Thank you for helping us shape the future of transit justice in Pittsburgh!

Every year, our grassroots union engages in a collaborative planning process to chart a path for our growth in the coming year. We brainstorm ideas for our internal organizational development to create goals for how we support our members and build up the PPT family. We also brainstorm ideas for campaigns we can take on to win improvements to benefit transit riders and our communites – things like making fares more affordable, improving service, or building better sidewalks and more affordable housing.

This ongoing collaborative process between our membership, our committees, our board of directors and our staff is what makes our work so special. Everyone has a voice in our plan and everyone plays a part in making it a success.

Below are 6 target areas we want to focus on in 2025, and some ideas for specific goals within each area. We want to hear your input on them, so please share your opinions and wisdom below.

For each of the 6 goals, consider these questions as you give your feedback:

• What needs to be changed or added to this plan? 
• What parts feel particularly aligned with PPT? What parts get you fired up for the year to come?
• What seems most important to prioritize over the coming year? 
• How will we measure success?

All feedback is welcome–after all, you’re the expert on your own experience riding local transit!

For each step, share any thoughts you have about the listed target area and goals. If you don’t have anything to write, just write “n/a”. 

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¡Gracias por ayudarnos a dar forma al futuro de la justicia de transporte público en Pittsburgh!

Cada año, nuestro sindicato de base participa en un proceso de planificación colaborativa para trazar un camino para nuestro crecimiento el próximo año. Realizamos una lluvia de ideas para nuestro desarrollo organizacional interno para crear objetivos sobre cómo apoyamos a nuestros miembros y fortalecemos la familia PPT. También hicimos una lluvia de ideas para campañas que podemos emprender para lograr mejoras que beneficien a los usuarios del transporte público y a nuestras comunidades, cosas como hacer que las tarifas sean más asequibles, mejorar el servicio o construir mejores aceras y viviendas más asequibles.

Este proceso de colaboración continuo entre nuestros miembros, nuestros comités, nuestra junta directiva y nuestro personal es lo que hace que nuestro trabajo sea tan especial. Todos tienen voz en nuestro plan y todos desempeñan un papel para que sea un éxito.

A continuación se presentan seis áreas de objetivos en las que queremos centrarnos en 2025 y algunas ideas para objetivos específicos dentro de cada área. Queremos escuchar su opinión sobre ellos, así que comparta sus opiniones y sabiduría a continuación.

Para cada uno de los 6 objetivos, considere estas preguntas mientras brinda su opinión:

• ¿Qué es necesario cambiar o agregar a este plan?
• ¿Qué partes se sienten particularmente alineadas con PPT?
• ¿Qué partes le entusiasman para el próximo año?
• ¿Qué le parece más importante priorizar durante el próximo año? ¿Cómo vamos a medir el éxito?

Todos los comentarios son bienvenidos; después de todo, ¡usted es el experto de su propia experiencia viajando en transporte público!

Para cada paso, comparta cualquier idea que tenga sobre el área objetivo y los objetivos enumerados. Si no tienes nada que escribir, simplemente escribe “n/a”.

Public transit is a public good that needs to work for everyone. With PRT’s Bus Line Redesign that proposes changes to nearly every route, every stop, and every schedule, the time is now for transit advocates to support a redesign that works for all. Before you go any further, sign-on to support this vision today:

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THE CHEAT SHEET: Use this PPT Cheat Sheet for Reading the Bus Line Redesign (& Share Your Feedback with Us!)

PRT’s Bus Line Redesign proposal is a LOT to consider, with changes to nearly every route, schedule, and bus stop. That’s why we at Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) have created a little cheat sheet to help us consider the different ways that this proposed Bus Line Redesign impacts our transit trips.

We encourage everyone to review the PRT Bus Line Redesign Draft Proposal here or join PRT at one of their upcoming pop-ups to learn more and ask questions in person. You can use the Cheat Sheet below to understand how changes will impace your access to friends and neighbors, businesses, and key community destinations. We also encourage you to share your feedback with us to help us assess what we like about this proposal and what we should organize to change.

When reviewing and giving feedback on PRT’s draft redesign, make sure that you’re considering and speaking up on all these points:

1. GOOD THINGS 🚌🚌 What are the good things about the Bus Line Redesign that are important for you and your community to KEEP in the final proposal?

2. SERVICE QUALITY 🚌🚌 How do the proposed Bus Route Frequencies (how often the buses come) and Span (how early and late the buses are being scheduled for on weekdays and weekends) impact you and your community?

3. KEY DESTINATIONS 🚌🚌 What key destinations are being missed by this Bus Line Redesign proposal (eg. housing, healthcare, food access, social services, places of worship, parks, education and childcare etc)?

4. COMMUTE TIMES 🚌🚌 Do you have concerns about the length of trips to get to key destinations in this proposed map?

5. ACCESSIBILITY 🚌🚌 Are there any safety and accessibility issues with bus stops and nearby sidewalks and street crossings to get to destinations from the transit stops?

6. OTHER THOUGHTS 🚌🚌 Do you have any other concerns (particularly equity concerns) or suggestions about the Bus Line Redesign that aren’t captured by the above questions? 

Review the PRT Bus Line Redesign Draft Proposal here and make sure to join PRT at one of their upcoming pop-ups to learn more and ask questions in person.

Now, with that framework, take a minute to review PRT’s Bus Line Redesign or stop by one of the pop-ups below and then use the form below to tell us what you’re seeing! We at PPT want to develop a thoughtful, holistic public response that is informed by your knowledge. 

Join PPT for a CLOSER LOOK AT THE BUS LINE REDESIGN on November 13th @ 7pm

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Your Action is Needed to Ensure PRT’s Bus Line Redesign Serves Our Communties

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) has released the first draft of the Bus Line Redesign (BLR). This new design contains the most substantial service changes proposed in our lifetime. Tens of thousands of people who use the system every day will be affected.

The redesign proposes a completely redrawn map of where transit routes will run. It includes new schedules for how frequently and how late at night buses and trains operate, and even proposes renaming all the routes in the system. Such sweeping changes have the potential for significant disruption and harm especially to  predominantly marginalized communities.

It is critical to get the Bus Line Redesign right. We are committed to advocating and collaborating for an outcome that benefits all, so that we can celebrate progress together when an equitable Bus Line Redesign is implemented

Here’s how you can help us organize for the best possible outcome.

1. Sign on to the letter & share your story
2. Read our new advocacy report on Draft 1.0 of the Bus Line Redesign
3. Check out our tools
4. Spread the word
5. Enter your public comments with Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT)

1. Sign on to the letter

Riders and workers are organizing to demand these three things:

1. Don’t rush the implementation
2. Simplify the proposal to improve community engagement and gather meaningful feedback
3. The Bus Line Redesign should prioritize service to low-income communities, older adults and people with disabilities, youth, and Black and Brown riders.

Please sign on to this letter urging PRT to meet these requirements

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2. Read our new advocacy report on Draft 1.0 of the Bus Line Redesign

After a tremendous effort, the research team developed seven key recommendations to help assure we end up with the best redesign. You can read it all in the Roadmap to a Bus Line Redesign for All report.

A heartfelt shout-out to Garrison Chan, Emily Howe, Tayveon K. Smith, Bobbie Fan, Andrew Hussein, Christina Mendoza, Thomas Quinn, Bill McDowell, Abhishek Viswanathan, James Larson, CMU Tech4Society, Patrick Xue, Cody Berger and Ziggy Edwards for their hard work and diligence.

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3. Check Out Our Tools

The research team has also gone the extra mile and developed a number of online tools to help you learn what this massive redesign means for you as a rider.  Use them to understand what the redesign’s changes will do to your neighborhood and your commute.

The Commute Calculator.

With this tool you can compare the specific commute time you have now with what it will be after the redesign.  The research team has laid out a step-by-step procedure that works for your unique situation.

A Summary of Neighborhood impacts.

Here the team took a deep dive into what the changes in the redesign will mean for a range of specific neighborhoods.  Check this list to see if your neighborhood is on it and, if so, what the impacts of the upcoming changes will be in detail for you and your neighbors.

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4. Spread the Word

You can help spread the word to your neighbors that we are organizing for a Bus Line Redesign that benefits all.

Last month a dozen PPT Members posted hundreds of flyers in all corners of Allegheny County asking riders to speak up for a Redesign For All.  Please join us in this organizing effort by sharing these resources as widely as you can:

Use these two versions of a flyer that you can print and hand out to your friends, neighbors, and community. 

You can also share the URL of this page to your social media!

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5.  Enter Your Public Comments with PRT

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is gathering public input on their Bus Line Redesign online.  You can add your views and suggestions or find a PRT public engagement event by using the link below.  Be sure to let them know – in detail – how this redesign affects you.

PRT’s Bus Line Redesign Public Input Page

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Thank you for all you do.

Remember, you are the public in Public Transit. Together we can organize for an expanded, affordable and accessible public transit system that meets all needs, with no communities left behind.

Join PPT for a movie night to watch “UNION”, a story about the people-powered movement that won the first Amazon union in US history!

PPT Movie Night! Watch “Union” @ Harris Theater
Wednesday, October 23. 8-10pm
$10-$20, but no one turned away for lack of funds

Pittsburghers for Public Transit believes in the power of the people to do great things when we organize together! Come join your PPT fam at the Harris Theater to watch “UNION”. It’s an exciting new film about how Amazon workers at a Staten Island warehouse successfully organized 8,000 coworkers to win the first union at an Amazon facility in US history! We’ll get inspired together and also learn some lessons about what it takes to run winning campaigns.

Purchase your tickets below! No one turned away because of lack of funds. And if you’re able, please donate some extra to help another PPT member join us who might not have the funds to go!:

What to expect: event & accessibility details

Details: The movie is being shown by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust at the Harris Theater. PPT is purchasing a block of tickets for members to join in. The movie is scheduled to show at 8pm on October 23rd. It is 100 minutes long. Look for Dan in the lobby before the screening (white man with a mustache and yellow glasses). He can connect you with your tickets.

What to expect: This is a movie shown in a movie theater. Its dark. Talking is discouraged.

Food: Snacks, popcorn, and beverages can be purchased for full price at the concession stand

Accessibility: Location has accessible seating in the theater, and an accessible bathroom downstairs. You can see the Harris Theader’s accessibility info here.

Getting there: Many buses will bring you into downtown where it won’t be much more of a walk to get to the theater. Street parking and bike parking are available on surrounding blocks.

COVID procedures: This event is being held by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust you can view their safety procedures on their website: https://trustarts.org/pct_home/visit/safety

Whether we live in suburban towns or city neighborhoods, everyone in Allegheny County deserves safe, reliable, dignified access to the places we need to go.

Across the county, 30% of the population does not drive a car. The Week Without Driving was developed by disability advocates in Washington state and is now a national initiative, led by America Walks and the National Campaign for Transit Justice. 

Locally, we’re proud to join this movement to raise awareness for greater mobility needs in every community. With Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s diminished service, crumbling sidewalks, disconnected bike lanes, and insufficient ACCESS services, the lack of investment in safe and accessible mobility options for non-drivers leaves too many residents stranded and struggling to access basic needs.

Join us in pledging to take a Week Without Driving, and call for true mobility options for all in Allegheny County. You can participate as an individual, organization or elected official.

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Week Without Driving PGH Kickoff with County Exec Innamorato & Mayor Ed Gainey is a success!

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Whether due to disability, age, or income – non-drivers come from all walks of life.

These 8 inspiring stories from Pittsburgh non-drivers show there is a spectrum of people who don’t drive a car and urge elected officials make improvements for transit, biking, and walking.

BIG CHANGES are being proposed to our transit system! We need to organize together to make a system that works for all.

Whether you live in McKeesport or McKees Rocks, the Hill District or the South Hills, our public transit system needs to work for everyone. 

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) just released the first draft of the “Bus Line Redesign”. The redesign proposes a completely redrawn map of where transit routes will run. It includes new schedules for how frequently and how late at night buses and trains operate. It even proposes renaming all the routes in the system.

Broadly, we at Pittsburghers for Public Transit are approaching the Bus Line Redesign process both knowing that transit service needs to be improved for people in Allegheny County AND being cautious about whats included in the proposal.

We are cautious for two reasons. One, the agency is approaching the redesign as a “cost neutral” project. This means that the proposal contains the same (or a little less) service than we have today. A “cost-neutral” redesign is a problem because better transit service in some communities will mean worse service in others. When we consider that we’ve already lost 20% of our service since 2020, and 40% since 2000, we’re very concerned that a “cost-neutral redesign” will lock in lower levels of service. We know more service isn’t possible without more funding, which is why we are organizing with riders and workers across Pennsylvania to fight for increased transit funding – you should lean more about the Transit for All PA! campaign and join us as well!

The second reason we are cautious is because we know a redesign of nearly all routes, stops and schedules will be a major disruption for communities. This should be a cause for concern because any disruption could result in decreased ridership – no matter how small. This is understandable because people have built their entire lives – where they live, work, shop, socialize – around a system that’s existed in roughly the same layout for decades.

As transit advocates, we approach PRT’s Bus Network Redesign process with the belief that a redesign should increase people’s access to the system and better support marginalized communities. We’re also supporting a robust conversation with existing riders to give feedback – and then that PRT shows us that our feedback matters! We can create a redesign that works for all if we organize together. Make sure to sign-on with fellow transit advocates to support this vision.

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Sign this petition to tell PRT that we need a Bus Line Redesign that works for all!

PRT has proposed changes to nearly every route, stop, every schedule. These are the most substantial changes proposed in our lifetime. Tens of thousands of people who use the system every day will be impacted. Some communities will get cut out from service, while others will receive new service. With changes this big, it is critical that PRT do deep and sustained public outreach and have a process for incorporating what people say.

Learn more about the PRT’s proposed Bus Line Design and give your input today!

PRT has the Bus Line Redesign draft up on their website, and has some tools that you can use to assess the ways that your trips and neighborhood will be impacted here. Take a look, and share your feedback with them (and us!) we consider how we respond to this 

PRT is also holding several Bus Line Redesign feedback sessions online and across the County. You should join them and promote them to your network.

Check out the Cheat Sheet that we put together to help analyze how the redesign will impact you – and share your input with transit advocates!

image description: photo collage of PPT Members having a great time at the Summer Party and Campaign Kickoff!

PPT kicks off the brand new Visionary Transit Service Campaign at the Summer Party – and spent a beautiful night enjoying delicious food, super-fun music, and the beautiful community we’re building together!

What an amazing time we had at our annual summer party! Thank you to the 130 PPT members and supporters who made it such a special night by attending and participating in the fun. Together, this crew has done some amazing work and we’re got so many more wins coming on the horizon. To recap here’s what our party had in store for us: 

• Launched our NEW Allegheny County VISIONARY TRANSIT SERVICE campaign
• Had delicious food from Chicken Latino and Aladdin’s 
• Danced the night away to DJ Juan Diego!
• Were amazed by O’Ryan the O’Mazing and played lawn games with our family and friends
• Heard powerful stories from some of our PPT members, up close and in person
• Met and/or reunited with over 100 PPT members and supporters 
• Voted for our new PPT Board of Directors
• Wrapped up our successful Summer Member Drive, with 150 new and renewing members!
• Celebrated our victories so far this year 

But for the night’s main event, we launched A BRAND NEW campaign for Visionary Transit Service in Allegheny County!! Check out the new report and campaign!

image description: PPT Member and Visionary Transit Service Report Co-author Tayveon Kevin Smith launches the new report and campaign

Whether you’re black or white, whether you live in the North Hills or the South Hills, McKeesport or McKees Rocks, everyone deserves access to opportunity. Public transit gives us a healthy, clean, and affordable way for everyone to get around and can be that link. After decades of decline in our transit service and the possibility of every single transit line changing during Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Bus Line Redesign, Pittsburghers for Public decided that the time for a big vision of what transit service can be is now.

The new Allegheny County Campaign for Visionary Transit Service says that better transit service is possible, neccessary and would be transformative for Allegheny County Communities. The campaign shows how frequent, accessible transit enabling all residents to reach their jobs, critical services, friends, and family is possible. It sets goals for expanded coverage, increased service and wider span of coverage throughout the day.

But most importantly, the Allegheny County Campaign for Visionary Service lays out how we can win this service by organizing together, electing politicians who will fight for public transit, and winning back the funding to move our communities.

The time for Visionary Transit Service in Allegheny County is now. Learn more and get involved here:

Check out these photos from the campaign launch and summer party, but first – BECOME A PPT MEMBER TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT WORK!

Image description: Portrait of PPT Member Lorena Pena with a caption that reads “Lorena Pena PPT Member organizing with the Latino Community for better transit.” next to text that reads “Summer Member Drive”