Pennsylvania’s public transit systems rely heavily on state funding to operate. Funding has been flat since 2014 and is no longer able to support current service levels, creating a $100 million-plus budget deficit next year and beyond.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) are just the tip of the spear: all 67 counties in the state have some form of subsidized transportation services and all these transit systems are also on a cliff. Some may even become insolvent.
Lacking additional ways to close the widening gap, PRT has been forced to propose reducing service and increasing fares to balance their budget. PRT is proposing:
- 35% to 40% reduction in PRT service
- 60% reduction in ACCESS service
- 9% fare increase for PRT
- 14%-24% fare increase for ACCESS service
- 41 bus and T routes eliminated
- Every route will be impacted including in equity communities
We urge residents, businesses, and organizations to come out in support of transit. Make your voice heard by:
- Contacting your state elected officials to let them know how important transit is to you and those you help. Not sure who is your state representative and state senator? Click here.
- Signing up to speak at PRT’s upcoming public hearings by clicking here:
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- Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm at David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Ballroom, 3rd floor)
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 (9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm at Soldiers and Sailors, 1st floor auditorium)
- Thursday, June 12, 2025 (9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm at David Lawrence Convention Center, Room 302-204)
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- Completing PRT’s survey online at https://engage.rideprt.org/research/comments-2026-cuts or in person at PRT’s Downtown Customer Service Center (623 Smithfield Street). You can also mail comments to PRT by addressing a letter and sending it to: Pittsburgh Regional Transit, ATTN: Funding Crisis, 345 Sixth Ave, 3rd floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
- Joining Mobilify’s efforts as we strive to amplify the voices of our community. We are hosting a May 21 virtual forum where you will receive the latest information and learn what actions you can take.
Interested in learning more about this issue? Read this Handout on PRT’s Proposed Service Cuts
