From Fox Chapel to Brentwood, McKeesport to McKees Rocks, all of us want our communities to be inclusive and vibrant. Public transit gives us a healthy, clean, and affordable way for everyone to get around. For decades, transit riders have called on elected leaders to provide the accessible, expansive transit service that truly meets our community’s economic, environmental and public health needs. But we know that progress is only possible with a vision, and a plan.

PPT is launching our campaign and report to provide a roadmap to better transit service. And on the way, our research and organizing will prove that Visionary Service is Possible, Necessary, and that it will be Transformative for Allegheny County.

Read our report for the full roadmap for the Allegheny County Visionary Transit Service campaign. Share this page to spread the vision. Sign on and share your story to show support for transit service that is expanded, frequent, reliable. Visionary Transit Service will transform our lives and communities.


Transit service has been heading in the wrong direction.

The disinvestment in Allegheny County’s transit system over the past 20 years has led to a network that is inadequate for many of the county’s residents. This lack of investment has led to a nearly 40% reduction in available service and catalyzed the associated ridership decline. Many communities have insufficient transit service for residents to reach gainful employment—or meet any of their basic needs—without a car.

 

The time for change is now.

Now’s the time to act. In 2023, Pittsburgh Regional Transit started a process to review where, when, and how people travel throughout Allegheny County through its Bus Line Redesign. A “cost-neutral” redesign, no matter how thoughtfully executed, would be a catastrophe, locking in decades of service cuts for the next generation. Instead, because the Bus Line Redesign will have a lasting impact on transit riders and operators, we have the unique opportunity to reimagine what service could look like that truly meets the needs of our community- to dream big. Now is the moment for us to think beyond typical funding restrictions and develop a visionary plan for service. 

We need to rebuild the transit network and ensure that the service is frequent and running at hours that align with the schedules of working families. We know that when high-quality service is made available to residents, ridership naturally grows.

Cocoa, East Liberty

“As a home health nurse, I travel to my clients’ homes all over Allegheny County on public transportation. PRT’s service coverage does not work for my industry. In order to meet my clients’ needs, I have found myself stranded and having to walk in the dark, from one borough to another, just to get to the people who need my help. If PRT buses ran to more locations, more frequently, at both earlier and later in the day, I would be able to care for more patients who need support.”

Tayveon Kevin Smith, Whitehall

“WE THE PEOPLE- transit riders and transit operators- are impacted the most by our transit system and we are Truly a people united. A vision for transit is one that is always in motion, and can be transformative when we work together. Let’s show the world that our region is really the most livable for all and make real our Visionary Service demand!”

We’re done with decline. It’s time to have a transit service vision to match our region’s needs.

We believe that “Visionary Service” consists of frequent, accessible transit enabling all Allegheny County residents to reach their jobs, critical services, friends, and family through sufficient service coverage, service frequency, and service span:

Expanded Coverage

All residents should have access to transit within walking distance of their homes, and in this report we evaluate a system map that more closely resembles the visionary Transit Development Plan (TDP) proposal in 2009. There are 30 routes that were considered necessary and planned for implementation during the TDP planning process which have since been cut or were never put into effect.

Increased Frequency

All buses and trains should come at a minimum of every 30 minutes, and higher-ridership routes should come a minimum of every 15 minutes.

Wider Service Span

Transit should run at least from 4:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. for all Rapid, Local, and Coverage routes, with 24-hour service for high-activity locations.

Paul L, Hazelwood

“While [PRT] created shorter wait times for buses to and from Hazelwood, they cut the last runs from town at night! It is nearly impossible for me to make the 10:40 p.m. [bus] after work to get home without having to walk 3 blocks uphill at night!! Plus my elderly neighbor works late and has to walk up, and there are handicapped people that live in the tower near the Kane Regional Center. Bring back the late bus!”

Cheryl, McKees Rocks

“The 22 is the forgotten bus. It’s the only bus that comes to the Bottoms [of McKees Rocks]…it runs every hour and 30 [minutes] then they don’t even come; it’s cost me jobs and missed appointments. Something has to be done.”

 

Read the new report for the Allegheny County Campaign for Visionary Transit! Get involved in PPT’s organizing to win expanded, frequent, reliable transit service and transform your life and your community.