Public Transit relies on you taking the census!

Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) has joined the Keystone Counts Coalition to assist ensure a fair and accurate count of the upcoming 2020 demography, which is data that guides many decisions for the upcoming decade. There is a lot at stake in this Demography, and historically-marginalized communities accept been undercounted in the by. Ensuring a proper count has enormous impacts:

Why your participation in the 2020 Demography is critical

ON Resources: Federal programs classify funding based on census data, and so an undercount could drastically reduce the resources coming to Pennsylvania for education, healthcare, housing, Public Transit, veterans, seniors, and much more.

ON REPRESENTATION: Because U.S. House of Representatives is apportioned according to census data, Pennsylvania could easily lose one or more than representatives after the 2020 demography, especially with an undercount. Because state legislative districts are besides fatigued based on census information, communities that are undercounted would go underrepresented for the next decade.

O N COMMUNITY Back up: Aside from funding and political representation, local government, philanthropic, and community leaders too rely on demography data to know where to fund, build, or invest. Not existence counted literally means becoming invisible to these conclusion-makers.

Now more than ever, you MUST do your part and take the 2020 Demography

During this pandemic, the people who are now deemed invaluable to our country are frequently under ordinary circumstances the first of us to be forgotten. They are our grocery store tellers, meat packers, those who clean and sterilize our hospital. We have always known that these are the folks who should be heard, counted, and seen. Now is our opportunity to do that.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Dan Yablonsky, Communications Director, Pittsburghers for Public Transit
(551) 206-3320, dan@pittsburghforpublictransit.org

Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) applauds Port Authority's recent decision to protect the health and prophylactic of front-line transit workers, by having riders board through the rear-doors and by implementing a fareless transit policy.

Since Sat, more than 315 riders and xiv organizations have called on Port Authorization to implement this alter, in line with demands from the International Amalgamated Transit Union and post-obit the footsteps of several transit agencies around the country. Port Authority has demonstrated its commitment to its workers and the public through these important precautionary measures, even equally ridership has dropped precipitously in recent weeks while residents have been sheltering in identify.

It'south at present time for the federal government to pace up to the plate.

These necessary safety interventions are costly, and COVID-xix is threatening to put our transit agencies on life back up. Allegheny Canton transit riders are calling for emergency federal funding to comprehend the increased costs associated with COVID-nineteen and decreased revenue, at a scale comparable to the proposed airline manufacture bailout. Supermarket clerks, hospital environmental service workers, pharmacy technicians, and nurses still rely on public transit everyday to continue our communities healthy. The COVID-nineteen crisis has brought into stark relief the need for public transit systems to exist considered essential services and as an extension of our healthcare and food organization infrastructure.  Speaker Pelosi, Bulk Leader McConnell, Minority Leader McCarthy and Minority Leader Schumer must ensure that transit is provided the highest level of immediate, direct financial assistance in this forthcoming Emergency Funding Pecker, and ensure that this coin can be used for transit operations.

Don't permit Covid-xix impale public transit 💀🚌 Sign on for a Federal Transit Stimulus Now

As the Covid-19 outbreak spreads through our communities, we are seeing immediate how years of disinvestment, defunding, and deregulation are leaving our neighbors struggling to find the essentials they need: transportation, nutrient, housing, healthcare, teaching, and more. This struggle is existent, and our communities are coming together to back up each other through our moment of demand.

If you've been on social media the last calendar week, you've no uncertainty seen many unlike lists of resources that are beingness made available to individuals, families, and small businesses. These efforts may be piecemeal, but they are vital for keeping us fed, sheltered, and surviving in a broken system that was never built to support us. Below are a few lists that nosotros've found helpful in this fourth dimension, it is by no ways exhaustive. If you have any additions, please ship usa an e-mail at info@pittsburghforpublictransit.org

All of that said, nosotros cannot lose sight of the transformative opportunity of this moment

As we back up each other with care and resources, it is essential that we recognize the transformative opportunity that is present in this moment. Movements for man rights that were impossible ane-week ago are possible today – evictions are frozen, mortgages and student loans are frozen, innocent people held in prison are beingness released, a universal bones income is moving closer to reality.

We volition indeed rebuild our communities from this crisis – that is certain. Only in this moment nosotros have the chance to rebuild a organisation with love and compassion that puts the man rights of people first. Housing, transportation, nutrient, healthcare, wages, childcare; as trillions of public dollars are being moved to assistance our land recover, we are seeing that yes, there is in fact money to pay for human rights. In this moment we accept an opportunity to re-rest the scales and push for investment in people's needs alee of corporate profits.

Bring together PPT and transit riders across the county in making the phone call for a federal public transit stimulus to proceed our communities moving past Covid-19:

Covid-xix Resource Lists

a note that all of these efforts are staffed almost entirely by volunteers

Accept Activity Monday Valley Resource Depository financial institution

Take Activeness Mon Valley is collecting different resources to distribute to residents throughout the Mon Valley. If you alive in the Mon Valley and need resources, or if you are a caring neighbor who every bit resource to donate, check out their Resource Bank.

COVID-19 – resources (PITTSBURGH, PA)

One of the most comprehensive resource lists we've we've seen so far, with updates made oftentimes.

Resources for families affected past COVID-nineteen

A helpful listing designed specifically for family needs. With resources from food assistance, utility support, education, emotional back up, etc. And a divers point of contact to enquire any questions.

PA Health Access Network's Covid-19 Briefing Memo

Legislative update with information related to eviction freezes, healthcare access, loan freezes, SNAP, workers comp and more.

Pittsburgh Mutual Aid Library

A 2d endeavour created by organizers at JOLT. This bilingual resource attempts to match people who are NEEDED and Offer dissimilar resources.

Join PPT & our partners to call neighbors to connect them with these resource

PPT is holding a series of phonebanks this week to connect neighbors to resource. Sign upwardly here to assistance support these efforts: https://world wide web.pittsburghforpublictransit.org/join-the-swpa-covid19-community-response-phonebank-to-support-our-neighbors/

Join PPT to connect with our neighbors and make sure their needs are met during this time of Covid-xix

The Covid-nineteen outbreak has laid bare the longer-term crunch of poverty and inequality in our country. Now, more than e'er, we need protections for the 140million poor and dispossessed people in the U.S., not billions in bailouts for the wealthy. Join Southwestern PA organizations in the PA Poor People's Entrada: A National Call for Moral Revival, for a virtual phonebank three different days this week to check-up on our neighbors, connect them with community resources, and invite them to an online screening of the new documentary about the Poor People's Campaign next Saturday.

Phonebank schedule

  • Tuesday, 3/24, 3pm-5pm
  • Wednesday, 3/25, 6pm-8pm
  • Thursday, iii/26, 3pm-5pm
  • Each virtual event will begin with a training via this zoom here: https://zoom.us/j/7174265283 OR Dial: 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 717 426 5283

PLEASE RSVP Here:

Our virtual phonebank will begin on a Zoom video/telephone conference with a short grooming on local Covid-nineteen updates, community resources, the PA Poor People'south Entrada: A National Telephone call for Moral Revival, and logistics for the phonebank. Each phonebanker is encouraged to join on Zoom video through a computer/tablet if possible.

Download zoom here: zoom.u.s./download#client_4meeting
Connect to zoom here earlier each phonebank: https://zoom.us/j/7174265283 OR Dial: 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 717 426 5283

When you lot RSVP please let us know if you lot won't have access to a computer or tablet then nosotros can prepare you up.

Achieve out to 412-626-7353 with questions!

More details on facebook

Public transit = healthcare, nutrient access, jobs.

COVID-19 must not threaten our organisation. Pittsburghers for Public Transit is joining transit riders beyond Pennsylvania and the nation to telephone call on our elected representatives to laissez passer a robust transit stimulus package. We demand to protect and expand our public transit organisation during these challenging times so that we can move our communities forward.

Read the letter below and sign on.

Dear Port Say-so of Allegheny County (PAAC) Board Members, PA House and Senate Transportation Committee Chairs, PA House Subcommittee on Public Transportation Chairs, the Federal Transportation Administration and Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader McCarthy, and Minority Leader Schumer.

Public transit is a public utility, and an essential extension of our healthcare and nutrient systems.

The COVID-19 crisis has brought into stark relief the need for public transit systems to exist considered essential services and as a necessary attribute of our healthcare and nutrient arrangement infrastructure. Public transit moves front line workers in our nutrient and healthcare industries to their critical jobs — nurses, grocery and pharmacy clerks, hospital ecology service workers, pharmacy technicians, food warehouse workers.

Therefore we must provide emergency country and federal funding for transit agencies to encompass the fare acquirement shortfalls and increased operating needs.

Transit agencies are needing to shoulder the added and neccessary cost of purchase of prophylactic materials, providing sick leave to workers, and increasing cleaning frequency. We must likewise ensure that in that location are too sustainable funding mechanisms in place to ensure the viability of public transit later on this crisis passes, without cuts to these vital lifelines.

Moreover, given the changing state of emergency surrounding COVID-19, and the rapid response required to mitigate the worst consequences of this new and highly infectious disease, we, the undersigned, call on our transit agencies and elected officials to take the actions outlined beneath to foreclose the spread of the coronavirus and proceed transit riders and workers safe . Transit workers are in a position of loftier exposure to the public and the virus, and we must have all possible measures to ensure that they remain safe and healthy.

FEDERAL AND State EMERGENCY Assist FOR PENNSYLVANIA TRANSIT AGENCIES

Initial reports from other big transit agencies indicate that the loss of ridership and fare revenue during the upcoming months will threaten the hereafter of transit agencies. Our transit agencies need emergency federal and state funding to cover the increased costs associated with COVID-xix and decreased revenue, at a scale comparable to the proposed airline manufacture bailout. Additionally, there needs to be a program in place to ensure the resiliency and sustained funding of our transit agencies later this crisis passes, and a commitment to treating transit service every bit a necessary public skilful and utility. The Port Authority of Allegheny County is particularly vulnerable to service cuts subsequently this crisis considering our bureau disproportionately relies on funding from the Pennsylvania state legislature, which has non identified a revenue stream to address the impending Act 89 fiscal cliff. With proposed transit service reductions already in the works, it is important that legislators and transit agency board members lay out a commitment and timeline for service restoration after this crunch abates.

The Emergency Funding bill merely released by the Senate Majority does not include relief for transit agencies. This is a dangerous omission that will lead to a crisis in our communities, specially because existing federal funding formulas are designed to address capital needs, not operating needs. Legislators in Washington and Harrisburg must immediately pass relief funding for PAAC and all transit agencies.

Increase TRANSIT Rider AND WORKER Safety

We are grateful that PAAC has increased station and vehicle cleaning in response to the pandemic, and accept adopted numerous policy measures to ensure the well-being and prophylactic of transit workers and riders.

We enquire that Port Authorisation follow the lead of other transit agencies and implement rear-door boarding and a fare-free organization to limit operator exposure. The front end area should remain accessible just for riders with disabilities.

IN Determination

Transit riders and workers are depending on PAAC board members and elected officials to use their political power and influence for the benefit and protection of us all. During this time of Corona-19 crisis, our neighbors, cities, country and country need robust public transit stimulus to keep our communities moving and protect its riders and workers.

Mobility is a man right, but COVID-19 has shown that having sustainable public transit to back up workers in vital industries like healthcare and nutrient access is necessary for the survival of us all.

Sincerely,

Pittsburghers for Public Transit
Alliance for Police Accountability
Amalgamated Transit Union, LOCAL 1743
Casa San Jose
CREATE Lab, Carnegie Mellon Academy
Human Rights Coalition Fed-Upwards!
PGH Double-decker Info Hotline
Philly Transit Riders Union
Pittsburgh Food Policy Council
Pittsburgh Mennonite Church building
Sierra Club
Thomas Merton Heart
Iii Rivers Free Clinic for the People
UrbanKind Institute

Join beau transit riders in making the call for our elected officials and agency to take the steps necessary to protect and support our organisation and communities.

Each quarter the Port Potency adjusts its transit schedules and routes to business relationship for rider's requests, ridership shifts, construction, road closures and/or all of the other unexpected hiccups that might impact Pittsburgh roads.

Additionally, Port Potency's new Omnibus Stop Consolidation programme aims to eliminate 20-30% of stops in the unabridged system. PPT's feelings about this program are complicated (Blog ane, Blog 2), only every 6-months PAAC plans to denote plans for stop consolidation on four-6 new routes. We're also going to begin including data virtually this program in these quarterly service adjustment blogs.

The next fix of service adjustments volition go into upshot on Sunday, March 15, 2020. Y'all tin check Port Authority's website to follow these quarterly service changes.

The @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline is a volunteer-run twitter account that gives riders updates on Port Authority'southward daily happenings. The Hotline has no official connexion to the Port Authority (once more, it is a volunteer-run twitter account) but the updates are helpful notwithstanding. The Hotline is a large supporter of PPT, and an enormous advocate for public transit. We're thankful for they're support and happy to share this rundown of the quarterly service changes compiled by the @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline.

Rundown of quarterly Service adjustments, with takeaways from the @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline

The @Bus_Info_Hotline's overall takeaway is that this Quarterly Service Changes Update is full of Wow factor this time around!

A lot of PPT mini-victories here and other public goods being served this become around.

đź‘Ź So clap along with united states cause we're happy, and building a system for and by its riders.đź‘Ź

Road changes beneath volition go into effect on Dominicus, March 15, 2020:

2 – Mount Regal – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed from the timetable to meliorate on-time performance. Weekend service has been added betwixt Millvale and downtown Pittsburgh via the Strip District.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'south takeaway:

The expanded 2 service is amazing! To offset on the super positive side, PPT and the Community can claim this as a Victory since Millvale is getting their coach service back on Weekends + holidays! This was part of a customs campaign of the organisation going dorsum to 2016! Lots of people organized for a long fourth dimension to brand this happen. Thanks to everyone who was involved.

On the downside, the new 2 service only runs a loop through Millvale Loop and leaves out the Royal-Shaler-Etna and McKnight Corridors. Unfortunately, the new weekend service starts manner late in the AM and ends as well early in the PM. Another concerning trend that we've seen is that Port Authority has been making slight changes to meliorate On Time Performance (OTP) – things like removing bus stops, tweaking headways, removing trips, etc. We're a little concerned that these small changes will have a large consequence on riders. Port Authority should not move to sweep these changes nether the carpet, no matter how seemingly small. For an example of this, see the changes made last year to routes like the 77 and 69; which at present mean that some 69 trips take been skipping Wilmerding, and weekend 77 headways are farther apart and have lost a trip on the weekend.

On the whole, the 2 sees some peachy changes, simply there is room for further improvement.

iv – Troy Hill – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points take been removed to improve on-time operation.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'south takeaway:

Current schedules with new ones given past treatment of the 77 and 69 routes. Tiny changes that may have a large effect on riders.

12 – McKnight – Schedules have been revised and some time points take been removed from timetable to improve on-time performance.

28X – Drome Flyer – Buses traveling to the airdrome will not serve Boulevard of the Allies and will remain on Fifth Avenue in Uptown due to construction.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'due south takeaway:

Scheduling revisions due to multiple ongoing besides equally planned upcoming short and long term construction projects thru the next 1 to 3 years. Glad they decided to update the schedules instead of leaving bus riders with late buses for the side by side iii years.

36 Banksville – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'south takeaway:

Current schedules with new ones given past treatment of the 77 and 69 routes. Tiny changes that may have a big effect on riders.

38 – Greentree – Trips operating to and from Mt. Lebanon will now operate along Greentree Road and through the West End and Carson Street. Travel times and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance. Some trips have been adjusted to meliorate on-time performance.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'southward takeaway:

At the request of their local elected representatives and with community back up West Finish and the community of Ridgemont accept won actress service in the form of rerouted 38M trips! Chalk one for transit advancement!

41 – Bower Hill – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to meliorate on-fourth dimension operation.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

Current schedules with new ones given past handling of the 77 and 69 routes. Tiny changes that may have a big consequence on riders.

52L – Homeville Limited – Schedules have been adjusted and some fourth dimension points take been removed to improve on-fourth dimension operation.

53 – Homestead Park – Sunday service has been added. Schedules have been adapted and some fourth dimension points have been removed to ameliorate on-time functioning.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

Another community victory subsequently years of organizing! 53 will brainstorm running 7-days a calendar week with service added on Sundays. When we fight nosotros win!

The only downside is in similar style to routes 2, 4, and 60; service will not showtime until belatedly in the forenoon and will end far also early in the afternoon (6pm-ish).

We sincerely promise Port Dominance extends service hours a scrap in a future comeback.

53L – Homestead Park Limited – Schedules have been adjusted and some fourth dimension points have been removed to better on-fourth dimension performance.

60 – Walnut-Crawford Village – Saturday service has been added. Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

This is definitely a customs victory, and one that PPT would accept organized for, but it turned out we didn't have to!

PPT and some amazing operators that work with PPT including amazing West Mifflin operators similar Sue Scanlon (who volunteers on PPT's Coordinating Commission) had previously discussed a PPT Campaign for the 60 however it seems the boxing was won before information technology started.

The sixty will begin running Sabbatum service but again volition suffer like the ii and 53 from the 11 FINEVIEW syndrome only worse. A Saturday schedule that feels like a Sunday schedule still starts late in the morning and stops way too early for a Saturday. The biggest disappointment on the 60 is when they implied weekend service some expected Sunday also.

We sincerely hope PAAC will wait at more services in time to come improvements or at a bare minimum making the schedule on the Saturday more in line with actual real Sat service

67 – Monroeville – Weekend service has been extended to CCAC'south Boyce Campus.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

Great news for CCAC students and virtually particularly folks working or traveling to UPMC Eastward Hospital or fifty-fifty past Monroeville Mall.

Complete weekend schedule revisions and the announcements that 7 twenty-four hour period a week service is being established across Monroeville Mall

The only thwarting is this expansion doesn't do much to increase the bridge of service only Weekend riders will likely appreciate having options at present

68 – Braddock Hills – Volition no longer operate on the weekends. Weekend service will instead be provided by the P68. Schedules have been adjusted and some time points take been removed to ameliorate on-fourth dimension operation.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

Route essentially eliminated, but don't Panic because of the new news on the P68. Read on to acquire more!

P68 – Braddock Hills Flyer – Weekend service has been added.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

Will run 7 days a week and provide a "ane seat ride with no transfer needed" for folks all along the 68/P68 road. ALL 68 trips accept been converted to P68 – WHICH DOES IN FACT SERVICE THE Due east BUSWAY FULLY Inbound, from Hay Street Ramp to Penn Station. The but exception being Wilkinsburg.

Unfortunately outbound all the same retains information technology's stricter cease restrictions (come across @PGH_BUS_INFO Twitter for an ongoing petition to remove nuscience stop restrictions).

The other upside to this 68/P68 expansion is its another prime case of expansion and modifications done the right fashion past PAAC. These changes finer expand service hours on Braddock Hills service to a piffling past 9pm on Sabbatum's (long overdue but still non late enough) and effectually 9pm on Sunday. It also adds a helper coach on the East Busway in between abysmal P1 service.

71 – Edgewood Boondocks Center – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'south takeaway:

Unfortunately, we remain disappointed to see that 71 trips still subsequently years of pleading have not yet been converted to P71 and that 71 too as P71 service and straight services to Edgewood Towne Eye still end way to early in our opinion. Information technology remains our promise that someday 71 or P71 tin can run all day via ETC on Weekdays till say 11pm and hopefully gain lost weekend service it's predecessors had.

G3 – Moon Flyer – Morn outbound and evening inbound trips have been modified to provide service to Cherrington Parkway.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

An out of nowhere merely pretty skilful community surprise. Starting time in March reverse commute trips will begin serving Cherrington Corporate Center like the old 28K days. Our disappointment though is it'southward a limited service only on contrary commutes and also does very little for the Airside Industrial Business Park on the contrary side of a non-pedestrian friendly college or for the still underserved University Blvd and Robert Morris College parts of the Moon corridor

We hope more improvements can be forthcoming anytime.

O5 – Thompson Run Flyer – Schedules accept been adjusted and some time points have been removed from timetable to better on-time performance.

O12 – McKnight Flyer – New service was added traveling outbound in the morning and inbound in the evening along Babcock Boulevard and Perry Highway and serving CCAC's North Hills campus. Seven additional outbound AM trips and 2 inbound PM trips have been added to improve connect the Due north Hills with downtown Pittsburgh.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'due south takeaway:

Another PPT Victory AND Community Victory! Previously part of PPT's "Perry Highway Entrada". After years of fighting, begging, pleading, suggestions and more than PAAC has graciously used the 012 to restore some modicum of service to CCAC Due north Campus and a sliver of Perry HWY that includes Pines Plaza, Manor Care, Northland Library, CCAC, and some walk-ability to Ingomar Road, Highland Route, Memorial Bulldoze, and Sheetz.

Unfortunately this service is Just on reverse commute trips but for pass or multi-employ fare product riders just barely navicable during peak/rush hours. We do promise that Mid-Day , evening and eventually other options are considered for Perry HWY + CCAC Due north

The other upside to this alter is 012 will see some expanded service hours in both AM and PM Rush.

P7 – McKeesport Flyer – Schedules accept been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'southward takeaway:

Disappointed to see that no nonpeak service is added as of even so…

P12 – Vacation Park Flyer – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points have been removed to improve on-time performance.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'southward takeaway:

Disappointed to see no later morning time or afterwards evening trips and no added reverse commute trips simply hopeful for the future

P13 Mount Royal Flyer – Some time points have been removed to improve on-fourth dimension performance.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'south takeaway:

Again disappointed that no contrary commutes added, yet disappointed the route notwithstanding  hasn't returned to using the East Busway and Washington Blvd and disappointed no later AM OR PM trips added nonetheless.

P71 – Swissvale Flyer – Schedules have been adjusted and some time points accept been removed to amend on-time functioning.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

Again every bit previously stated disappointed that no Midday – PM Evening or weekend services added  just hopeful for the future

Bluish Line Library –The Blue Line Library has been renamed the Silver Line Library to avoid defoliation with the Blueish Line South Hills Hamlet.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline's takeaway:

The hippest change on the listing which Port Authorisation even has a minor ad campaign for. Get-go in March the T gets an actress Silver Lining both literally and figuratively.

Yeah. in case y'all haven't heard the news; information technology's shiny, it'southward spiffy, and new.. the Blue Line Library ( BLLB ) becomes SILVER LINE Library!!! WOW! Mind diddled?

The change had been considered in the past but wasn't a top priority. The modify is being made to hopefully lesson rider defoliation by patrons that misfile the two current Blue Line variations and we gotta say the proper name and new schedules and signage await pretty swanky.

So when your Southward Hills commute is looking a little bluish remember Port Authority has that silver lining!

Rundown of Quarterly Cease Consolidation, with takeaways from the @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline'southward takeaway:

Riders have been making their voices heard in their call for a better process on Bus End Consolidation! They were able to slow downwardly the process – PAAC moved their plan to a 6-month timeline. This will give more than time to better ameliorate how they're including riders as leaders in shaping the process. Bank check out PPT's blog on this hither.

We won't come across stop consolidation again until next quarter, just riders should requite Port Authority their feedback on how consolidation on the 48. 88, 16, and 51 accept effected their rides.

@PGH_Bus_Info Hotline, signing out:

This was an exciting quarter of Additionally, there may be more unexpected PPT Victory forthcoming such equally 2 Mt Imperial-Millvale on weekends and holidays 60 On Weekends and holidays and other positive changes between that. And proceed on the lookout for potentially starting 24/7 service on a few routes adjacent fall 2019 to 2020!

It looks to exist another astonishing year at PortAuthority and for riders despite a few missteps. Nosotros applaud the dominance for continued system improvements merely remind them that continued improvements must non finish or slow down!

Port Authority Customer Service can be reached via twitter, the website or a phonecall: 412-442-2000

The @PGH_BUS_INFO Hotline can exist reached by phone @ 412-759-3335 Simply When PortAuthority Customer Service is Closed/unavailable

Or via Twitter anytime: @PGH_BUS_INFO

The PGH Bus Info Hotline will be back on PPT'due south blog in for the next gear up of Quarter Service Adjustments. See ya then! (And if you want, you can check out 2019's changes in these blogs: Q4 changes here, Q3 changes here, Or Q2's changes here)

PPT members are creating a graphic novel serial on transit justice, and we desire you to join in

PPT Members are planning big things for our March Full general Meeting. Together nosotros're creating a Transit Justice Graphic Novel series. The showtime topic will be on #FairFares. How will the globe be different when we accept organized and won #FairFares for everyone in Allegheny County? Join united states at our March General Meeting to start the process with a artistic brainstorm: March 11, 6pm Social Hour // 7pm General Meeting, 1 Smithfield St. A team of artists will assist the states sketch out the hereafter of transit justice.

An expanded, attainable transit network to connect our region and beyond? A full fleet of electric buses? Walkable communities with family-owned businesses and affordable housing? A organisation without fares? A Green New Deal moved frontwards by transit labor? A transit agency led past its riders? Robust transit funding with corporations paying their off-white share? Intersectional coalitions that organize boldly for collective liberation?

The true liberty to move?

Meeting 1: Transit Justice Graphic Novel Brainstorm
March 11 // 6pm Social Hr // 7pm Full general Meeting
i Smithfield Street

The Transit Justice Graphic Novel Project

Led by our members, PPT is moving to create a 4-part graphic novel series to tell the story of how our future transit system looks when riders & operators have organized and won campaigns for transit equity.

Through a series of moderated brainstorming workshops, PPT members volition develop a shared vision of how our communities are transformed by deep rider-led organizing. We'll work together with writers and artists continued to the movement to create a story that actually illustrates what this hereafter looks like.

The get-go coming together is March 11th to focus on a #FairFares time to come. Bring together us to brainstorm ideas and get involved in the project. More dates to come.

On March twelfth from 6 pm to 8 pm, PPT will hold a community meeting to plan next steps on the Beyond the East Busway Campaign. Nosotros desire you lot and your neighbors involved!

Pittsburghers for Public Transit is working with communities on a rider-led campaign to extend the East Busway through the Mon Valley to McKeesport, and the Eastern Suburbs to Monroeville. Over this past summer, nosotros rolled out a customs-driven transit planning tool and organizing fellowship in order to solicit input from the customs on what they wanted the future of their transit to wait like. With the help of our fellows, nosotros surveyed over 500 residents in the corridor. On March 12th, we want to share the data with you, and make the program to win.

Beyond the Due east Busway Campaign Planning Meeting
March 12, 6-8pm
Pittsburgh Mennonite Church
Piece of cake access via East Busway routes, 61A, 59, or 61B. Shoot an email if yous need help with a ride: info@pittsburghforpublictransit.org

Volunteer to assistance PPT Phonebank on 3/5 to plow out advocates

We're reaching out to all 500 neighbors who alive in the Mon Valley & Monroeville to invite them to the planning meeting on 3/12. Help us call through these numbers – and go some FREE PIZZA too! We'll meet at the Thomas Merton Middle, iii/5, from 5pm to 8pm. Delight bring a cell telephone and computer if you have information technology.

On February 20th, 2020  Port Authority announced that it would ho-hum down on its plan to consolidate bus stops along all 97 of its bus routes. Instead of evaluating new routes for stop consolidation every three-months, it will move to a 6-month schedule. This is no doubt a win for riders. The slower schedule will let Port Dominance more time to retool their approach to omnibus finish consolidation, and it will requite riders more than fourth dimension to have their voices heard.

Port Authority has taken steps to meliorate its stop consolidation programme since its initial ringlet-out in September. But this is in no minor part due to the organized efforts of hundreds of riders in Carrick, North Side, Garfield, Bloomfield and the remainder of the canton – publishing stance pieces, attention meetings, canvassing riders on buses, and submitting feedback.

Port Authority needs to employ this momentum to continue improving its procedure to build a system that supports all of its riders.

Steps forward towards bus end consolidation that works for all riders:

one. Port Authority needs to define success.

What are the specific goals of jitney terminate consolidation? A 10% increase to on-time performance? A 5-minute decrease in road run-time? More than fifty-fifty stop spacing? Having more omnibus stops in the system comply with the Port Authority'due south bus cease infrastructure guidelines?

Conversely, are there metrics that would take the program be put on agree or even reversed?  For example, what if the information showed a 2% subtract in overall ridership or a 5% reduction in usage by persons with disabilities?

It'south problematic that the Port Authority appears to be using the jitney stop consolidation process to eliminate stops that have poor infrastructure rather than seeking to piece of work with municipalities to meliorate bus finish infrastructure when deficiencies are identified. This should never exist the instance. Cars are parked illegally at autobus stops? Install bollards and paint. Speeding traffic? Lower the speed limit. Dangerous street crossing? Pigment loftier-viz crosswalks. There are depression-price ways to meliorate pedestrian prophylactic, rather than forcing riders to walk further in unsafe conditions.

ii. Eliminating a quarter of the motorbus stops in the system has major impacts on the passenger feel and admission to transit. These impacts abound exponentially as more routes are consolidated.

We've heard that the Port Authorization doesn't believe that autobus riders are willing to give feedback unless their stops are the ones being eliminated. The trouble is the Port Authority has not said what exactly the trade-off is. Riders are being asked to limit their entry and go out points into the arrangement for…what?

Beyond defining success, Port Say-so needs to approach this procedure from the perspective of a rider. How will improvements to on-time functioning translate into meaningful user benefits? It'south worth noting that in Port Say-so's 2018 Rider Survey, riders were most satisfied with Port Authority's bus service getting them to their destination in a reasonable corporeality of time (86%), and 80% were satisfied with Port Say-so'south on-time functioning. Indeed, if riders are using apps & texting to bank check arrival times, and so on-time performance is hardly perceptible, particularly if we're talking about a minute or two difference. What is instead very noticeable to riders is how much further they accept to walk, on widely-varying sidewalk infrastructure and in all types of weather to access their new stops. Can riders expect increased service frequency with any operating savings? Is there a program for bus shelter installations at the remaining stops?

Eliminating twenty-25% of stops should not be considered an cease in itself. It cannot be the single published metric for Port Authority staff to determine how many stops are slated for removal on any given route. Instead, Port Authority should be assessing the proximity of specific stops to one another, side by side amenities, sidewalk/safe crossing infrastructure between stops and to nearby destinations, slope, bus stop usage etc, and and so make up one's mind how many and which stops to eliminate, if any. Which brings us to our next point:

three. In the selection of double-decker stops to be removed, Port Authority needs to evidence their piece of work.

There accept been some baffling stops selected for removal during the consolidation process of the 16, 51, 48 and 88, and the average proposed spacing now betwixt stops far exceeds Port Authority's ain bus stop guidelines and is at present random and uneven. Port Authority should lay out the specific data points being considered during the jitney stop selection process and assign a weight to each signal. Port Authority should also conspicuously land how rider or stakeholder (business organization/social service agency/housing development) feedback will inform the decision-making in the last selection process. Is at that place additional consideration given to different jitney stop users (older adults, children, riders with disabilities) and uses (such as proximity to a infirmary, senior center or grocery shop)?

Port Authority should share how many responses they take received about specific bus stops slated for removal. Riders or other stakeholders will be discouraged from weighing in if it'south non apparent that the feedback is beingness heard and responded to.  And Port Dominance should consider providing the passenger vehicle stops emptying list to community organizations forth a route prior to posting the individual stops. This would let these organizations to point out specifics regarding finish use that may take gone unseen by Port Dominance staff.

Port Potency likewise needs to gather and nowadays data on the real impacts of bus terminate consolidation on riders, and written report it on a regular basis. This data should be measured against the Port Authorisation goals for the project every bit well equally against their Title VI obligations to ensure that there are non disparate impacts on protected classes (depression-income communities, people with disabilities, people of color, older adults, etc).

4. Finally, Port Say-so needs to compare apples to apples in its evaluation of omnibus stop consolidation. Every endeavour should be made to ensure comparative data is not skewed and that comparisons are fair and legitimate.

We empathize that there are several simultaneous efforts being undertaken to improve on-fourth dimension operation, including modifying bus schedules to more accurately reverberate run times and recent efforts to enforce operators leaving the garages at the scheduled time. Moreover, traffic congestion has the unmarried biggest impact on on-time operation, which is widely variable during the winter months due to inclement atmospheric condition, college schoolhouse schedules, and holiday travel days. Data that evaluates the alter in on-time performance of consolidated routes should also be compared against other routes' historic and current run times, to accept a clear moving picture of what run-fourth dimension improvements are owing solely to the jitney cease consolidation effort.

On February quaternary, to celebrate Rosa Parks' birthday and National Transit Equity Day, over 60 attendees gathered to launch the new #FairFares Coalition & Policy Platform. The platform is the culmination of years of advocacy and efforts by thousands of riders– canvassing, signing petitions, mailing postcards, rallying, testifying for fare equity and decriminalization of fare enforcement.

The #FairFares policy is put frontward at a critical moment as the Port Authority begins its public outreach to collect feedback on its fare structure. It is vital for riders to use these public meetings to put forward a progressive vision and values to guide Port Authority in its work.

Endorse the #FairFares Platform

For disinterestedness, for dignity, for freedom to move.

Read the full platform below and sign your name to support.

#FairFares: its what our county needs to brand transit accessible for all

Guiding principles on which the coalition puts forward this campaign:

Public transit is a public utility and a human and civil right. Public transit can non be structured as a fee-for-service model or equally a business concern. Riders create a healthier and more sustainable environment in Allegheny County by choosing public transit over unmarried-occupancy vehicles.

Corporations and large regional non-profits must pay their fair share of the price of funding public transit because they disproportionately benefit from the service. Fares must non be a principal mechanism for funding public transit.

Fares must not be a barrier to admission to public transit, so policies must be enacted to eliminate whatsoever barriers due to cost, convoluted cost structures, inaccessible fare payment systems, and hostile or overly punitive fare enforcement policies. Fares must exist equitable, effectively communicated, and hands accessible to people regardless of income, age, race, gender, ability, language, geographical location, and immigration status. The electric current fare construction disproportionately impacts classes that must be protected by ceremonious rights law.

#FairFares Entrada Policy Proposals

Guided by these principles, riders and the #FairFares Coalition worked to enquiry and document dozens of opportunities for improvement to the transit fare system along four primal planks: fare cost, fare enforcement, fare payment processes, and fare incentive programs.

Each plank begins by documenting the electric current weather for Port Potency riders. Before layout out the #FairFares Coalition's values for the plank. Finally, each plank goes on to lay out both brusk-term and long-term goals to improve the fare system for riders and for our communities.

1. Fare Cost (What people pay for fares)

How is the arrangement currently structured?

  • $2.50 on Connect Carte
  • $2.75 with cash
  • $1.00 for showtime transfer under the CONNECT card inside 3 hours
  • Cash users pay total fare for each transfer
  • $ane.25 fare for riders with disabilities
  • $ane.25 fare for children 6-12
  • Free for seniors and children nether 6.
  • Cost is bundled into the tuition for university students at Pitt, Chatham University and CMU. Free for PPS students.

Fare Cost: #FairFares Coalition Values

  • No one should be prohibited from taking transit because of the toll.
  • Fare structure must heart the most vulnerable people, and not privilege the commutes or access to the basic needs of those with the about resources.

Fare Cost: Brusque-term Goals

  • Free transfers
  • Fare capping (CONNECT card automatically converts to a daily/weekly/monthly/yearly laissez passer when the price of the pass is paid in single uses.)
  • Ubiquitous access to the CONNECT carte, but cash fares should be the same as CONNECT card fares in the interim

Fare Cost: Long-term Goals

  • Low-income fare program
  • Free transit for people nether 18
  • Costless fares for riders with disabilities
  • Free fares system-wide by 2030

2. Fare Payment Procedure (How people pay and access fares)

How is the organization currently structured?

  • Riders can pay via cash, ConnectCard, Senior Pass, Pupil Pass, and Discount pass
  • ConnectCards can exist purchased from a Giant Hawkeye and other authorized vendors, at the Port Authority Transit Middle, at CONNECT Card kiosks, or online.
  • Port Authority Mobile App is awaiting.

Fare Payment Procedure: #FairFares Coalition Values

  • Fare payment must be hands attainable and equitable for anybody in all forms regardless of socio-economic status, linguistic communication, ability, cyberbanking status, proximity to CONNECT carte du jour kiosks, and admission to the internet. Greenbacks payment must ever be an choice.

Fare Payment Procedure: Short-term Goals

  • Release of an equitable mobile app, including enabling fare capping, access for un-banked users, and data in multiple languages.
  • Ubiquitous CONNECT card access
  • Passes that start when you lot tap not by the calendar.

Fare Payment Process: Long-term Goals

  • Ability to load fares onto cards while on the bus
  • Ability to pay for multiple fares and fare types on i card
  • Ability to access coin loaded onto your CONNECT Menu immediately.
  • Fare payment process must be compatible with transit agencies across the ten Canton region, ACCESS and Healthy Ride
  • Policy of fare payment before boarding on the station platform must be implemented on the T, the busways and the future BRT (also known as off-board fare payment).
  • CONNECT card kiosks must accept several linguistic communication options.
  • At that place needs to exist a reporting mechanism for documenting cleaved CONNECT card machines.

3. Enforcement of Fare Payments

How is the system currently structured?

  • The first criminal offence is documented simply not prosecuted. The second offense tin result in upward to a $300 criminal penalty for criminal trespass. The third offense can result in a misdemeanor and up to thirty days in jail. All incidents are run through the police database.
  • In that location is no entreatment procedure inside Port Authority.
  • Armed Port Authority constabulary enforce fare payment, merely whatever fines paid or criminal proceedings have place in the municipality where the incident occurred.

Enforcement of Fare Payment: #FairFares Coalition Values

  • Everyone deserves to be safe on transit
  • Non-payment should lead to additional resources, not punishment
  • Enforcement must exist done equitably

Enforcement of Fare Payment: Short-term Goals

  • Civilian, multilingual fare "ambassadors" rather than armed law fare enforcers.
  • Brand fare evasion a non-criminal crime, similar parking violations, with depression fines and community service as an choice.
  • Port Potency should take a policy of not-communication with Ice

Enforcement of Fare Payment: Long-term Goals

  • Civilian fare ambassadors, when encountering possible fare evasion, should instead straight riders on how to pay their fare, and aid riders who are eligible for low-income fares sign up for the program.
  • Riders should have the pick to load any fines levied equally a upshot of fare evasion straight onto the passenger's CONNECT Carte.
  • At that place needs to be a public, annual inspect of fare enforcement touch across gender, race, ability, and economic status.
  • Port Authority needs to implement independent civilian oversight commissions for fare ambassadors and Port Authority police.

4. Fare Incentive Programs

How is the system currently structured?

  • Coach passes are purchased in bulk for CMU and Pitt students. The Universities are charged fifty% per employ.
  • Pre-revenue enhancement transit passes available through some employers
  • Pittsburgh Public Schoolhouse purchases in bulk for high school students

Fare Incentive Programs: #FairFares Coalition Values

  • Incentive programs make public transit a more convenient and attractive transportation option than unmarried-occupancy vehicles
  • Fare incentive programs should be designed to increase ridership, not profit.
  • Programs need to centre vulnerable and protected classes, and redistribute the cost of fares onto corporations, developers, and other agencies.

Fare Incentive Programs: Short-term Goals

  • Shakespeare Behemothic Eagle campaign: Calling for parking reductions to pay for majority bus passes for residents, deepened housing affordability, nutrient justice goals and bike/ped improvements.
  • Regular Free Fare Days over the Summertime of 2021 funded by the Health Department's Make clean Air Fund.

Fare Incentive Programs: Long-term Goals

  • Enable bulk transit pass packages for corporations, events and conferences, cultural orgs, universities, and developers.
  • Disbelieve pricing for off-peak hours and weekends to bolster ridership
  • Family passes
  • Gratis transit on RADical days funded by the County RAD tax.

SIGN ON TO Back up THE #FAIRFARES POLICY