Pittsburghers fight looming transit cuts
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Pittsburgh could lose 35% of its public transit service — including dozens of bus routes — if the state doesn't come through with hundreds of millions in funding.
Why it matters: Pittsburgh isn't a public transit powerhouse, but the system punched above its weight — connecting low-income riders, Downtown commuters and students.
- Advocates are fighting to ensure cuts don't deeply disrupt lives, hurt local businesses and undercut the city's efforts to stay competitive.
Catch up quick: Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) said last month it will slash service by 35% and raise fares from $2.75 to $3 if the state doesn't provide an additional $117 million annually.
- That means 19 municipalities will lose transit, 41 bus routes will be cut, light rail and paratransit service will be reduced, direct service to the airport will be lost and a planned bus network redesign will be scrapped.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget requests an additional $292 million statewide annually, which includes $40 million more annually for PRT.
Driving the news: A slew of local organizations joined PRT on Tuesday at a state Senate Democratic policy hearing in Pittsburgh to advocate for more public transit funding.
What they're saying: Some local leaders and major employers warned lawmakers that transit cuts would ripple through Pittsburgh's economy and hit their workforce.
- Kendra Ross, head of social impact at Duolingo, said more than half of the company's 450 East Liberty employees use public transit, walk or bike to work.
- "This is a key factor for us in attracting top tech talent to Pittsburgh, compared to San Francisco or New York: showing them that Pittsburgh is a modern, leading tech city where people don't have to drive to work every morning," she said.
- Giant Eagle's VP of government affairs Victor Vercammen said up to 20% of their workforce at certain warehouses and grocery stores use public transit.
- "Reduction in services will degrade our labor force's vibrancy," he said.
State of play: PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman said the agency's financial challenges stem from the expiration of Act 89, the last statewide funding boost in 2013.
- She said PRT has cut service, trimmed employee benefits and raised fares since then, but it's insufficient.
- "These changes would hinder economic growth, increase congestion and run counter to Pittsburgh's and Allegheny County's ongoing efforts to rebound from the pandemic," she said.
Between the lines: Dan Yablonksy of advocacy group Pittsburghers for Public Transit suggested three statewide revenue-generating strategies to supplement Shapiro's $40 million annual increase for PRT:
- Increasing the state's car rental fee from $2 to $6.50 daily
- Upping the vehicle lease tax from 3% to 5%
- Establishing a 6% excise tax on ride-hail trips
That would raise an additional $694 million annually for transit agencies statewide.
The other side: Senate Republican Leader Joe Pittman of Indiana County has signaled Republicans are considering letting transit agencies make cuts because they are concerned about a looming structural deficit in the state budget.
- "As the discussion of transportation funding needs progresses, it is critical for our mass transit systems to demonstrate they are running as efficiently as possible," Pittman told Axios.
Yes, but: Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) said Tuesday that PRT has shown good fiscal responsibility and the agency is at a point where it needs support or its service could become unusable.
What's next: The General Assembly's deadline for passing the budget is June 30, but the date can be pushed back.