Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), formerly the Port Authority of Allegheny County, has unveiled a proposal that includes significant service reductions and fare increases to address a potential $100 million deficit. The plan, introduced at a recent board committee meeting, outlines a 35% cut to operational hours across bus, light rail, and Mon Incline services. This comes amidst broader financial challenges facing public transit agencies.
The proposed service cuts are extensive, potentially leading to the complete elimination of the T Silver Line and 40 bus routes, alongside reduced service on 53 other bus routes and the T Red Line. These changes could result in three Pittsburgh neighborhoods and 19 municipalities in Allegheny, Beaver, and Westmoreland counties losing transit service entirely, with system-wide service ending after 11 p.m.
In addition to service reductions, the proposal includes a nearly 10% increase in fares. The standard base fare for riders would rise from $2.75 to $3, and a seven-day pass would increase from $25 to $27. These measures are designed to mitigate the substantial financial shortfall PRT is facing.
The severity of the proposed changes has drawn attention, with social media users highlighting the impact. As Joe Colangelo stated in a recent tweet, "> BTW Pittsburgh Transit is cutting 35% of their service and raising fares 9% in the next year. Many such cases." The tweet underscores public awareness and concern regarding the potential disruption to daily commutes and access for thousands of riders.
PRT is actively seeking increased state funding, specifically an additional $117 million, to avert these drastic cuts and fare hikes. The agency indicates that without substantial financial assistance, it faces the risk of being "out of business" in a few years. This proposal reflects a critical juncture for public transportation in the Pittsburgh region, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding solutions.