By SUSAN JONES
Pittsburgh Regional Transit has announced that funding shortages may cause it to cut up to 35% of its service and raise base fares from $2.75 to $3 starting in February 2026.
PRT is now seeking input from the public about the rate hike and proposed route cuts and service reductions, which are outlined on its website.
The public comment period is open through June 18, with four ways to respond: Fill out PRT’s online survey; visit PRT’s downtown service center at 623 Smithfield St.; call the public comment inbox at 412-566-5525; or send a letter to Pittsburgh Regional Transit, ATTN: Funding Crisis. 345 Sixth Ave., 3rd floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
PRT also has scheduled three public hearings. Each hearing will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Those who wish to speak at the hearings are encouraged to register, but walk-ins are welcome. Register at: https://linktr.ee/PRTpublichearings. The hearings are:
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April 29 and June 12, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown
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May 6, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Oakland
In coming up with the list of proposed changes, PRT said its goals were to maintain high ridership and high efficiency routes, minimize adverse impacts for riders who depend on transit, and minimize service coverage impacts to as few areas as possible.
PRT is requesting $117 million in state funding for next year, with compounding annual increases to cover the $1.8 billion shortfall it will face over the next decade, according to the Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed sending around $40 million to PRT in 2026, but state Senate Republicans have not backed that plan.
The PRT plan calls for eliminating or severely reducing service on 21 routes. While none of those are in the Oakland or the immediate surrounding areas, the route cuts could affect faculty, staff and students commuting from farther away. For instance, five routes facing elimination — Troy Hill (4), Spring Garden (7), Ohio Valley (14), Manchester (18) and Emsworth Limited (19L) — cover the North Side and suburbs further along the Ohio River.
“University of Pittsburgh students, faculty and staff have relied on Pittsburgh Regional Transit to attend classes, teach and work in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood for over two decades,” a Pitt spokesperson said. “Pitt understands the proposed cuts’ potential negative impact, and we are working with stakeholders to advocate for our community and partners.”
Based on Pitt ID tap data, more than 50% of Pitt faculty and staff rode PRT transit at least once for commuting and other trips from August 2024 through January 2025. Among Pitt students, more than 75% rode at least one PRT vehicle over the same time period.
“Reliable and affordable transit is integral to our urban campus and a cornerstone of the University’s journey to carbon neutrality by 2037,” said Aurora Sharrard, Pitt’s assistant vice chancellor for sustainability.
In its online explanation of how the funding shortage occurred, PRT said Act 89 of 2013 created a multi-modal fund to support public transit statewide. The bill sustained public transit in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania for a decade. But in latter years, funding has been unable to keep up with PRT’s needs.
Between 2021 and 2024, federal pandemic relief funding subsidized fare losses, delaying the impacts of the funding deficit.
This year, PRT plans to address a $50 million budget deficit by dipping into its emergency reserve fund. For fiscal year 2025-26, PRT is projecting a $100 million deficit and said it would need a $117 million infusion of state funding — with compounding annual increases — to support current service levels for the next decade.
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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