share your reflections on the 2025 National Transit Advocacy Spring Training here.

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 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.

Learn a little more about Clair by reading her bio and some interview answers below.

Clair Hopper is thrilled to join Pittsburghers for Public Transit in an official capacity! Clair has deep family roots in the area and moved to Pittsburgh in 2021 from Houston, Texas, where she first got involved with climate and transportation justice. Like many Houstonians, Clair’s first exposure to community organizing was through disaster relief, when Hurricane Harvey interrupted her junior year of undergrad and opened up the world of mutual aid and solidarity through crisis. 

Clair made a career transition from arts education to climate and transportation justice when Houston’s worsening storms impeded her students’ ability to access education. At the same time, she joined Stop TxDOT I-45, a grassroots movement to prevent the expansion and relocation of 23 miles of Houston’s deadliest highway–a move that would displace thousands of Black and Brown Houstonians while irrevocably harming the region’s climate and environment.

With Stop TxDOT, Clair coordinated communications and assisted with direct action planning and research efforts. She also organized a walk and rally to build solidarity between communities affected by the proposed expansion, and in 2021, helped coordinate a large free food, water, and cash distribution effort in those communities after Winter Storm Uri collapsed Texas’s power grid. She will never forget the lessons learned during this terrifying and beautiful time: that even in the most destabilizing crises, beauty and transformation can be found in caring for our neighbors.

Clair came to Pittsburgh to pursue a master’s degree in Environmental History, writing a thesis on the past, present, and future of urban “renewal” and community development in Pittsburgh. Clair developed a chronic illness in 2019, and her organizing is deeply informed by her lived experience of inhabiting a sleepy, pained, disabled body. She knows that our ability to care for each other stems directly from our ability to care for ourselves: rest, sweetness, and intentionality are what build our communal roots strong enough to weather any storm.

The PPT team is excited to have you on board! What drew you to the work PPT is doing? 

When I moved to Pittsburgh, I knew I needed to find a home in transportation activism, and PPT was right there from the beginning! I was so excited to find an organization that was rooted in not only transportation policy, but also disability justice, economic justice, racial justice, and environmental justice–in other words, a truly intersectional justice project. I am also so inspired by PPT’s longevity as an organization, and their commitment to decentralized, democratic organizing. 

I had the opportunity to deepen my connection with PPT through a 2023 service term (administered by Repair the World Pittsburgh), where I helped design and administer a process for crafting a truly member-led strategic plan. It was thrilling to see how directly members can influence the decisions PPT makes, and I knew I wanted to make PPT my political home.

What work are you excited to do? What victories do you think you’ll help us win in the coming months?

I’m so excited to do communications work again–I love to write and design, and even better when I get to write and design for people and a cause that I love! 

It’s been a hell of a first couple months with PPT–about 2 weeks after I first joined the staff, PRT announced its proposal for once-in-a-generation service cuts that could decimate our system if the state transit budget isn’t increased. It’s been an absolute whirlwind, and I’ve thrown down with the rest of the team to coordinate rallies, lobbying efforts, and community agitation around this critical fight. I’m shocked and delighted to see how much progress we’ve made in the past weeks; since I’ve joined, we’ve grown our network of supporters by about 10,000 people! So, to answer the question–I think we’ll win transit funding for all PA!

What’s your experience with transit? What routes have you ridden during different parts of your life? How has the experience varied between cities where you’ve lived and visited?

I’ve been in too many bad car crashes and know too much about climate change to want to drive if I can at all avoid it. My disabled body loves the bus–it is such a relief to have a lift when I’m too nauseous or in pain to walk, bike, or drive to work (or the store, or the doctor’s, or wherever). I also love getting to know my neighbors, and every city looks its best when seen through a bus window! 

In Houston, the bus system is excellent–despite lots of systemic walkability issues, the buses are frequent, reliable, easy to decipher, and can get you across a city almost the size of Rhode Island for $1.25. The bus helped me explore my city, learn my way around, and grow my independence as a college student. It was also a radicalizing experience to navigate Houston, a place with massive four-lane streets even in residential neighborhoods, as a pedestrian. I was often the only person walking on the sidewalk, sweating profusely and praying a driver didn’t squish me. No better way to learn the life-or-death consequences of the built environments we choose to make! Even though we don’t face the same type of challenges in Pittsburgh, I learned that it’s easy to organize for a better city when you live the shortcomings firsthand. 

What inspires you? What gives you energy that you want to share with others?

This might sound counterintuitive, but the thing that gives me the most energy and inspiration is rest. 

When I first got sick in 2019, I had to learn the hard way to slow down–walk slower, do fewer things, say no to opportunities. This was such a painful lesson to learn. But it came with a beautiful lesson, too. If you’re not running at a thousand miles an hour, you notice what makes your corner of the world wonderful. If you walk slowly through Frick Park, you notice that there’s mushrooms everywhere, and you start to wonder what their names are, and then you start to learn more about the natural world that sustains you. If you introduce rest into your organizing, you have time to reflect on what’s working well, what patterns your work is reinforcing, and importantly, which directions you can grow in. That’s the energy that makes life delicious to live, and that’s the energy I aim to bring to my work.

What is your favorite pump-up song?

Molasses by Haitus Kaiyote–Makes me want to dance when I’m sick. Reminds me that life can be gorgeous even when it’s painful!

Yesterday, at the first day of PRT’s public hearings about the proposed devastating service cuts in response to the state budget crisis, hundreds of transit riders, workers, and advocates joined elected officials and PRT leadership to demand service and funding that moves all of Pennsylvania. 

Take Action to Stop the Cuts:

• Send a letter to your state elected officials to stop the cuts! 
• RSVP to our June 4th Rally & Lobby Day at the state capitol!
• Leave a public comment with PRT in defense of our system!
• Spread the word & organize your community!
• Become a PPT member to fund our work!

High school students, small business owners, disability advocates, the mayor of Pittsburgh, state senators and representatives, the CEO of Pittsburgh Regional Transit, the president of Pittsburgh’s Amalgamated Transit Union local, and advocates from across Allegheny County: all of these people stood under the same banner on the afternoon of April 29th, calling for expanded, equitable transit funding that moves all of us–from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. 

In the face of massively insufficient funding from the state budget, Transit for All PA!, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, and Mobilify Southwestern PA hosted a rally in Downtown Pittsburgh in support of expanded, equitable funding for systems across the state, including PRT. Speakers included PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman, ATU Local 85 President Ross Nicotero, Mayor Ed Gainey, State Rep. Lindsay Powell, State Senator Lindsey Williams, and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. Also present were high school students from nearby City Charter High and Creative and Performance Arts School (CAPA), disability advocates from across the county, and transit riders who gave public testimony about the ways PRT helps their communities thrive.  

The rally rounded out a day full of vocal support for PRT, including comments made by PPT members, Transit for All PA! supporters, students, and more. Read more about the rally and hearing in some of the media covering the event. Mayor Ed Gainey summed up the impact of PRT’s proposed cuts with a strong message to Harrisburg: “Don’t take our lifeline. Fund our lifeline. Invest in our people.” 

• Union Progress: Emotional testimony, Democratic funding proposal highlight hearing on transit cuts by Ed Blazina
• TribLive: ‘Our region stands to lose something’: Students, residents rally in hopes of halting PRT cuts by Megan Swift
• WESA: Pittsburgh Public Transit riders rally against ‘devastating’ service cuts, fare increases by Julia Zenkevich
• WTAE: ‘Save Our Service’ rally held on first day of PRT public hearings by Yazmin Rodriguez

After months of sustained pressure from the public, including over 100,000 letters sent to state elected officials on this issue, members of the Pennsylvania Senate and House have released memos proposing the passage of a Transit for All PA funding solution, which would protect and expand transit funding for all systems across Pennsylvania. 

Transit for All PA! Will be hosting a rally and lobbying day at the state capitol on June 4th in support of these funding measures. 

Ready to Fight for Transit that Moves us All?

• Send a letter to your state elected officials to stop the cuts! 
• RSVP to our June 4th Rally & Lobby Day at the state capitol!
• Leave a public comment with PRT in defense of our system!
• Spread the word & organize your community!
• Become a PPT member to fund our work!

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

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 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!

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 

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:

Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s #VoteTransit Mayoral Candidate Forum and “Transit 25/25/25 Goal” for all candidates running to be our municipal leaders.

Español Abajo

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 

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.

[Image Description: Black text reads “Breaking: PRT proposes devastating transit service cuts. Our coalition has a better idea.” on a white background with a red star. Below, many hands hold up colorful signs that read “Transit for All PA!”, “Transit Moves Us”, and “Dignity for Intercity Bus Riders”.]

Devestating cuts to transit service have been proposed in Allegheny County. The time is now to learn more and take action!

Our entire region needs a good transit system in order to function–whether you’re taking ACCESS to your doctor’s office from McKeesport, or taking the T to work from the South Hills. The state government has proposed a budget $100 million short of what Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) needs to maintain current service levels–which are already 20% less than what they were five years ago. 

On March 20th, PRT announced the cuts they would have to make in order to operate under the proposed budget, and we’re not gonna lie–they’re bleak. If enacted, the cuts would gut paratransit, shrink or eliminate 95 lines, and bring fare hikes across the board. These cuts would hit hardest for our disabled community, elders, and folks with no other transportation options.

But transit riders and workers are ready with a response that meets the scale of the crisis. 

Our statewide coalition, Transit For All PA!, is organizing thousands of riders across the state to push for a new, dedicated funding source for public transit in the state budget. From Pittsburgh to Pottstown, Erie to Philly, we all need abundant, protected public transportation. And we can win it, together! 

Use our tool to email your state elected officials, and mark your calendar for our statewide call on April 2nd, where we’ll lay out our platform and put it into action together.

Then, keep reading under the cut for our guide to the biggest impacts these proposed cuts would have on our region. Remember, better transit–not worse–is possible, necessary, and transformative. We’re ready to bring this challenge to our state elected leaders: are you ready to meet this moment with us?

---

Now that you’ve taken action, let’s get into the nitty gritty. What exactly did PRT propose at their board meeting on March 20th? You can watch a recording of the meeting here, or you can keep reading for our guide to the biggest impacts: 

General & Infrastructural Impacts

Let’s start at a high level. PRT has already lost 36% of its service and 50% of its riders in the last two decades, and these proposed cuts would remove even more from our already service-starved region. 

In PRT’s own estimation, the proposed cuts would have a devastating effect on our region as a whole, with disabled riders and night shift workers particularly impacted: 

• All service after 11 PM will be eliminated, leaving night shift workers with no way to get home
• Half of PRT’s bus garages, Collier and Ross garages, would have to close–a major blow to operator jobs across the system
• 180,000 residents and 50,000 jobs would lose access to public transit
• St. Clair Hospital, CCAC West campus, and many K-12 schools would lose service completely
• Downtown Pittsburgh would lose 30% of service, and the Pittsburgh airport will lose 63% 
• These cuts would hit hardest for those who have no other way to get around 
• The Bus Line Redesign project that we have been working so hard on would be eliminated
• Three bridges, ten park and ride lots, and the Wabash tunnel would close entirely 

On top of all this, such drastic service cuts would also create a traffic crush on our streets, and more crowding on buses and trains–as well as worsening impacts to climate change and air pollution by forcing more people into personal vehicles.

Service Cuts & Fare Hikes

PRT also proposed major cuts and fare increases to both fixed-route and paratransit services across the region. 

Paratransit Impacts

[Image Description: a map of Allegheny County showing communities that would lose paratransit service guarantees under the proposed cuts. There is a blue shape overlaid on the center of the county that shows areas that would retain service, which extends out to small pieces of several communities in all directions.]

The above map shows the devastating changes to Allegheny County’s paratransit service under the proposed cuts. The blue zone shows areas that are within the minimum-standard ADA service zone; in these areas, service frequency and reliability would remain the same, but it would be 62% smaller than it currently is today. 

In the pink zones of the map, paratransit riders would lose service protection–in other words, there would be no guarantee that paratransit could pick them up at the time or day that they need to make a trip. They could be told that their ride wouldn’t be available until three hours later than needed, or they could be told that they couldn’t get a ride at all. This is an unacceptably bad proposal for our disabled community. Riders could be left stranded on their way to doctor’s offices, jobs, grocery stores, and more–or forced to pay up for a car or an accessible taxi/rideshare. Paratransit is a lifeline, and to shrink it by the proposed 62% would be a massive blow.

On top of these massive service cuts, paratransit fares would increase between 14% and 24%, depending on the length of the ride–bringing the cost of a ride between $3.90 and $6.00 for most riders. 

Impacts on Fixed Route Transit (Bus, T, and Incline)

When it comes to fixed-route bus, T, and incline service, fixed-route fares would increase 9%, bringing a regular fare from $2.75 to $3.00.

PRT proposed a 35% decrease in service across the board. The map below shows affected areas, with pink areas losing transit altogether.

[Image Description: a map of Allegheny County showing communities that would lose all service under the proposed cuts in pink.]

Below is a chart with proposed changes to weekly service:

Fixed-route service would be cut entirely from 19 municipalities and 3 Pittsburgh neighborhoods:

This is overwhelming! What should I do?

These cuts don’t have to happen–we can still act now to save our system! If you haven’t already, use our tool to contact your elected officials. Then, sign up for our statewide organizing call where we’ll start to put the pressure on the state government to champion transit funding for big cities and small towns alike. 

Stay tuned to our newsletter, blog, and social media for more updates as they develop!