PRT proposes "draconian" service cuts and fare increases, citing lack of state funding
Pittsburgh Regional Transit leaders are proposing massive changes to service as leaders say they're millions of dollars in the red and have no choice but to make significant cuts to service and increase fares.
The changes would eliminate service from entire municipalities, preventing people from going to schools, jobs and special events like the NFL Draft.
CEO Katharine Kelleman said for years they've kept the agency running by a thread with a deficit that continues to grow. It faces a $100 million deficit for the 2026 fiscal year and $110 million the year after that.
"This has been a long time coming, and Allegheny County deserves better than us constantly making it happen and shrinking down," Kelleman said.
In the past 25 years, PRT has cut 36% of service to continue to operate, and federal stimulus funds from the pandemic helped to drag things out. However, during the next 10 years, they expect a $1.8 billion shortfall.
Currently, Gov. Josh Shapiro is proposing a $40 million annual increase, but Kelleman said they need that number to be $117 million in planning for the years ahead. Without any drastic increase in funding from the state, Kelleman said they need to make catastrophic changes.
"We are talking two-thirds contraction in our paratransit access network, which makes life happen. It's lifesaving and life-giving and life-making. We're talking a fare increase that takes our already high fares to some of the highest in the nation," Kelleman said.
The proposal would cut service via light rail, bus and incline by 35% starting in February 2026. The fare increase would also raise the base fare to $3, making it the fifth highest in the country.
For seniors and those with disabilities, the paratransit service would see a 20% increase in fares, and a 62% cut to its service area, bringing it down to the federal minimum level of service the agency is required to provide in Allegheny County to meet ADA law.
"Cuts that we are talking about today, these very, very significant draconian cuts, are cutting for people who have no other way to get around," said Amy Silberman, PRT's chief development officer.
As a part of the changes, the proposal calls for the removal of the light rail Silver Line and 40 bus routes. Service frequency would be reduced on the Red Line and 53 bus routes. Also, 19 municipalities in Allegheny, Beaver and Westmoreland counties and three Pittsburgh neighborhoods would lose service completely.
Those include Ambridge, Ben Avon, Brackenridge, East McKeesport, Edgeworth, Emsworth, Glen Osborne, Glenfield, Hampton, Harrison, Haysville, Leetsdale, North Fayette, Pitcairn, Reserve, Shaler, South Park, Trafford, Upper St. Clair, Banksville, Ridgemont and Swisshelm Park.
"We have 180,000 residents and 50,000 jobs inside Allegheny County that lose all access to any walkable or rollable public transit service," Silberman said.
There also wouldn't be service after 11 p.m. anymore, and there wouldn't be any funding for sporting events like Steelers games, concerts and even for next year's NFL draft. At the same time, the bus line redesign project discussed during the fall would be in jeopardy.
PRT would also close two bus garages, the Wabash Tunnel and 10 park-and-ride lots.
As for potential layoffs, spokesperson Adam Brandolph told KDKA-TV they do not have numbers at the moment, "but positions may not be filled and [they] would likely not replace retirees."
A major factor when it comes to the shortfall has to do with the fact that state funding for public transit hasn't kept up with the needs of Allegheny County.
PRT operates around 100 bus routes with nearly 700 buses, 20 hours per day.
Without the additional funding, PRT says decisions will be made, which could, unfortunately, affect those who need public transit the most, including seniors or those with disabilities.
At the same time, fewer buses mean more traffic, a greater demand for parking and worse air quality. It could also cause less spending and a hit to the local economy.
PRT's board meeting is next Friday. If the cuts are approved, public feedback will be solicited on March 31, and three public hearings will be held before the budget for 2026 can be approved in July.
Details on the proposed change are available online.
