Mayor Gainey’s Transition Plan is Good For Transit Riders

Transit Riders Favorably Assess Mayor’s Transition Plan Against the Pittsburgh 100 Days Transit Platform, and Highlight Opportunities for Funding City Priorities Through Federal Infrastructure Plan

Transit Riders Celebrate Mayor Ed Gainey’s recently released Transition Plan. The plan centers equity and pedestrian dignity in infrastructure investments and planning. This is in stark contrast to the previous mayoral administration’s approach to policy which hinged on experimental, venture-backed transportation tech. This release followed several months of organizing in which Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) and allied organizations in the housing justice, disability justice, and neighborhood development community developed and published the Pittsburgh 100 Days Transit Platform, an ambitious but achievable roadmap towards improving transportation access in the City. PPT assessed the Mayor’s Transition Plan against 100 Days Transit Platform and found a high level of alignment on nearly all of the platform’s 18 policy recommendations. The full assessment can be found below. PPT is proud to have had a seat at the table in crafting the Transition Plan, and celebrates the City’s inclusive process around their transition.

“As a disabled Pittsburgher, I am excited to see that Mayor Gainey’s office has adopted the majority of the recommendations made by Pittsburghers for Public Transit and the City-County Task Force on Disabilities,” said Alisa Grishman, a disability rights activist who lives in Uptown. “I look forward to seeing these policies implemented in a way that makes our City accessible to all of its citizens.”

This is a consequential moment in which political will, community needs and federal funding opportunities are all aligned.

The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has made available an unprecedented amount of resources for investments in transportation equity and climate resiliency. In particular, we urge the City’s administration to apply for federal grants to fund: new bus shelters and stop amenities, safe and accessible pedestrian connections to transit, and planning grants for equitable transit-oriented development. PPT members in the disability community, the Pittsburgh immigrant community, low-income people and Black residents are ready to organize and support the City’s leadership in applying for these resources.

“Through the bipartisan infrastructure law, there are hundreds of billions of dollars that can make the pedestrian experience and public transportation dignified, convenient, and accessible to all. But city, transit agency, and state leaders ultimately decide how to use most of that money. Strong action from Mayor Gainey can prepare Pittsburgh to take full advantage of this historic opportunity,” says Steven Higashide, TransitCenter Director of Research.

The Pittsburgh 100 Days Transit Platform was launched in December 2021 and created in collaboration with dozens of residents. This included: transit riders, transit workers, people who have experienced housing insecurity, and people with experience navigating City streets with a disability. PPT also collaborated with organizations that have strong insights into what is needed to ensure Pittsburgh’s transportation network is effective, safe, and accessible to all. PPT’s subsequent report, Mobility for Who: Rebuilding Bridges to Transportation Justice, released in February 2022, highlighted the critical issues that arose from former Mayor Peduto’s tech-focused transportation policy, and uplifted opportunities for the Gainey administration to create access for all by supporting public transit, affordable housing, and accessible pedestrian infrastructure. Given the goals outlined in Mayor Gainey’s Transition Plan and the federal funds available for infrastructure improvements, PPT is excited to continue organizing in our communities to address the harms of the prior administration by creating an equitable and people-focused transit system.

PPT’s report card to show how Mayor Gainey’s Transition Plan measures up against the Pittsburgh 100 Days Transit Platform

	Pittsburgh 100 Days Transit Platform Evaluation Rubric	Full adoption of PPT Transit Platform Proposal	Partial adoption of PPT Transit Platform Proposal	Quote from Mayor Gainey’s Transition Plan
I	Prioritization of Accessible, Equitable Mobility Over Corporate Profit and Private Modes of Transportation
1	Announce a Walking/Transit/Biking First Approach to Mobility that includes a Pittsburgh Transit Plan	X(I&E Rec. 8, p.98)		Recommendation 8: Commit to transit-oriented development “Commit to a Walking/Transit/Biking First Approach to Mobility that includes a Pittsburgh Transit Plan, similar to the Philadelphia Transit Plan…”
2	Identify a Clear Set of Mobility Goals	X(I&E Rec. 8, p.98)		Recommendation 8: Commit to transit-oriented development “Adopt a goal such as “A 15 Minute City” or another easy-to-understand framework to communicate the Mayoral commitment to development and infrastructure that benefits all.”
3	Name a Cabinet-Level Position Dedicated to Mobility Justice and Transportation Access	X(I&E Rec. 15, p. 108)		Recommendation 15: “Create a leadership position solely dedicated to mobility justice and transportation access, including bicycle and pedestrian issues. This position should ensure coordination/collaboration on equitable transportation and disability-related efforts across all departments and agencies.” Improve agency/stakeholder coordination through Departmental and Agency Alignment “Offer competitive wages and fully staff DOMI, DPW, and DCP to address present and future project planning and delivery and to capture larger tranches of federal funding that may be missed if we are understaffed.”
4	Fully Fund and Staff DOMI and the DCP Zoning and Strategic Planning Divisions to Address Present and Future Project Planning and Delivery	X(I&E Rec. 15, p.108)
II	Legislation and Zoning that Supports Transit Use and Affordable Housing
5	Announce a Plan to Provide Free Bus Passes to All City Employees and Residents of City-Supported Homeless Shelters by 2023		X(I&E Rec. 11, p. 103)	Recommendation 11: Fund a stronger collaborative relationship with Port Authority for improved public transit “Pilot a free bus pass program that provides free bus passes to city employees and residents in certain communities (or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients).”
6	Call for a Citywide Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Ordinance		X (ED Rec 10, p. 30-31)	Recommendation 10: Strengthen and expand the city’s inclusionary zoning policy “It is imperative that the Gainey Administration…strengthen and expand the City’s IZ policy…The City should update the financial modeling performed by the IZ Exploratory Committee and expand coverage making Pittsburgh’s incentivized mandatory IZ policy citywide.”
7	Call for Higher Levels of Affordability and Density Within Walking Distance of Frequent Transit Routes	X(ED Rec 9, p.30 // I&E Rec. 8, p.98)		Recommendation 9: Amend the zoning code to create more housing development and incentivize more affordable housing development “The Equitable Development Committee recommends that the Code increase the allowed density in certain residential zoning districts. This would include expanding multifamily residential districts near transit stations along the Light Rail system and the East Busway, thus reducing minimum lot size per dwelling unit requirements in certain districts, particularly downtown; reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements, especially in districts that are well-served by public transit…” Recommendation 8: Commit to equitable transit-oriented development “Transit-oriented development, which will maximize the amount of residential, business, and leisure space, is essential to having a walkable connected city.” “The administration should regulate and incentivize equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) through streamlined zoning and other incentives or programs. Direct public investment to prevent displacement and to build affordable housing within close proximity to high-frequency transit routes.”
8	Restart the Citywide Comprehensive Land Use Planning Process (ForgingPgh)	X(I&E Rec 14, p.106)		Recommendation 14: Institute comprehensive planning and zoning “The administration should rewrite the Zoning Code. As a reciprocal document to a comprehensive plan, it will need to be overhauled to accommodate the new patterns and to prevent a patch-and-stitch approach to each novel problem. Organize a comprehensive planning process that is thorough, data-informed, and able to serve as an umbrella document for neighborhood plans, open space plans, etc”
9	Minimize or Eliminate Parking Minimums in the Zoning Code		X(ED Rec 9, p. 30 // I&E Rec.14, p.106)	Recommendation 9: Amend the zoning code to create more housing development and incentivize more affordable housing development Recommendation 10: …This would include expanding multifamily residential districts near transit stations along the Light Rail system and the East Busway, thus reducing minimum lot size per dwelling unit requirements in certain districts, particularly downtown; reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements, especially in districts that are well-served by public transit Recommendation 13: Reconsider parking requirements to ensure we are putting the right amount of parking in the right places. Recommendation 14: Institute comprehensive planning and zoning “Continue the conversation on the following concerns: Eliminating mandatory minimum parking requirements in transit-rich areas, increased density for walkability, city-wide inclusionary housing…”
10	Designate Representatives from DOMI and DCP to Be in Charge of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)		X (I&E Rec 15, p 108)	Recommendation 8 Commit to equitable transit-oriented development Recommendation 15: Improve agency/stakeholder coordination through Departmental and Agency Alignment “Offer competitive wages and fully staff DOMI, DPW, and DCP to address present and future project planning and delivery and to capture larger tranches of federal funding that may be missed if we are understaffed.”
11	Consistently Audit Data Processes to Being Used by Private Tech Companies	X (ED, Rec 10, p. 101)		Recommendation 10: Expand bicycling, mobility, and greenspace networks“In recent years, many parts of the City have had improvements that enable safer cycling and for new types of mobility technologies. These new technologies (scooters, e-bikes, autonomous vehicles, Personal Delivery Devices, etc.), as well as the infrastructure improvements that support them, require more effective regulation, oversight, and accountability with increased transparency regarding decision making and community involvement.” “Adaptively regulate micromobility systems as technologies will continue to develop. Establish consistent DOMI staffing, periodic review and transparent data collection, and regular opportunities for community input.”
12	Establish Community-Developed Criteria Around External Funding Requests and Grants from DOMI	X (I&E Rec 13, p. 108)		Recommendation 15: Improve agency/stakeholder coordination through Departmental and Agency Alignment “Establish community-developed criteria to guide departments in the external funding and grants that it requests to ensure that community voices are heard, their input respected, and their requests included in the decision-making process.”
III	Comfortable, Accessible, and Safe Public Transit Connections
13	Commit to a Policy of Compensating People with Disabilities for Participating in Infrastructure Planning		X (I&E Rec 14, p. 106)	Recommendation 14: Institute comprehensive planning and zoning “Consider compensation for community experts who have an active role in infrastructure planning. It is critical that people who represent certain community needs or perspectives, such as those with disabilities, be included in the planning and design of infrastructure.”
14	Create a Sidewalk Fund	X (I&E Rec 9, p. 100)		Recommendation 9: Prioritize pedestrian dignity “Create a Sidewalk Fund with grants or loans for sidewalk repair around transit stops and be used to complete the infrastructure needed for safe and accessible passage to critical amenities and services.”
15	Make Sidewalk Access a Priority Through Equitable Enforcement of the ADA and City Sidewalk Maintenance Standards	X (I&E Rec 9, p. 99 )		Recommendation 9: Prioritize pedestrian dignity “Equitably enforce the ADA and City Sidewalk Maintenance Standards, with a backstop program for low-income property owners for whom sidewalk repair presents a hardship”
16	Relocate the Remaining 20+ Bus Shelters at Defunct Transit Stops to Priority Stops	X (I&E Rec 11, p. 103)		Recommendation 11: Forge a stronger collaborative relationship with Port Authority for improved public transit “Renew and relocate bus shelters to give communities ample shelter and access to public transit. Coordinate shelters with sidewalk and intersection improvements.”
17	Budget for the Purchase of Sufficient Sidewalk Snow Removal Equipment	X (I&E Rec 9, p. 99)		Recommendation 9: Prioritize pedestrian dignity “Prioritize the replacement and maintenance of city-owned sidewalks and stairs, including lighting, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades, and seasonal maintenance like snow removal.”
18	Create a Sidewalk Program at DOMI with a Dedicated Leader	X (I&E Rec 9, p 100)		Recommendation 9: Prioritize pedestrian dignity “Establish a Sidewalk Program at the DOMI with a dedicated leader to manage a volunteer-run City sidewalk conditions audit program.”
IV	Bus Lanes and Transit Signal Priority to Ensure Fast, Effective Public Transit	X (I&E Rec 11, p101)		Recommendation 11: “The administration should prioritize transit street improvements, weighing factors including transit ridership, the demographic served by bus lines in the corridor, and the level of congestion along the corridor to ensure that transportation improvements are allocated equitably and effectively. Coordinate with the Port Authority, PennDOT, and other agencies on the public right-of-way planning.”