News Releases
November 1 - Non-essential Employees to be Dismissed Early on Monday
November 1 - More than 40 Bus Routes to Detour on Sunday for EQT Pittsburgh 10-Miler, 10K
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 1, 2024) - More than 40 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured on Sunday, November 3 for the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon's EQT Pittsburgh 10-Miler and 10K.
The events start at Station Square and travel through the West End, North Shore, Strip District, and downtown Pittsburgh.
About a dozen bus routes will be detoured from the start of service. The remaining bus routes will start detouring about 6:30 a.m. Detours will end when streets reopen about 1 p.m.
Detours for individual bus routes can be found at www.rideprt.org/detours/.
Riders with questions about service are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service. Customer Service representatives are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends. Representatives are available via chat (at www.rideprt.org) from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends.
###
October 30 - PRT to Provide Update on the 2024-2028 Rail Projects
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 30, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will host an online public meeting next to provide a status update on the 2024-2028 light rail projects.
The meeting will be held online from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13. Those interested in attending can register at www.rideprt.org/railprojects.
PRT employees will provide a recap of the work completed on the Red Line last summer and an overview of future investments in the light rail system.
For more details on the rail projects, visit www.rideprt.org/railprojects.
###
October 29 - PRT to Host Bus Line Redesign Meeting in Downtown
October 25 - Traffic Lanes to be Reconfigured in downtown Pittsburgh
October 25 - PRT Board Approves Contact for Second Phase of University Line Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 25, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board today awarded a $99.8 million construction contract to Independence Excavating for the second phase of the University Line, Allegheny County’s first on-street bus rapid transit project under the PRTX brand.
The second phase spans about three miles from the edge of Uptown to Oakland along Fifth and Forbes avenues. It is among the most-traveled corridors in Pennsylvania.
“We’re extremely excited for Phase Two to begin and for the entire project to get going,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “The University Line will not only bring more transit, bicycle, and pedestrian amenities and safety but will also serve to improve and revitalize the neighbors in which it operates.”
Phase Two includes 18 new transit stations located along six miles of dedicated bus-only lanes, two miles of protected bike lanes, and a host of amenities including new sidewalks, street trees and lighting, and curbs with accessible ramps. Station amenities include fare vending machines, emergency phones, seating, lighting, real-time bus arrival signs, and security cameras.
Thirty-nine intersections throughout the corridor will be modernized to include safety and accessibility improvements such as ADA-compliant curb ramps and crosswalks, new traffic signals and accessible pedestrian signals with push-button activators and illuminated pedestrian countdown signals. Eventually, buses will have traffic signal priority throughout most of the corridor.
To support service, PRT will add 69 new buses to the fleet by the end of the year. Fifty-four will be 60-foot clean diesel articulated buses and 15 will be 60-foot battery-electric articulated buses.
PRT will host meetings with the community and stakeholders before Phase Two construction begins in spring 2025. Phase Two construction is estimated to take 24 to 30 months to complete.
PRT's Board awarded Independence Excavating a $27.9 million contract in March 2023 for Phase One in downtown Pittsburgh. Construction began in September 2023 and includes five stations on Fifth and Sixth avenues. The first phase is expected to be completed in Spring 2025.
PRT has budgeted $291 million for the total project, more than half of which is federally funded.
To sign-up for PRTX University Line project updates, please visit https://bit.ly/ULine-newshub.
October 18 - East Busway to Reopen at 5 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 18, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will reopen the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway at 5 p.m., one week after a landslide in Polish Hill closed a portion of the roadway.
Crews today placed 34 concrete barriers and 21 concrete blocks along the 272-foot stretch where a portion of the hillside collapsed, dumping tons of mud and trees across both lanes of the busway. The barriers will serve as a protective barricade to prevent additional debris from falling onto the busway and disrupting operations.
Buses traveling through the area will use the lane farthest from the hillside, and all vehicles will be restricted to 25-miles-per-hour.
Additional field observations and a geotechnical assessment will help PRT determine when the busway can return to normal operations.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway is one of PRT's most heavily traveled corridors, serving approximately 12,000 riders every weekday.
October 17 - East Busway Reopening Efforts Underway
October 17 - Steel Plaza Station Entrance on Sixth Avenue to Close for One Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Sixth Avenue entrance to Steel Plaza Station will be closed for one week starting Monday, October 21.
The closure will allow PRT’s contractor to install a new sidewalk and curb for the University Line’s Steel Plaza Station. All other entrances will remain open.
PRT's Board awarded Independence Excavating of Cheswick a $27.9 million construction contract for Phase I in March 2023. Construction began in September 2023 and includes five transit stations on Fifth and Sixth avenues in downtown Pittsburgh. Construction on the first phase expected to be completed in Spring 2025.
PRT has budgeted $291 million for the total project, more than half of which is federally funded.
To sign-up University Line project updates, please visit https://bit.ly/ULine-newshub.
###
October 15 - PRT Taking Steps to Reopen East Busway, No Timeline Set
October 11 - A Portion of the East Busway to Remain Closed Due to Landslide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 11, 2024) - A portion of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway will remain closed at least through early next week, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced this evening.
A landslide related to a water main break in Polish Hill early Friday dumped tons of mud and trees onto the roadway, forcing PRT to close the busway between the Strip District and Oakland until further notice.
Although PRT crews have removed the majority of the debris, engineers need to monitor the hillside and conduct geotechnical borings to evaluate its stability and ensure it is not at risk of additional landslides.
PRT buses will continue to detour around the closed portion of the busway.
Inbound bus routes that use the busway are detouring inbound from the Neville Street ramp through North Oakland, Bloomfield, and the Strip District, and getting back onto the busway at 26th Street. Outbound buses are exiting the busway at 26th Street and detouring through the Strip District, Bloomfield, and North Oakland, and getting back onto the busway at Neville Street. The detour is adding approximately 15 to 20 minutes to each trip.
Riders with questions about service or detours are encouraged to call PRT Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
October 11 - Regular Weekday Service Scheduled for Monday, October 14
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 11, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, October 14.
PRT's Customer Service representatives will be available, and the Downtown Service Center will be open regular weekday hours. Administrative offices are also open regular weekday hours.
Customer Service representatives are available to chat on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and by phone from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Downtown Service Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
###
October 11 - Landslide Closes Portion of East Busway
Pittsburgh Regional Transit crews are working diligently to clear the busway. There is currently no estimate for when the busway will reopen.
September 30 - PRT Unveils, Seeks Public Input on Draft Bus Network
September 20 - Next Service Adjustment Starts October 20
- The G2-West Busway is being extended to Penn Station on the East Busway because of a long-term detour.
- The 29-Robinson will terminate at CCAC West due to the closure of Pittsburgh Technical College.
- A temporary rail route called the “Subway Local” will operate between Allegheny Station and South Hills Junction to support upcoming rail projects.
Riders are encouraged to contact Customer Service with any questions at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
August 29 - Labor Day Weekend Detours and Service
- On Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m, inbound and outbound 61C-McKeesport-Homestead, 61D-Murray, and 64-Lawrenceville-Waterfront routes will detour off Murray Avenue for the Squirrel Hill Night Market.
- On Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the outbound 11-Fineview will detour off Wilson Avenue for a community block party in Perry-Hilltop.
- Also on Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., the 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood (inbound and outbound) will detour for the closure of Beacon Street to celebrate the grand opening of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh’s new building.
- On Monday, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 11 bus routes will be detoured on the North Shore for the annual Steelers 5K Race.
August 28 - Red Line to Reopen on Sunday, September 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 28, 2024) – After two-and-a-half months of construction, the Red Line will resume regular service on Sunday, September 1.
“I want to thank our riders for their patience during this project,” said Pittsburgh Regional Transit CEO Katharine Kelleman. “I also want to thank Amalgamated Transit Union Local No. 85 for working with us to ensure riders had several alternate options during this closure.”
PRT will be running several test trips between Dormont Junction and South Hills Junction through Saturday, August 31.
The Red Line has been closed since June 16 for several safety-critical maintenance projects. Contractors replaced several thousand feet of light-rail track and reconstructed four grade crossings. While the Red Line was shut down, crews also tackled some non-safety-critical projects to decrease the potential of future closures.
The work is among several light-rail infrastructure investments PRT has planned over the next few years totaling more than $150 million. In January 2025, PRT will complete the restoration of the concrete rail foundations inside the subway tunnels under the Central Business District, and in February 2025, crews are scheduled to start replacing the tracks inside the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel. Replacing the tracks inside the Mt. Lebanon Transit Tunnel and rehabilitating the Panhandle Bridge are also projects in the pipeline.
Riders with questions about service are encouraged to contact Customer Service with any questions at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
August 21 - Blue Line Stations to Close for Maintenance Work
-
Boggs Station: Closed from 8 p.m. Friday, August 23, until the start of service on Monday, August 26. Riders should instead use Bon Air or South Hills Junction.
-
Denise Station: Closed from 8 p.m. Friday, September 6, until the start of service on Monday, September 9. Riders should instead use Bon Air or South Bank.
-
Memorial Hall Station: Closed from 8 p.m. Friday, September 13, until the start of service on Monday, September 16. Riders should instead use Willow or Killarney.
-
Overbrook Junction: The inbound platform will be closed from 7 a.m. on Thursday, September 26 to the start of service on Monday, September 30. A temporary low-level platform will be constructed, and riders will board and exit rail cars using the temporary platform. Riders who need to use the ramp should instead board Blue Line or Silver Line rail cars at nearby Willow Station. Those who specifically need to use the Red Line should board rail cars at Castle Shannon Station or Washington Junction.
August 6 - Construction to Start at South Hills Junction This Month
July 26 - PRT Board Takes First Step Toward Purchasing New Rail Cars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 26, 2024) - Oh, that new rail car smell!
Pittsburgh Regional Transit's Board today took the first step toward purchasing new rail vehicles.
PRT's Board approved a resolution authorizing the agency to submit a letter of interest to the Build America Bureau for the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Investment Act program, a federal loan program that allows transit agencies to borrow up to 49% of the cost for eligible projects.
The average age of a rail car in PRT's existing fleet is 33 years.
"Although our current fleet of rail cars are in good condition for their age, it's clear that modernization is necessary as we prepare for the future," said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. "This is a long process, but submitting this letter of interest is the first step that will allow us to move this vision to reality."
PRT estimates the total cost of new rail cars to be about $750 million, with the remainder of the funds come from bond issuances. PRT also plans to pursue grant opportunities.
The new rail procurement process is expected to take approximately 12 years.
Exactly what the new rail cars will look like is still being decided; PRT has formed an internal committee to determine what features and amenities should be included. Special attention is being paid to accessibility, safety, and amenities for riders.
"A new fleet of rail cars will ensure that we can have a future light rail network that is reliable and dependable, ensuring a smoother and more dependable transit experience for decades to come," Kelleman said. "It's a lengthy journey but this is a crucial first step and I'm genuinely excited about the potential it holds for our transit system and the communities we serve."
July 26 - PRT Seeks Feedback on New Pass Option
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 26, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking feedback on a new program that could make taking the bus, light-rail or the inclines more accessible and significantly less expensive for thousands of people across Allegheny County.
The PRTner Pass aims to increase ridership on PRT vehicles by offering multi-family property owners and managers with more than 10 units, secondary and post-secondary schools, and employers 70% off, reducing the cost to just $28 per monthly pass. Participating entities would be required to purchase passes for 100% of their eligible employees, students, or housing units, with certain exceptions and exclusions to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and fiscal viability.
"The PRTner Pass can be a win for transit, the participating entities, and riders," said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. "We're excited about the potential of this program and the positive impact it can have on our region."
PRT's Board today approved a 60-day public comment period starting on Monday, August 12 and continuing through Friday, October 11. During the public comment period, PRT will host two one-hour information sessions, at 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, September 10, and a public hearing on Thursday, September 12 at 1 p.m.
Anyone interested in joining the information session or providing testimony at the public hearing can sign up at www.rideprt.org/PRTnerPass. Testimony is also being collected online, beginning on August 12, via U.S. Mail or by calling 412-566-5335.
Following the public comment period and final Board approval, PRT expects to roll out the PRTner Pass early next year.
The PRTner Pass program came about following a pilot study through the generous support of the Heinz Endowments in 2023. After a meticulous application process, PRT issued more than 100 passes to four employers, enabling their employees to use the Ready2Ride mobile application to experience the benefits of public transit at an unprecedented low cost. The program increased transit use and influenced job choices, and employers expressed overwhelming enthusiasm and a strong desire to continue the program beyond the initial phase.
###
July 25 - University Line Construction to Close a Portion of Sixth Avenue on Saturday
July 25 - Platform Maintenance to Temporarily Close Blue Line Station Platforms Over the Next Several Weekends
- McNeilly Station: Closed from 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, until the start of service on Monday, July 29. Riders should use Killarney or South Bank stations during this time.
- Denise Station: Closed from 8 p.m. Friday, August 2, until the start of service on Monday, August 5. Riders should use Bon Air or South Bank stations during this time.
- Memorial Hall Station: Closed from 8 p.m. Friday, August 9, until the start of service on Monday, August 12. Riders should use Willow or Killarney stations during this time.
- Boggs Station: Closed from 8 p.m. Friday, August 16, until the start of service on Monday, August 19. Riders should use Bon Air or South Hills Junction stations during this time.
July 17 - Buses to Detour for Picklesburgh, East Busway Paving
July 15 - Contractors Reach Milestone in Red Line Project
July 15 - PRT Seeking Bids for Phase II of University Line Bus Rapid Transit Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 15, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit has begun seeking bids for construction on Phase II of the University Line bus rapid transit project.
Phase II includes the Fifth and Forbes Avenue corridor from the edge of downtown Pittsburgh through the city's Uptown and Oakland neighborhoods.
PRT issued the bid documents on Sunday and expects to award a contract this fall. Bid documents can be found at https://www.rideprt.org/business-center/procurement/bids-and-rfps/.
Once a contract is awarded, PRT will host meetings with the community and stakeholders before construction begins in spring 2025. Construction is expected to take about two years.
The University Line will deploy battery-electric buses in dedicated lanes to transport thousands of riders between Oakland and downtown Pittsburgh, the second- and third-largest economic centers in Pennsylvania.
Phase II will include more than four miles of dedicated bus lanes, new traffic signals capable of giving buses priority over other vehicles, new bike lanes and shared-use paths, and pedestrian improvements like wider sidewalks that are accessible for individuals with disabilities.
It will also include 18 new transit stations along Fifth and Forbes avenues, most of which will include real-time bus arrival signs, fare vending machines, seating, and lighting.
"This will be a transformative project not just for public transit but for the communities in which it operates," said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman.
PRT's Board awarded Independence Excavating of Cheswick a $27.9 million construction contract for Phase I in March 2023. Construction began in September 2023. Phase I includes five transit stations on Fifth and Sixth avenues in downtown Pittsburgh, each with similar amenities to the stations in Phase II.
PRT has budgeted $291 million for the total project, more than half of which is federally funded.
To receive the most up-to-date information on the University Line bus rapid transit project, visit https://bit.ly/ULine-newshub.
###
July 12 - Killarney Station closed for repairs this weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 12, 2023) – Killarney Station on the Blue Line in Whitehall will be closed for repairs from Friday, July 12 at 8p.m. until the start of service on Monday, July 15.
Riders who use Killarney Station should instead use Memorial Hall or McNeilly stations.
Riders who need a ride to the next available accessible station should call ACCESS at 412-562-5353 or TTY 711 to schedule an appointment.
Those with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on X (formerly Twitter) @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
July 2 - Service Information for Independence Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 2, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate modified service on Thursday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday.
Buses will operate on Sunday schedules, with a half-dozen routes detoured from about 8:45 p.m. until the end of service for the partial closure of streets near Gateway Center in downtown Pittsburgh. Detours for these routes can be found at www.rideprt.org/detours/.
The light rail system will operate on special holiday schedules that can be found at
www.rideprt.org/holidays.
The Monongahela Incline will be open and fare-free from 8:45 a.m. to midnight.
PRT Customer Service representatives will be available by phone from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on X (formerly Twitter) @pghtransitcare and via chat at www.rideprt.org from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
All transit service will resume regular weekday service on Friday, July 5.
###
June 28 - BikePGH's OpenStreets Impact to Service on Saturday
June 27 - PRT to Expand Digital Customer Service Hours July 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 27, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit is extending its digital customer service hours by two hours every weekday and one hour on Saturdays and Sundays starting July 1.
During these extended hours, PRT's digital customer service representatives will post service alerts on social media and TrueTime, and respond to inquiries via the chat feature at www.rideprt.org.
The agency intends to continue expanding its digital customer service hours in phases throughout the year.
“The way we reach our riders and how they reach us has evolved a lot over the years, and we’re excited to be able to provide additional information when and how our riders want it,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “By expanding our digital customer service hours, we can equip transit riders across Allegheny County with more information so they can be more confident and capable of getting to their destinations.”
Riders can manually check @pghtransitalerts on X (formerly Twitter) or sign up for push notifications at https://truetime.rideprt.org. The alerts will also be available from the TrueTime homepage.
“This is the first extension of our digital hours but not the last,” added Jim Ritchie, PRT’s chief communications officer whose division includes the Customer Service Department. “Whether it’s a bus that has to detour for an unexpected road closure, a trip we’re unable to staff, or a notice of a delay, it’s important for us to make sure our riders well-informed.”
Starting July 1, digital customer service representatives will be available:
- Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Weekends and holidays: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Customer service phone representatives will remain available:
- Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Weekends and holidays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PRT’s Downtown Service Center will also remain open:
- Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Weekends and holidays: Closed
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on X (formerly Twitter) @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.rideprt.org. PRT Customer Service is available (until June 30) on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
June 14 - PRT Service for Juneteenth National Freedom Day
June 12 - Red Line to Close through August
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 12, 2024) –Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Red Line service will be temporarily closed from June 16 until the end of August while crews complete several safety-critical construction projects.
The projects, which were initially planned to be completed separately, will now be completed simultaneously to streamline operations, maximize efficiency, and minimize disruptions while enhancing the overall reliability and safety of this critical transit corridor. The projects include replacing more than 10,000 feet of light-rail track and reconstructing four grade crossings in Castle Shannon, Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, and the Beechview neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh.
During the closure, all Red Line trips will be detoured via the Blue Line and will be renamed “Blue Line” to avoid confusion.
To supplement access to and from Beechview, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, and other South Hills communities, PRT will operate a free rail shuttle and two free temporary bus routes:
- The 37-Castle Shannon will operate every 30 minutes from the Castle Shannon Park and Ride and travel to Station Square via Castle Shannon Boulevard and West Liberty Avenue. Bus stops will be added at intersections closest to the light rail stations. Riders can transfer at Station Square to bus or light rail to downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore.
- The 42-Potomac will operate every 30 minutes (every 20 minutes from 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) from Potomac Station to Station Square via Broadway Avenue and West Liberty Avenue. Bus stops will be added at or near light rail stations. Riders can transfer at Station Square to bus or light-rail to downtown and the North Shore.
- A Red Line-Short Rail Shuttle will also operate between Dormont Junction and Overbrook Junction to allow riders to travel south to Overbrook Junction and transfer to the Blue Line at Willow to board any inbound light rail car to downtown Pittsburgh or outbound rail car to South Hills Village. Riders can also park at the Castle Shannon Park and Ride and walk to Willow Station for light rail service to downtown Pittsburgh.
These temporary shuttles will be included in PRT’s regular schedules and viewable in PRT’s and third-party real-time applications.
PRT was unable to match every shuttle trip with an operator, so some trips will be filled with overtime work while others may not be filled at all. PRT will attempt to communicate any unfilled trips as early as possible.
For more information about the construction work, visit: www.rideprt.org/redlineconstruction.
Riders are encouraged to contact Customer Service with any questions at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
June 7 - University Line Construction to Impact Traffic Signals in the Coming Weeks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 7, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit electrical subcontractors will be installing temporary controllers at nine intersections along Fifth and Sixth avenues in downtown Pittsburgh over the next several weeks.
Work will begin early next week and will occur at one location at a time. Work at each intersection is expected to take one or two days. Most work will be completed on the sidewalk and should have minimal impact to vehicular traffic.
Traffic signals will be out of service while the work is performed, and safety personnel will facilitate traffic at each work location while the controllers are being placed.
Upon completion there will be ten new controllers for 35 new traffic signals supporting the University Line bus rapid transit project in downtown Pittsburgh.
Over the next few weeks, crews will install the temporary controllers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the following locations:
•Fifth Avenue and Market Street
•Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street
•Fifth Avenue and William Penn Place
•Fifth Avenue and Grant Street
•Fifth Avenue and Ross Street
•Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue
•Sixth Avenue and Grant Street
•Sixth Avenue and Wood Street
•Sixth Avenue and Liberty Avenue
Image depicting a traffic signal box with pavement Markings placed in preparation for upcoming Work.
Construction on the University Line bus rapid transit project began in September 2023. The University Line will feature dedicated bus lanes and enhanced transit amenities, connecting downtown Pittsburgh to Oakland, Pennsylvania’s second- and third-largest economic centers. The $291 million project is expected to be operational by 2027.
For more information about the University Line project, visit www.rideprt.org/brt. To receive weekly construction updates and sign up for the University Line Newsletter, please visit the PRT News Hub at https://prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/.
###
May 24 - Rail Replacement Work Switches Tracks May 29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 24, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s rail replacement project at the Willow Avenue crossing will switch over to the outbound tracks on May 29.
Crews are currently working on the inbound tracks at Willow Station between May 16 and May 29.
From May 29 to June 16, crews will switch sides to replace the outbound rail. Riders using St. Anne, Willow, and Overbrook Junction should use the inbound platforms to travel inbound or outbound.
Riders on all rail routes may experience delays of up to 40 minutes while operators wait for oncoming vehicles to pass.
The Red Line will be operating as normal, from downtown to South Hills Village, during that portion of the work. Additionally, rail cars will continue to terminate at Penn Station (adjacent to the East Busway) through May 31.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
May 24 - PRT Board Adopts FY25 Operating and Capital Budgets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 24, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board today voted to adopt the agency’s Fiscal Year 2025 operating and capital budgets.
The operating budget totals $539.3 million, an increase of less than 1% over last year’s budget, reflecting changes in inflation, rising costs in goods, and a labor shortage that is affecting transit agencies across the country. It also takes into consideration a one-year 10% reduction in pension and employee benefit costs.
PRT balanced its operating budget by using $78.2 million from its reserve account. This marks the first time in at least the last decade the agency has used money from its deferred revenue account.
The budget does not include PRT’s $39 million share of additional state operating assistance that has been proposed under Governor Shapiro’s plan to shift more than $280 million in sales tax revenue to public transit agencies statewide, nor the local match that would be associated with such an increase. PRT will amend its budget should the governor’s proposal be approved.
PRT’s FY25 capital budget totals $162 million. In total, 59 projects will be funded by the capital budget. Top allocations include:
- $17 million (partial funding) - Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel rail replacement
- $16.1 million (partial funding) - Panhandle Bridge rehabilitation
- $13 million - The purchase and installation of new cash fare boxes in vehicles
- $11 million (partial funding) - West Mifflin facility improvements, including a new bus wash and vacuum system, paint booth, bus lift, windows, LED lighting, and exhaust system
- $6.5 million (partial funding) - Battery-electric charging infrastructure at the Collier garage
“Public transit is the answer to solving many of our region’s most pressing challenges, including economic recovery, inequality, and climate change,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “This budget continues to build on the foundation we’ve established to improve the transit experience for riders and advocate for increased funding to support our system for years to come.”
###
May 23 - PRT Service on Memorial Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 23, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light-rail service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available to assist riders from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
PRT’s administrative offices and Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday.
For more information or to find information about schedules or service, please contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransit, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
May 22 - Four New Work Locations Being Added to University Line Construction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 23, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will add four new work locations in downtown Pittsburgh next week, the transit agency announced today.
Last winter, the PRT contractor relocated water and drainage infrastructure at most of the future PRTX station locations. Currently, the contractors are installing foundations and poles for traffic signals and pedestrian lighting, restoring the roadway, sidewalks, and curbs. Later this summer, bus shelters, accessible ramps, traffic signals and lighting will be installed.
On May 28, PRT’s contractor will establish two additional work sites. The first one is on Sixth Avenue between Smithfield Street and William Penn Place. The second one is on Fifth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Market Street opposite the current work site.
Traffic on Sixth Avenue between Smithfield Street and William Penn Place will be maintained with one travel lane in each direction (see image below). This single-lane operation will remain in effect 24/7 until late fall.
Mellon Square Garage will be accessible to vehicles and pedestrians. The sidewalk will remain open opposite the work site.
PHOTO: An aerial image of Sixth Avenue between Smithfield Street and William Penn Place depicting the lane restrictions beginning on Tuesday, May 28.
Additionally, construction activities on Fifth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Market Street will move to the opposite side of the street adjacent to Triangle Park.
To accommodate this new work area, vehicle traffic will be shifted to the opposite side of Fifth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Market (see image below). The construction detour will remain in effect 24/7 until work is finished late this fall. The sidewalk will remain open opposite the work site.
PHOTO: An image of Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Liberty Avenue depicting the lane restrictions beginning on Tuesday, May 28.
On May 31, the contractor will establish two more work sites along Fifth Avenue: one between Smithfield and Grant streets, and the other between Sixth Avenue and Ross Street.
To accommodate the new work area, traffic on Fifth Avenue will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between Smithfield and Grant streets (see image below). This single-lane operation will remain in effect 24/7 until late fall. The sidewalk will remain open on Fifth Avenue opposite the work site.
PHOTO: An arial image of Fifth Avenue between Grant Street and Smithfield Street depicting the lane restrictions beginning on Friday, May 31.
Additionally, traffic on Fifth Avenue will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between Ross Street and Sixth Avenue (see image below). This single-lane operation will remain in effect 24/7 until late fall. The sidewalk will remain open opposite the work site.
PHOTO: An arial image of Fifth Avenue between Ross Street and Sixth Avenue depicting the lane restrictions beginning on Friday, May 31.
Current construction locations for the University Line include:
- Fifth Avenue (between Market Street and Liberty Avenue)
- Sixth Avenue (between Wood Street and Liberty Avenue)
- Sixth Avenue (between Grant and Ross streets)
- Sixth Avenue (between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street)
Construction on the University Line bus rapid transit project began in September 2023. The University Line will feature dedicated bus lanes and enhanced transit amenities, connecting downtown Pittsburgh to Oakland, Pennsylvania’s second- and third-largest economic centers. The $291 million project is expected to be operational by 2027.
For more information about the University Line project, visit www.rideprt.org/brt. To receive weekly construction updates and sign up for the University Line Newsletter, please visit the PRT News Hub at https://prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/.
###
May 20 -Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Regional Transit Launch Allegheny GO for Income-Based Transit Discounts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 20, 2024) - Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and the county's Department of Human Services today unveiled Allegheny GO, the permanent program to offer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries discounted public transit fares. More than 130,000 county residents will be eligible to participate.
"Expanding transit access to serve low-income residents of Allegheny County will help improve their ability to get around and their quality of life. This program has been in the works for a long time, and I want to acknowledge everyone who contributed their efforts to the pilot program and to making this half-fare program permanent for residents of Allegheny County" said County Executive Sara Innamorato.
Beginning June 3, every Allegheny County resident eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can apply to receive a 50% discount on transit fares.
Applicants should first download PRT’s Ready2Ride app from the Apple App Store or Google Play before applying at https://discountedfares.alleghenycounty.us. Eligible applicants will receive the ability to purchase discounted fares within their app.
"This program is about more than just discounted fares. It's about dignity and equity," said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. "It's about recognizing that access to reliable transportation is a fundamental right that should be available to everyone."
The foundation of Allegheny GO dates to late-2022 with a pilot program aimed at addressing the pressing issue of transportation equity in Allegheny County.
The pilot yielded remarkable results, with over 9,000 adults participating, representing 14,480 individuals including eligible family members. Participants who received a 50% discount were more likely to utilize public transit compared to those who did not receive a discount. A report on the results of the pilot program can be found here.
"We are very pleased to see the results of the pilot confirm that simply making transportation a more affordable option for people can have a positive impact in their lives," said Erin Dalton, director of Allegheny County DHS. "We are grateful to PRT and other partners who have helped us design and implement this program for thousands of riders across the county."
Initially, Allegheny GO will be available to applicants with smartphones. It will be available on PRT’s next-generation smartcard when it launches in 2025.
"Transit riders and over 60 community organizations in the Fair Fares Coalition have been organizing for years for affordable transit fares, and today we celebrate this important milestone towards a transit system that is affordable and accessible to all," said Teaira Collins, a Pittsburghers for Public Transit and Pittsburgh Food Policy Council board member.
Riders with questions about downloading Ready2Ride or the application process are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.rideprt.org.
May 17 - Fourth Work Location Being Added to University Line Construction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 17, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will add a fourth worksite in downtown Pittsburgh next week as construction of the University Line bus rapid transit project progresses.
PRT’s contractor is expected to establish the new location on Sixth Avenue between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street on Monday, May 20.
To accommodate the new worksite, traffic on Sixth Avenue will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street. This single-lane operation will remain in effect 24/7 until late fall.
Work in this area will include installation of foundations for traffic signals and pedestrian lighting followed by replacement of sidewalks and curbs.
Construction on the University Line bus rapid transit project began in September 2023. The University Line will provide dedicated bus lanes and enhanced transit amenities in the corridor between downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland, Pennsylvania’s second- and third-largest economic centers. The $291 million project is expected to be in operation in 2027.
For general information on the University Line project, please visit www.rideprt.org/brt. For weekly construction updates and to sign up for the University Line Newsletter, please visit prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/.
PHOTO: An aerial image of Sixth Avenue between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street showing the lane restrictions beginning on Monday, May 20.
###
May 16 - Next Service Adjustments Start June 16
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 16, 2024) – Slight modifications to nearly 45 bus routes and the closure of the Red Line highlight Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s next round of service adjustments, the agency announced today.
Much of the Red Line will be closed from Sunday, June 16 through the end of August to accommodate several safety-critical projects that were announced in March. Riders should anticipate significant delays.
To supplement access to and from Beechview, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, and other South Hills communities, PRT will operate a free rail shuttle and two free temporary bus routes:
- The 37-Castle Shannonwill operate every 30 minutes from the Castle Shannon Park and Ride and travel to Station Square via Castle Shannon Boulevard and West Liberty Avenue. Riders can then transfer to bus or light-rail to downtown and the North Shore.
- The 42-Potomac will operate every 30 minutes (every 20 minutes from 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) from Potomac Station to Station Square via Broadway Avenue and West Liberty Avenue.
- A Red Line Rail Shuttlewill operate between Dormont Junction and Overbrook Junction.
For more information about the construction work, visit: www.rideprt.org/redlineconstruction.
Additional service adjustments starting June 16 will include:
- A new downtown routing for the O5-Thompson Run Flyer
- Extra trips on the 69-Trafford between Wilkinsburg Station and Forbes Hospital.
- The bus stop at the Ross Park Mall will be moved to Ross Park Mall Drive. This stop is served by the 2-Mt. Royaland 12-McKnight.
For a complete list of changes, visit http://www.ridePRT.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders are encouraged to contact Customer Service with any questions at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
May 15 - Additional Rail Replacement Work Begins Tomorrow Night
May 9 - PRT Bus Detours for Open Streets on Saturday
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE (May 9, 2004) - Twenty Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured or experience standing delays on Saturday, May 11 for Open Streets.
The route will take participants from Market Square, down Forbes Avenue, through the Armstrong Tunnel, over the 10th Street Bridge, and down East Carson Street to 21st Street.
Buses will be detoured from about 9 a.m. until the streets reopen at 3 p.m. Riders traveling during these times are encouraged to allow for additional time getting to their destinations.
Buses will be unable to travel along East Carson Street between 10th and 21st streets and will instead use Sidney Street (54-North Side-Oakland-South Side) or Sarah Street (48-Arlington and 51-Carrick).
Bus routes 39-Brookline, 40-Mount Washington, 41-Bower Hill, 43-Bailey, 44-Knoxville, Y46-Elizabeth Flyer, Y47-Curry Flyer, 48-Arlington, Y49-Prospect Flyer, and 51-Carrick will take standing delays at the intersection of Smithfield Street and Forbes Avenue. A handful of other routes will experience minor detours and delays.
A route-by-route explanation of the bus routes and bus stops affected can be found at https://www.rideprt.org/Detours/
Riders with questions about service are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 or via live chat at www.rideprt.org for the most up-to-date detour information.
###
May 9 - University Line Construction Continues; Third Work Location to be Added
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 9, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will add a third worksite in downtown Pittsburgh next week as construction of the University Line bus rapid transit project progresses.
PRT’s contractor is expected to establish the new location on Sixth Avenue between Grant and Ross streets on Monday, May 13.
To accommodate the new worksite, traffic on Sixth Avenue will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between Grant and Ross streets. This single-lane operation will remain in effect 24/7 until the work is finished this fall.
PRT’s contractor relocated the water and drainage infrastructure at this location this past winter; Next, the contractor will install the foundations and electrical conduit for future traffic signals before replacing the sidewalk, roadway, and granite curbs. Later this summer, the contractor will install two new 60-foot bus shelters, accessible ramps, and the traffic signals.
Construction on the University Line bus rapid transit project began in September 2023. The University Line will provide dedicated bus lanes and enhanced transit amenities in the corridor between downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland, Pennsylvania’s second- and third-largest economic centers. The $291 million project is expected to be in operation in 2027.
For general information on the University Line project, please visit www.rideprt.org/brt. For weekly construction updates and to sign up for the University Line Newsletter, please visit prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/.
PHOTO: An aerial image of Sixth Avenue between
Grant and Ross streets depicting the lane restrictions
beginning on Monday, May 13.
###
May 3 - Service Information for the Pittsburgh Marathon and Related Events
- - The 84M will operate between Oakland and Squirrel Hill.
- - The 88 Penn "Special" will provide service to Children's Hospital.
April 29 - PRT Prepares for First Responder Training at the Monongahela Incline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 29, 2024) - The Monongahela Incline will be closed for about one hour a week for the next four weeks while Pittsburgh first responders conduct rescue training activities, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The incline will be closed for these training activities from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15, and 22.
The incline will also be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 for a full-scale training exercise.
The exercises will allow paramedics to simulate real-life rescue scenarios in a controlled environment, enhancing the readiness and capabilities of Pittsburgh's emergency response teams in dealing with rescue scenarios specific to the incline.
To accommodate riders during the closures, PRT will deploy its new incline shuttle vans to ensure uninterrupted access to and from Mt. Washington. The vans run about every 15 minutes.
In August, first responders rescued a dozen passengers who became trapped inside the incline cars when they unexpectedly stopped along the hillside. No one was injured.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 or visiting www.rideprt.org.
###
April 26 - PRT Board Makes Temporary Routes Free During Construction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 26, 2024) - The two bus routes and light-rail shuttle that will serve as temporary replacements for Red Line service during construction this summer will be free for riders. The agency's board approved the free fares at its meeting earlier today.
From mid-June through the end of August, crucial safety-related projects will necessitate the closure of a large section of the Red Line. To mitigate the inconvenience for commuters and ensure continued access to essential destinations, PRT will provide two temporary bus routes and a rail shuttle.
The temporary bus routes include the 42-Potomac, which will run from Potomac Station in Dormont to Station Square via Broadway and West Liberty Avenues, as well as the 37-Castle Shannon, operating from Castle Shannon Station to Station Square via Castle Shannon Boulevard and West Liberty Avenue. Additionally, a rail shuttle will connect Overbrook Junction to Washington Junction.
For more information on the temporary routes, schedules, and updates regarding the Red Line closure, riders are encouraged to visit PRT's website or contact customer service by calling www.rideprt.org.
###
April 22 - PRT Unveils Climate Action Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 22, 2024) - To commemorate Earth Day, Pittsburgh Regional Transit today unveiled the agency's first climate action plan to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve the overall health of residents across Allegheny County.
PRT's climate action plan is the agency's first roadmap to a zero-emissions future. It identifies short- and long-term steps PRT can take to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, production of greenhouse gases, and the negative environmental impacts they create.
"Public transit plays an essential role in building a more sustainable and equitable Allegheny County," said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. "We are extremely excited to join many of our peer agencies across the country in recognizing the growing impact of climate change and to cultivate new partnerships locally as we improve the health and wellbeing of residents across Southwestern Pennsylvania."
Growing ridership, reducing diesel emissions by switching to zero-emissions vehicles, and reducing building energy usage are among the three most impactful steps PRT can take to reduce its carbon footprint, according to the plan. PRT has committed to operating a zero-emissions fleet by 2045.
"This is not just about embracing cleaner technology; this is a blueprint for our future," Kelleman said.
The climate action plan can be found at engage.rideprt.org/climate-action.
To help coordinate, execute, and evaluate the success of PRT’s efforts, the agency will soon hire a sustainability director whose goal will be to help usher the climate action plan forward. That position, which will report to PRT's deputy chief of strategic initiatives, was included in the agency's 2023-24 budget.
###
April 19 - Monongahela Incline Reopened this Afternoon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Friday, April 19, 2024) - Six weeks after Pittsburgh Regional Transit closed the Monongahela Incline to make repairs to its electrical system, the 154-year-old funicular – the oldest in the country – reopened this afternoon.
The incline has been closed since March 5, when a pair of resistors failed, causing the brakes to engage when they were not supposed to; PRT engineers and an engineering consultant later determined that the resistors were underrated for the function they were supposed to perform.
Once engineers approved a new electrical design, contractors ordered and installed the new parts and PRT began testing the incline last weekend. The incline passed inspection by the state Department of Licensing & Inspection earlier today and reopened at 3 p.m.
The repairs are under contract from the 2022-2023 rehabilitation project and will not cost PRT nor Allegheny County taxpayers any additional money. The incline has been fraught with issues since that $8.2 million project, having been closed nearly a half-dozen times for various reasons in the last 12 months.
Talson Solutions, a capital project advisory and consulting services company from Philadelphia, began work this month to conduct an independent review of recent incline contracts and current procedures and protocols in an effort to improve the reliability, maintenance, and operations of the historic incline.
A review committee made up of community members, business owners, and other key stakeholders has been established to work in conjunction with Talson to ensure an additional layer of transparency and accountability.
###
April 3 - Philadelphia Consultant to Conduct Independent Review of Monongahela Incline Contracts, Procedures, Protocols
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 3, 2024) – A Philadelphia consultant will conduct an independent review of the Monongahela Incline to improve the reliability, maintenance, and operations of the 154-year-old funicular, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
Talson Solutions, a capital project advisory and consulting services company, will review recent incline contracts, and current procedures and protocols. They will start their work this month. Their costs are being finalized.
According to its website, Talson “assist(s) clients in mitigating capital program risk by improving financial and project controls, increasing contractor and owner transparency, and enhancing project delivery.”
Talson will complete its work in phases and will provide regular reports to a review committee made up of community members, business owners, and other key stakeholders.
Over the next several months, Talson will make recommendations for future contracts and help to identify short- and long-term improvements to the operations and maintenance of the incline, which has been closed since March 5.
PRT engineers and an engineering consultant last week determined that at least one pair of resistors that prevent the brakes of the incline from engaging in the middle of each trip was underrated for that function, causing the resistors to fail and leading to the incline’s subsequent closure.
PRT is currently reviewing an updated electrical design that incorporates new resistors. Once accepted, the contractor will purchase, install, and test the incline before PRT can submit an amended permit application to the Pennsylvania Department of Licenses and Inspections and submit for an inspection.
PRT hopes to be able to provide an updated timeline next week.
###
March 27 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Service for Good Friday, Easter holidays
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 27, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses and light-rail cars will operate on regular weekday schedules on Good Friday, March 29.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
On Easter Sunday, March 31, buses and light-rail cars will operate on regular Sunday schedules.
Customer Service representatives will be available regular Sunday hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Service Center is not open on Sundays.
Customer Service representatives can be reached by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
March 19 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit to Begin Comprehensive Light-Rail Project Next Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 19, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit next month will embark on an ambitious, multi-year rehabilitation effort by investing more than $150 million to bolster the safety, reliability, and longevity of our region’s light-rail infrastructure, the agency announced today.
PRT will combine multiple projects that were initially intended to be completed separately to streamline operations, maximize efficiency, and minimize disruptions while enhancing the overall reliability and safety of this critical transit corridor.
The projects include expanding an ongoing effort to repair the concrete rail foundations in the downtown subway tunnels; replacing more than 10,000 feet of light-rail track and four grade crossings in Castle Shannon, Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, Beechview, and inside the Mt. Lebanon and Mt. Washington Transit Tunnels; reconstructing Belasco Station in Beechview; upgrading Station Square and Dormont Junction light-rail stations;, and rehabilitating the Panhandle Bridge, the 1.2-mile span that takes light rail cars over the Monongahela River near Station Square.
Many of the projects are fully funded. PRT will continue to seek funding for those that are not.
“These projects are an important investment in our region’s future,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “By fortifying our light-rail system, we’re building a stronger, safer, and more reliable foundation for years to come.”
PRT will join community members at a meeting in Beechview to discuss these projects and how they will impact riders at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at St. Catherine of Siena Church on Broadway Avenue.
An online meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. A presentation at both meetings will include an overview of all projects.
For anyone unable to attend either meeting, the presentation will be available at www.rideprt.org/rail24.
The first project will begin with the closure of the light-rail system between Steel Plaza and Gateway stations in downtown Pittsburgh for about seven weeks immediately following the Pirates home opener on April 5.
The projects will continue consecutively through 2028. As one project ends, another will begin. Some will present only minor travel delays to riders while others will close portions of the light rail system and require significant detours.
Full project timelines and service information, including detours, will be announced as we approach additional project milestones:
PLINTH WORK: April 5 – May 30, 2024
PRT will expand the repairs and replacement of the plinth, the concrete beam upon which the light rail tracks sit in the downtown subway tunnels, to seven-days a week. This work has been occurring on-and-off on weekends only since late 2022.
During this project, rail cars coming from the South Hills will serve First Avenue and Steel Plaza stations before continuing to Penn Station, the otherwise inactive rail station located across the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway from The Pennsylvanian.
Riders traveling to Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations can exit rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. From Gateway, riders can board a rail car to North Side and Allegheny stations.
From Allegheny Station, rail cars will serve North Side and Gateway stations. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit rail cars at Gateway, board a shuttle bus from the temporary stop outside the station, and travel to Penn Station, where they can board a rail car to the South Hills.
There will be no bus shuttles on May 4 and 5 due to the Pittsburgh Marathon and related events; on May 18 due to Open Streets; and on May 19 due to the UPMC Rush to Crush Cancer bike ride.
After May 30, the work will continue some weekends through the summer. An additional multi-week closure to complete the work will likely be required in 2025.
May 17 – June 15, 2024
Rail cars will single-track on between St. Anne Station and Willow Station while crews replace the tracks at Willow Street.
June 16 – July 14, 2024
Rail cars will single-track on the Red Line between Overbrook Junction and Dormont Junction while crews replace the tracks at Alfred Street.
June 16 – August 31, 2024
The Red Line will be closed from Overbrook Junction to South Hills Junction to accommodate several rail projects. During this closure, all Red Line trips will be detoured via the Blue Line and will be renamed “Blue Line” to avoid confusion.
PRT will operate two new temporary bus routes to cover this area:
- The 42-Potomac will operate every 30 minutes (every 20 minutes from 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) from Potomac Station to Station Square via Route 19.
- The 37-Castle Shannon will operate every 30 minutes from Castle Shannon Station to Station Square via Castle Shannon Boulevard and Route 19.
These temporary bus routes will be included in PRT’s regular schedules and viewable in PRT’s and third-party real-time applications.
PRT will also operate a rail shuttle between Dormont Junction and Overbrook Junction to allow riders to travel south to Overbrook Junction and transfer to the Blue Line at Willow to board any inbound light-rail car to downtown Pittsburgh or outbound rail car to South Hills Village.
2025
The Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel will be closed for several months while the rail within the tunnel is replaced. Rail cars and buses will detour via the tracks that run through Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood. The exact schedule for this project will be announced later this year.
2026
PRT will replace the tracks inside the Mt. Lebanon Transit Tunnel. This work is expected start in 2026.
2026-2028
The Panhandle Bridge will be rehabilitated for the first time in about 40 years. This work is expected to start in 2026 and will take approximately 30 months to complete.
Station Square and Dormont Junction Light-Rail Station Rehabilitation
Designs are expected to be complete by the end of 2024, although there is currently no estimated timeline for either of these projects as they are not yet fully funded.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
March 14 -Planned Bus Detours for St. Patrick’s Day Parade
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 14, 2024) – Nearly 50 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured on Saturday, March 16 for the city's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Some detours along the parade route will begin as early as 7 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m. Most detours will begin at 9 a.m. and will end when Pittsburgh police reopen streets around 2 p.m.
A complete list of the detours can be found at www.rideprt.org/stpats2024.
Because several bus routes will be unable to reach streets located closer to the middle of downtown, riders will be able to disembark buses and transfer – for free – to light-rail cars at Station Square or Penn Station, the bus and rail station along the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway. PRT will be operating a free rail shuttle between Penn Station and Steel Plaza.
Riders with questions about service are encouraged to call PRT Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or via web chat at www.rideprt.org.
###
March 12 - PRT to Hire Independent Consultant, Form Committee to Review Monongahela Incline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 12, 2024) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will conduct an independent review of the Monongahela Incline to better understand the causes of a string of issues that have led to the 154-year-old funicular's closure multiple times over the past year.
The aim is to ensure the safety and reliability of the historic 154-year-old funicular. The review will be conducted by an objective third party and overseen by a committee, which will include local stakeholders, including affected business owners. Details regarding the consultant and committee will be made available once finalized.
“We recognize the significance of maintaining such a historic asset. However, recent years have posed significant challenges,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “This independent review demonstrates our commitment to providing safe, reliable transportation. The Monongahela Incline is a cherished part of Pittsburgh's heritage, and we are dedicated to its preservation for future generations."
PRT is in talks with a third-party consultant to conduct the review. PRT will form the Monongahela Incline Review Committee with community officials in the next week.
"Transparency and accountability are paramount. We will publicly share the review's findings and recommendations, and take necessary actions to enhance safety and performance,” Kelleman said.
Constructed in 1870, the Monongahela Incline is the oldest continuously operating funicular in the United States. PRT closed the incline in August 2022 for an $8.2 million upgrade, reopening it in March 2023. Since then, closures have occurred due to mechanical and electrical issues, including a recent closure on Tuesday, March 5. Repairs have been completed, and investigations into the cause of the recent failure are ongoing.
###
March 8 - Monongahela Incline to Remain Closed This Weekend and Through Next Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 8, 2024) – The Monongahela Incline will remain closed through at least the end of next week, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The incline has been closed since Tuesday afternoon after a brake resistor and the motor controller unexpectedly failed.
Although PRT and its contractors have since made the necessary repairs, the investigation into what led to the failure remains ongoing. The investigation is an important step to ensure that a repeat incident does not occur.
PRT anticipates that the investigation into Tuesday’s incident will take several additional days to complete since there is currently no indication as to what caused the failure.
Upon completion of the investigation, PRT’s contractors will perform any additional work before calling for an inspection by the state Department of Labor & Industry.
###
March 6 - Mon Incline to Remain Closed for the Remainder of the Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 6, 2024) - The Monongahela Incline will remain closed for the remainder of the week, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
PRT closed the 154-year-old funicular Tuesday afternoon when a brake resistor and the motor controller unexpectedly failed. The incline cars were docked at the stations at the time of the incident.
Once repaired, the incline will be inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry before being placed into service.
The Monongahela Incline opened in 1870, the same year the National Weather Service issued its first weather forecast (a windy day in Chicago) and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began.
February 23 - Construction Projects to Impact Transit Service in Downtown Pittsburgh This Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 23, 2024) - Multiple construction projects will temporarily detour more than a dozen bus routes in downtown Pittsburgh this weekend, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
Bus routes 61A, 61B, 61C, and 71B will be detoured from 6 p.m. on Friday until 2 a.m. on Saturday while Sixth Avenue between Wood Street and Liberty Avenue are closed.
The 61A, 61B, 61C, and 71B will not serve the bus stop in front of Trinity Cathedral on Sixth Avenue at Smithfield Street, however riders will be able to board these routes on Smithfield Street at Sixth Avenue at the PRT super stop.
On Saturday, 17 bus PRT bus routes will be detoured from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. while the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority completes a water line rehabilitation.
During that time, Smithfield Street and the Smithfield Street bus lane will be closed from Strawberry Way to Oliver Avenue and Sixth Avenue will be closed between Liberty Avenue and William Penn Place.
The detours will impact the 39-Brookline, 40-Mount Washington, 41-Bower Hill, 43-Bailey, 44-Knoxville, 48-Arlington, 51-Carrick, 77-Penn Hills, P1-East Busway, 61A-North Braddock, 61B-Braddock-Swissvale, 61C-McKeesport-Homestead, 71B-Highland Park, P68-Braddock Hills Flyer, Y46-Elizabeth Flyer, Y47-Curry Flyer, and Y49-Prospect Flyer bus routes.
And as a reminder, PRT will continue working in the transit tunnels under downtown Pittsburgh this weekend. Riders should expect disruptions from the South Hills to downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore and allow for at least 30 minutes of additional travel time.
Rail cars coming from the South Hills will serve First Avenue and Steel Plaza stations before continuing to Penn Station, the otherwise inactive rail station located across the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway from The Pennsylvanian.
Riders traveling to Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. From Gateway, a rail car will operate to North Side and Allegheny stations.
From Allegheny Station, rail cars will serve North Side and Gateway stations. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit rail cars at Gateway, board a shuttle bus from the temporary stop outside the station, and travel to Penn Station, where they can board a rail car to the South Hills.
For a complete list of the detours and the stops that will be affected this weekend, please visit www.rideprt.org or call PRT Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
February 15 - PRT Service for Presidents' Day Holiday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 15, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, February 19.
PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day. Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Riders with questions about service are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.RidePRT.org.
###
February 9 - Monongahela Incline to Reopen Saturday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 9, 2024) – The Monongahela Incline will reopen on Saturday morning following a successful state inspection, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The work PRT and its contractors conducted over the last five weeks passed inspection by the state Department of Labor & Industry about 1 p.m. Friday. PRT will spend the next several hours before the incline opens at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday completing a few final tests and adjustments.
PRT closed the 154-year-old funicular on January 2 after a failure of the electrical and mechanical systems. That closure occurred 10 months after an $8.2 million renovation project from August 2022 to March 2023.
The work conducted over the last five weeks has been under contract from the 2022/2023 rehabilitation project and will not cost PRT nor Allegheny County taxpayers any additional money.
The incline opened in 1870, just five years after the end of the Civil War and six years before Mark Twain published The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It is the oldest continuously operating funicular in the country and just one of 11 remaining in the United States.
###
February 9 - PRT Light Rail Work to Continue Nearly Every Weekend Through March
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 9, 2024) – Work in the transit tunnels under downtown Pittsburgh is expected to disrupt light-rail service nearly every weekend through the end of March, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
Riders should expect disruptions from the South Hills to downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore and allow for at least 30 minutes of additional travel time.
The work will be occurring in the tunnels between Steel Plaza and Gateway stations. It is a continuation of a project to repair and replace the plinth – the concrete beam upon which the light-rail tracks sit – that began in late 2022.
Crews are scheduled each weekend through the end of March except for the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day. Contractors will begin working each Friday at 8 p.m. and conclude by the start of service each Monday morning. Wood Street Station will be closed during work hours.
Rail cars coming from the South Hills will serve First Avenue and Steel Plaza stations before continuing to Penn Station, the otherwise inactive rail station located across the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway from The Pennsylvanian.
Riders traveling to Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. From Gateway, a rail car will operate to North Side and Allegheny stations.
From Allegheny Station, rail cars will serve North Side and Gateway stations. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit rail cars at Gateway, board a shuttle bus from the temporary stop outside the station, and travel to Penn Station, where they can board a rail car to the South Hills.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
February 8 - Monongahela Incline Set to Reopen Pending Inspection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 8, 2024) – Repairs to the Monongahela Incline are nearly complete and are awaiting state inspection, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
Employees from the state Department of Labor & Industry will be on-site Friday morning to inspect repairs that were made to the 154-year-old funicular over the last five weeks.
Pending a successful inspection and the completion of any final adjustments, PRT expects to reopen the incline this weekend.
PRT closed the historic incline on January 2 after a failure of the electrical and mechanical systems that slow the cars as they near the stations.
The Monongahela Incline was opened in 1870, a decade before Thomas Edison received his patent for the lightbulb. It has transported millions of riders up and down Mt. Washington over the years.
Since the incline has been out of service, PRT has operated a shuttle bus between the lower and upper stations. The 40-Mt. Washington and 43-Bailey bus routes also travel between downtown Pittsburgh and Mt. Washington.
###
January 26 - Monongahela Incline to Reopen Within Next Two Weeks
The Monongahela Incline is expected to reopen within the next two weeks, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The incline has been out of service since January 2 after a failure of the electrical and mechanical systems that slow the cars as they near the stations. While making repairs in the days that followed, PRT identified other issues that needed immediate attention.
All repair work is set to wrap up by Monday, with in-house testing beginning next week.
Once that testing is complete and any necessary adjustments are made, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry will conduct their inspection of the 153-year-old funicular.
Pending a successful inspection, the incline could reopen by Friday, February 9.
###
January 26 - University Line Construction Continues Next Week
Groundwork for 35 new traffic signals that will ultimately support the University Line bus rapid transit project will continue next week, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
Construction to lay the foundation for new traffic signals will begin on Monday, January 29 and continue through Friday, February 2 at the intersection of Sixth and Centre avenues near the DoubleTree hotel parking garage.
The contractor will work on one side of the street at a time while traffic safety personnel facilitate two-way traffic on the other. To limit disruptions to traffic, the work will be performed each night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The work involves the preparation of new traffic signals over the next four months. Although the length of time spent at each location will vary, most sites will take two to five days and will be performed during the day; the work at Sixth and Centre is being performed overnight because it requires entering the roadway and may impact traffic.
The traffic signals and poles upon which they are mounted are expected to be installed this spring.
PRT Contractor Prepares Final Waterline Work at Sixth and Grant
One of the final steps to complete the installation of new water and drainage infrastructure on Sixth Avenue between Grant Ross streets will be a planned interruption of water service to the DoubleTree hotel and the Bigelow Grille.
This interruption will be conducted overnight at the request of the impacted property owners, beginning at 10 p.m. on Monday, January 29 and ending by 5 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30.
Pedestrian access will be maintained, and buses will use their regular routes in this area.
For more information on the University Line, please visit www.rideprt.org/brt and to sign up for the University Line newsletter, visit https://prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/.
###
January 18 - PRT Announces Feb. 18 Service Adjustments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 18, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit next month will reduce service on about 20 bus routes and the Red Line to improve service reliability and on-time performance, the agency announced today.
Most routes will experience minor trip time adjustments and some frequency changes on February 18. Sixteen bus routes will see routing changes.
The service reductions to 23 bus routes and the Red Line are aimed at improving service reliability and on-time performance by ensuring the number of drivers needed does not exceed the number of drivers available. Overall, the reduction represents about 1.5% of PRT service.
Like most other transit agencies across the country, PRT has been short staffed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Several changes PRT made to its hiring process over the last 18 months - including offering hiring bonuses and reducing the amount of time from application to employment - appear to be working; projections show hiring will outpace attrition in 2024.
Additional changes starting February 18:
The 26-Chartiers, 27-Fairywood, 29-Robinson, 31-Bridgeville, 67-Monroeville, 69-Trafford, G3-Moon Flyer, and G31-Bridgeville Flyer routings will change in downtown Pittsburgh.
A few weekday morning trips will be added to the 71B-Highland Park to address crowding.
The 2-Mount Royal, 6-Spring Hill, 12-McKnight, and 15-Charles will be extended to Penn Station to provide a better connection to the East Busway.
A few midday Blue Line trips will be moved to the evening to better align with rider demand.
After about 5:20 p.m. on weekdays, the Silver Line will operate only between Washington Junction and Library Station. Riders traveling farther north can connect to the Blue Line at Washington Junction.
For a complete list of changes, visit www.ridePRT.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders are encouraged to contact Customer Service with any questions at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
January 16 - University Line Bus Rapid Transit Work Continues; Additional Work Location to be Added in Downtown Pittsburgh
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 16, 2024) – A third work location will be added in downtown Pittsburgh next week to The University Line bus rapid transit project, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The work zone will be established on January 22 on Sixth Avenue between Wood Street and Liberty Avenue, adjacent to Wood Street Station.
Both lanes of traffic on Sixth Avenue heading from Wood Street toward Liberty Avenue will be closed. The single lane of traffic on Sixth Avenue heading from Liberty Avenue toward Wood Street will remain open.
Contractors will be conducting exploratory excavation and relocating of water and drainage infrastructure. The work is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete.
Electrical work will also begin on January 22
Also starting on January 22, PRT’s electrical subcontractor will begin to install connections for future traffic signals and poles.
There are 35 work locations in downtown Pittsburgh that will be scheduled over the next four months. The length of time crews spend at each work location will vary, but most sites will take three to five days each. The work will be performed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
In January, the work will occur at the following locations:
• Liberty Avenue at Seventh Street, adjacent to the 7-Eleven
• Liberty Avenue at Seventh Street, across from the 7-Eleven
• Liberty Avenue in front of Wood Street Station
• Sixth Avenue at Grant Street, adjacent to Mellon Green
Work Underway on Sixth Avenue at Smithfield Street
Construction activities began on January 11 on Sixth Avenue between Smithfield Street and William Penn Place, where crews are conducting exploratory excavation and relocating water and drainage infrastructure.
This work is expected to continue through mid-February.
Mellon Garage will continue to remain accessible from all entrances and exits, and pedestrian access will be maintained on Sixth Avenue opposite the work zone.
PRT bus routes P1, P68, and P71 are detouring one block to Fifth Avenue. All stops are being served.
Construction on Sixth Avenue near Grant Street Nears Completion
Construction on Sixth Avenue between Grant and Ross streets is expected to wrap up by the end of the month.
The first phase of construction on the University Line began September 13 and is expected to take about 18 months to complete. A construction contract for the second
phase – Uptown through Oakland – will be put out to bid later this year.
For more information on the University Line, please visit www.rideprt.org/brt and to sign up for the University Line Newsletter, visit https://prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/.
###
January 12 - Monongahela Incline Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 12, 2024) - The Monongahela Incline will remain out of service through at least the next two weeks while contractors complete repairs and conduct tests to ensure the safety and reliability of the 153 year-old funicular, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The Monongahela Incline is the oldest of fewer than 10 inclined planes remaining in the U.S.; Pennsylvania is home to two others.
"The Mon Incline has been rebuilt, rehabbed, refurbished, and upgraded multiple times throughout its history, which in many ways adds to the unique challenges of maintaining such a valuable piece of Pittsburgh history," said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. "While we cherish the opportunity to be entrusted with its upkeep, we are often tested by the difficulty of keeping such a prominent icon in operation."
PRT has been working diligently to restore service since January 2, when the incline experienced a failure of the electrical and mechanical systems that slow the cars as they near the stations.
While repairing these systems, PRT engineers discovered additional issues that required immediate attention. They engaged Elcon Technologies, Inc. of Bridgeville to help determine how best to repair the incline.
Elcon Technologies is a subcontractor of Westmoreland Electric, Inc. on the Monongahela Incline Rehabilitation Project, which began in 2022. The work they're conducting is being performed under the original contract.
PRT anticipates the repairs will require at least an additional 10 days to complete before testing can begin. PRT will then conduct its own tests in addition to tests performed by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
PRT will reopen the incline once all testing is complete and the incline is deemed safe to operate. Until then, shuttle buses will continue to operate during regular incline service hours.
###
January 12 - PRT Service for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 12, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, January 15.
PRT's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
###
January 5 - Monongahela Incline to Remain Closed Through the Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 5, 2024) - The Monongahela Incline will remain out of service through the weekend, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
Shuttle buses will continue to operate between the lower and upper stations during regular incline hours.
PRT is working with its contractors to ensure the 152-year-old incline is functioning properly and safely before it reopens. There is not yet a timeline for when that could occur.
The incline has been out of commission since Tuesday evening when multiple electrical and mechanical systems malfunctioned.
The systems that failed are covered under the existing contract of the rehabilitation project that closed the incline from August 2022 through March 2023.
January 5 - Additional University Line Work Location Being Added Next Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 5, 2024) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will add a second work location to the University Line bus rapid transit project on Sixth Avenue between Smithfield Street and William Penn Place beginning next week.
The work will involve exploratory excavation and relocation of water and drainage
infrastructure.
Contractors are expected to establish the new work location on Monday, although the exact day will depend on the severity of this weekend’s expected snowstorm.
Once construction gets underway, one traffic lane will be maintained in each direction on Sixth Avenue. No other streets will be impacted.
The work is expected to last at this location through mid-February.
Mellon Garage will remain accessible from all entrances and exits, and pedestrian access will be maintained on Sixth Avenue opposite the work zone.
PRT bus routes P1, P68, and P71 will detour one block to Fifth Avenue, however all stops will continue to be served.
Construction on Sixth Avenue near Grant Street Nears Completion
University Line construction at Sixth Avenue between Grant and Ross is expected to wrap up by the end of January.
Contractors are installing new water and drainage infrastructure there, too.
The first phase of construction on the University Line began September 13 and is expected to take about 18 months to complete. A construction contract for the second phase – Uptown through Oakland – will be put out to bid later this year.
For more information on the University Line, please visit www.rideprt.org/brt and to sign up for the University Line Newsletter, visit https://prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/.
###
January 3 - Mon Incline Closed for Repairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 3, 2023) - The Monongahela Incline will remain closed until further notice due to several electrical and mechanical issues preventing its operation, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
PRT closed the 150-year-old funicular about 7 p.m. Tuesday following a malfunction that prevented the cars from slowing down and stopping at their predetermined positions at the upper and lower stations. PRT was evaluating whether there was damage. No injuries were reported.
A review of the incident recorder showed multiple electrical and mechanical components failed, requiring repairs that will begin Wednesday morning.
It's unknown how long the incline will be out of service.
Shuttle buses will operate between the upper and lower stations until service is restored.
###
December 28 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Announces Bus Detours for Highmark/Pittsburgh Cultural Trust First Night Pittsburgh 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 28, 2023) - More than 20 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured on Sunday, December 31, for Highmark/Pittsburgh Cultural Trust First Night Pittsburgh 2024.
Most of the detours will begin about 10 a.m. with some additional routing changes starting at 4 p.m. with modifications for the New Year’s Eve Parade. All detours will continue through the end of service.
Complete detours can be found at https://rideprt.org/firstnight2024.
As a reminder, buses and light-rail vehicles will operate on regular Sunday schedules on New Year's Eve. Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
On Monday, January 1, 2024, buses will operate on Sunday schedules. The Red Line and Silver Line will operate every 40 minutes on a special holiday schedule that can be found at www.rideprt.org/holidays. The Blue Line will not be in operation. Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
All service will return to regular weekday schedules on Tuesday, January 2.
Riders are encouraged to check schedules before heading out. Customers with questions about any PRT services are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on X (Formerly Twitter) @pghtransitcare or live chat at www.rideprt.org.
###
December 1 - Wood Street Station to be Closed December 8-22; Light-rail service in the CBD to be disrupted December 8-11 and December 15-18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 1, 2023) – Wood Street Station will be closed for two weeks beginning December 8, to facilitate the replacement of all four escalators at the station and to accommodate an ongoing light-rail construction project, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The closure will begin at the start of service on December 8, fully closing the station to all passengers and pedestrians, with a reopening date expected by 4 p.m. December 22. Patrons who would normally use Wood Street Station should instead use Steel Plaza or Gateway stations.
During regular weekday service, rail cars will continue to serve all other stations in the Central Business District and no delays are expected.
However, weekend service will be disrupted downtown while crews continue repair work in the tunnels under the Central Business District.
Between 8 p.m. Friday, December 8 and the start of service Monday, December 11; and again between Friday, December 15 and Monday, December 18 - inbound rail service will terminate at Penn Station (the bus and rail station along the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway).
Riders traveling to Gateway, North Side, or Allegheny stations should exit light-rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. From Gateway, a rail car will operate to North Side and Allegheny stations.
Meanwhile during this time, outbound rail service from the North Shore toward downtown will terminate at Gateway Station. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit the rail car and board a shuttle bus from the temporary stop outside the station. The shuttle bus will drop riders off at Penn Station to board rail cars heading to the South Hills. Riders should allow for 30-45 minutes of additional travel time.The bus stop located on Liberty Avenue outside Wood Street Station has been moved to Liberty Avenue past Strawberry Way. Shuttle buses will serve that temporary stop.
The goal of the $13.5 million project is to replace nine escalators at three downtown light-rail stations and to improve performance, safety, and reliability.
The escalators at Wood Street Station are expected to be fully installed by March 2024 and will remain out of service while they’re being replaced.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
November 20 - PRT Service Information for Thanksgiving
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 21, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will
operate modified service on Thursday, November 23, for Thanksgiving.
Buses will operate on Sunday schedules; however, some detours will be in effect for 33
routes from 7 a.m. to approximately noon to accommodate the YMCA Turkey Trot. For
a full listing of the various detours, visit https://www.rideprt.org/Detours/.
Red and Silver Line rail service will run every 40 minutes on a Thanksgiving schedule
that can be found at www.rideprt.org/holidays.The Blue Line will not be in operation.
Riders are encouraged to check schedules before heading out.
PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed. Customer
Service representatives will be available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Customers with questions about any PRT services are encouraged to contact Customer
Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or live chat at
www.rideprt.org.
All regular weekday service will resume on Friday, November 24.
###
November 10 - PRT named Military Friendly employer for third year in a row
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 10, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit
(PRT) is proud to announce that it has been recognized as a Military Friendly®
employer for the third year in a row.
The Military Friendly® designation is awarded to organizations that demonstrate a
commitment to creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military
community. Viqtory Media evaluates organizations based on their programs,
policies, and outcomes in support of veterans, military personnel, and their
families.
Also, for the second year in a row, PRT has been awarded the “Gold Star” status.
Gold Award winners score within 20 percent of the 10th-ranked organization
within a given category.
PRT employs more than 200 veteran-employees, whose work in various
departments moves Allegheny County forward.
PRT's commitment to supporting military personnel and veterans is reflected in its
programs and policies. The organization provides a variety of benefits, including
tuition reimbursement, military leave, and a Veterans Employee Resource Group.
Thank you for your service to our country then and thank you for your service to
our riders now.
The Military Friendly® designation is awarded based on a comprehensive survey
that evaluates an organization's performance in various categories, such as hiring
and onboarding practices, benefits, culture, and community engagement.
About Military Friendly®
Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization's commitment,
effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military
community. The designation is owned by Viqtory, Inc., a service-disabled, veteranowned small business. Viqtory is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S.
Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a
rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology
can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com/mfcguide
###
November 9 - PRT Construction for the University Line moves to Sixth Avenue; work continues on Fifth Avenue
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 9, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit contractors will be mobilizing at a second location for construction of the University Line beginning at 4 a.m. Monday, November 13, 2023.
Work will be conducted on Sixth Avenue between Grant Street and Ross Street. For the first few days, the contractor will be saw-cutting and beginning to perform exploratory excavation.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Bus detours will remain the same. Pedestrian access will be maintained on both sides of the street.
The construction detour will remain in effect 24/7 until work is finished at this location, which is expected to happen by the end of December.
Construction for the University Line on Fifth Avenue:
Construction activities continue on Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Liberty Avenue adjacent to Triangle Park. The contractor continues to perform installation of a 12-inch water main and a 15-inch storm drain.
On Monday, November 13, around 6:00 a.m., construction activities will move from the north side adjacent to Triangle Park to the south side adjacent to Market Square as shown in the picture below.
The travel lane adjacent to Triangle Park will reopen. The center lane and the lane adjacent to Market Square will both be closed. Bus detours will remain the same.
The construction detour will remain in effect 24/7 until work is finished at this location. While there will be a few weeks when the contractor is moving between work sites on Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, construction activities on Fifth Avenue are expected to be completed by the end of November.
The contractor will continue to work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting. The contractor may work on Saturdays if needed to keep the project on schedule.
###
November 8 - PRT to Operate Regular Service on Veterans Day; Administrative Offices Closed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 8, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate under regular weekday service in observance of the Veterans Day holiday on Friday, November 10, 2023.
PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed. Customer Service representatives will be available during regular weekday hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, November 11, PRT will be providing normal scheduled Saturday service, though from approximately 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m., many downtown routes will be detoured during the city’s 104th Annual Veterans’ Day Parade.
For a full listing of the various detours, visit https://www.rideprt.org/Detours/.
Customers with questions about any PRT services are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or live chat at www.rideprt.org.
###
November 1 - Wood Street Station to Remain Open Next Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 1, 2023) – Wood Street Station will remain open next week. The station had been scheduled to be closed from November 6-17 for the installation of new escalators.
Crews will continue to prepare for the new escalators, which will be installed at a later date.
Replacing the escalators is part of a $13.5 million project to replace nine escalators at three downtown light-rail stations to improve performance, safety, and reliability.
###
October 24 - Monongahela Incline to Reopen Tuesday Afternoon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 24, 2023) - The Monongahela Incline will reopen this afternoon, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The 153-year-old incline has been out of service since Wednesday, October 18, when the west car was damaged during routine maintenance.
October 20 - Escalator rehab work resumes at Steel Plaza Station, First Ave. Station to follow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 20, 2023) – Escalator rehabilitation work will resume at Steel Plaza Station beginning Monday, Oct. 23 with the removal and replacement of the final escalator at the station.
Contractors began work at Steel Plaza in April to replace three of the four escalators at the station. Those three are expected to reopen in early November. The fourth and final escalator will now be dismantled and replaced, with a projected reopening date in late March 2024.
Riders will start to see barricades placed around that escalator, which will be out of service while it is being replaced. The stairs and elevators will remain open.
Following that, work will begin on the escalator at First Avenue Station on Oct. 30, and is projected to last until late April 2024.
Contractors are also currently working at Wood Street Station to replace all four escalators within that station, which are expected to be fully installed by February 2024.
Wood Street Station will be closed from Nov. 6-17 and possibly Nov. 27-Dec. 1, while crews remove the existing escalators and install the new equipment. During the closures, riders who use Wood Street Station should instead use Steel Plaza or Gateway stations.
Work will primarily be conducted between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, although some weekend and overnight work may be required.
Replacing the escalators is part of a $13.5 million project to replace nine escalators at three downtown light-rail stations to improve performance, safety, and reliability.
PRT will post signs and announce any changes to scheduled service or planned outages via each station’s audio and visual equipment, online at www.ridePRT.org or on Twitter at @PghTransitAlert.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
October 19 - PRT Announces Bus Line Redesign Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 19, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is seeking public input to help rethink and redesign where bus routes should go in a post-pandemic world, as part of the NEXTransit Bus Line Redesign Project.
The 21-month-long project analyzing the entire bus system to comprehensively redesign the network was launched publicly at the Planning & Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting on Thursday.
Many transit agencies undergo redesigns at regular intervals, and this plan takes advantage of opportune timing to adjust the system for post-pandemic travel patterns to promote ridership, equity and inclusivity, provide better access to frequent transit, and create a simpler bus network. Bus Line Redesign aims to improve ease of movement, efficiency, and reliability of PRT buses to encourage future rider growth and prioritize current riders’ needs.
It is expected that many routes could be changed following the project, which will incorporate extensive data analysis, as well as several rounds of community engagement over the next 21 months.
During the first community engagement phase for this project, PRT will ask for public input to understand where, when, and how people want to travel in and around the region and to confirm priorities for what the bus network should accomplish once the project is complete.
PRT will host pop-up in-person public meetings throughout Allegheny County starting October 23, 2023, and these will run through the month of November. Two online public meetings will be held on November 14 and 16. For a complete list of dates, times and locations visit engage.rideprt.org/buslineredesign.
An online survey is also available at engage.rideprt.org/buslineredesign.
This project is expected to wrap in up spring of 2025 with a proposed new bus network design, and implementation plans to follow.
###
October 18 - Upcoming weekend disruptions to PRT service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 18, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit riders should anticipate significant bus and light-rail service disruptions this weekend.
It is anticipated that the Monongahela Incline will remain closed through next Tuesday, October 24, to repair damage to a door on the west car.
Wood Street Station is currently closed and will remain closed until Monday, October 23, for escalator rehabilitation work.
From 8 p.m. Friday, Octoer 20, through the start of service on Monday, October 23:
During this time, riders should plan for an additional 15-20 minutes of travel time as crews will resume repair work to the concrete track supports inside the Central Business District rail tunnels.
Riders traveling from the South Hills to Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit light-rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. Once at Gateway, a rail shuttle will serve North Side and Allegheny stations.
Riders traveling from the North Shore toward downtown can ride light-rail vehicles up to Gateway Station. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit the rail car at Gateway and board a shuttle bus from the temporary stop outside the station. The shuttle bus will drop riders off at Penn Station, where they can board rail cars heading to the South Hills.
From the start of service Saturday, October 21, through the start of service on Monday, October 23:
During this time, riders should plan for an additional 30-45 minutes of additional travel time as the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel will be closed to buses and rail cars, and all inbound and outbound bus and rail traffic will be detoured via Allentown.
A rail shuttle will operate between the inbound platform of Station Square and Penn Station.
Riders are encouraged to check PRT’s website for complete detour information: www.rideprt.org/Detours/.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
October 5 - Wood Street Station to be Closed October 9-23
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 5, 2023) – Wood Street Station will be closed for two weeks, from October 9 to October 23, to facilitate the removal of all four escalators at the station and to accommodate an ongoing light-rail construction project, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
From October 9 to October 20, rail cars will continue to serve all other stations in the Central Business District and no delays are expected.
From 8 p.m. on October 20 to October 23, inbound rail service will terminate at Penn Station (the bus and rail station along the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway).
Riders traveling to Gateway, North Side, or Allegheny stations should exit light-rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. From Gateway, a rail car will operate to North Side and Allegheny stations.
Meanwhile, during this time outbound rail service from the North Shore toward downtown will terminate at Gateway Station. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit the rail car and board a shuttle bus from the temporary stop outside the station. The shuttle bus will drop riders off at Penn Station to board rail cars heading to the South Hills.
Riders should allow for 30-45 minutes of additional travel time.
The bus stop located on Liberty Avenue outside Wood Street Station has been moved to Liberty Avenue past Strawberry Way to accommodate the station’s cleaning, a project that began in July. Shuttle buses will serve that temporary stop.
The replacement of the escalators at Wood Street Station is part of a $13.5 million project to replace nine escalators at three downtown light-rail stations. The escalators at Wood Street Station are expected to be fully installed by February 2024 and will remain out of service while they’re being replaced. The stairs and elevators will remain open.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
October 5 - A Portion of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway to Close Saturday and Sunday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 5, 2023) – A portion of the Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway will be closed on Saturday and Sunday to create room for a window washing project at the UPMC Assembly Building on Centre Avenue.
The busway will be closed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from East Liberty Station to the busway ramp at Neville Street.
Buses traveling inbound and outbound on the busway will not stop at Negley Station. Those buses will instead pick up and discharge riders on Ellsworth Avenue at Negley Avenue.
Delays of up to 20 minutes are expected.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
September 28 - PRT Seeks Input on Herron Station
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 29, 2023) – Members of the public are invited to weigh in on Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s design concepts for a future update to Herron Station along the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway in Polish Hill.
This early phase in the design process aims to seek input to make the Herron Station more comfortable, more attractive, safer, and easier to get to, particularly for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The goal of redesigning the station is to improve access, increase ridership, and raise the profile of this vital community asset.
There will be several opportunities to provide input, both in-person and online:
Date |
Time |
Location |
Neighborhood |
Tuesday, October 3 |
3 to 7 p.m. |
Lawrenceville Farmer’s Market (115 41st Street) |
Lawrenceville |
October 12 |
6:30 p.m. |
Lawrenceville Happenings Community Meeting (TRYP Hotel) |
Lawrenceville |
October 15 |
9 a.m. to Noon |
Kaibur Coffee (3138 Dobson Street) |
Polish Hill |
Tuesday, October 17 |
5 p.m. |
Strip District Neighbors Town Hall (Heinz History Center) |
Strip District |
The first online meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10.
The second online meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11.
To register these meetings, please visit https://engage.rideprt.org/herron
PRT is working with the City of Pittsburgh, the surrounding communities, and other stakeholders to improve the existing Herron Station.
For more information, interested members of the public can visit https://engage.rideprt.org/herron. The page will be updated with information and documents about the project as they become available.
###
September 21 - Great Race Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 21, 2023) – Nearly 40 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured for the annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race being held on Sunday.
Most detours will begin at the start of service. All detours will be in place by 7 a.m. and will last until approximately 1 p.m.
A complete list of detours is available at www.rideprt.org/greatrace2023.
PRT will operate two special bus routes between Oakland and downtown, and Squirrel Hill and downtown via the East Busway. Please allow for additional travel time, as all departure times are approximate and subject to change.
The special 5K bus service will begin at 6 a.m. and will operate between Gateway Station at Stanwix Street, downtown, and Bigelow Boulevard at Fifth Avenue in Oakland.
The special 10K bus service will begin at 7 a.m. and will operate between Gateway Station at Stanwix Street, downtown, and Forbes Avenue at Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill.
Both routes will be available to those participating in the race as well as anyone traveling between downtown and Oakland or downtown and Squirrel Hill.
Return service and frequency is conditional based upon the availability of street access due to event-related closures.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
September 8 - Escalator Project Transitions to Wood Street
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 6, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit began work this week to replace all four escalators at Wood Street Station.
Riders will start to see barricades placed inside the station as crews start to dismantle the existing escalators and prepare for the new escalators to arrive and be installed.
The escalators at Wood Street Station are expected to be installed by February 2024. They will be out of service while they’re being replaced; the stairs and elevators will remain open.
Contractors will primarily be working weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some weekend and overnight work may be required.
PRT will close Wood Street Station entirely from October 9-20 and from November 6-17 while crews remove the existing escalators and install the new escalators. During the closures, riders who use Wood Street Station should instead use Steel Plaza or Gateway stations.
Replacing the escalators at Wood Street Station is part of a $13.5 million project to replace nine escalators at three downtown light-rail stations.
After Wood Street, crews will replace the escalator at First Avenue Station before replacing the final escalator at Steel Plaza next summer. PRT recently replaced three of the four escalators at Steel Plaza Station and is awaiting inspection the week of September 18.
PRT will post signs and announce any changes to scheduled service via each station’s audio system, online at www.ridePRT.org and on Twitter at @PghTransitAlert.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
September 6 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Deploys Mobile Ticketing Across Light Rail, Now Available Systemwide
Pittsburgh Regional Transit Deploys Mobile Ticketing and Validators Across Light Rail Powered by Masabi
Mobile ticketing now available systemwide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 6, 2023) – With the installation of mobile ticketing validators on rail cars complete, the simple, convenient, and easy-to-use fare payment option is now available throughout the Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s entire system.
Powered by Masabi, the company delivering smarter ticketing through its open platform Justride, mobile ticketing is now available on PRT’s network of 700 buses, 80 rail cars, and both the Monongahela and Duquesne inclines.
“We are thrilled to finally launch mobile ticketing across our entire network,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Now, whether you ride the bus, rail, either incline, or across different modes to get where you’re going, you’ll have access to the best our system has to offer.”
The latest installation was enabled through the use of the light-rail-certified Justride Validator, which conforms with NFPA 130, the National Standard for Fire Prevention for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems, a federal requirement for installation of equipment in rail vehicles. PRT is the first agency in the world to roll out the Light Rail Certified Just Ride Validator, which was specifically designed to operate in the tightly regulated light rail system.
“By launching a light rail-certified variant of Justride Validator, we can now extend mobile ticketing with PRT across their entire transportation network,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO of Masabi. “Building on the more than 700 validators that we already have live across the agency's buses, riders can now use mobile ticketing for multi-modal journeys of all types - dramatically increasing the ease by which they can travel around the county.”
Starting today, riders can purchase tickets using the Ready2Ride app, which is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. PRT has also programmed its existing ticket vending machines to allow riders to use cash or payment cards at vending machines to load money onto their mobile ticketing account. Mobile ticketing is currently used for 13% of PRT’s trips.
“Mobile ticketing is a perfect example of how the use of technology can be used to simplify our system, increase access, and improve public transit,” said Jeffrey Devlin, chief innovation officer at PRT. “Our riders have been asking for this for years, and we’re genuinely excited to hear their feedback.”
PRT is also finalizing agreements that will allow riders to add money to their mobile ticketing accounts at several local retailers.
###
August 31 - Construction on PRT’s University Line to Begin September 13
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 31, 2023) - After more than a decade of planning, construction on the downtown portion of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s University Line will begin Wednesday, September 13, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today. The University Line is PRT’s first bus rapid transit project under the new level of service branded as PRTX.
Construction will start on Fifth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Market Street, adjacent to Triangle Park. The contractor will be working weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The initial work includes relocating and replacing water and sewer infrastructure.
Traffic on Fifth Avenue will be reconfigured for the first 30 days of construction. Both lanes of Fifth Avenue heading toward Fifth Avenue Place will be closed from Market Street to Liberty Avenue. Vehicles traveling toward Fifth Avenue Place will use the remaining travel lane.
Traffic coming from Liberty Avenue onto Fifth Avenue will be detoured onto Sixth Avenue or Fourth Avenue via Stanwix Street.
The sidewalk along Fifth Avenue adjacent to Triangle Park will be inaccessible during this work.
Once construction is complete, the Downtown Loop will include five PRTX stations:
- Ross Street (Fifth Avenue at Ross Street)
- William Penn Place (Fifth Avenue at William Penn Place)
- Market Square (Fifth Avenue at Market Street)
- Wood Street (Sixth Avenue at Wood Street)
- Steel Plaza (Sixth Avenue at Grant Street)
Buses will enter downtown on Fifth Avenue, turn right onto Liberty Avenue, right onto Sixth Avenue, and left onto Forbes Avenue. Construction of the Downtown Loop is expected to take 18 months.
PRT’s Board awarded the $27.8 million contract to Independence Excavating, Inc. on March 24. The second phase of the project – from Uptown to Oakland – will be put out for bid before the end of the year.
The University Line will improve accessibility and safety throughout the corridor. The project includes new sidewalks, ADA ramps, protected bike lanes, traffic signals, and landscaping.
Communities with PRTX service can expect increased reliability and on-time performance thanks to transit-only travel lanes and amenities like new shelters with real-time arrival screens.
###
August 31 - PRT Service for Labor Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 31, 2023) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light rail service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PRT's Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.RidePRT.org.
###
August 29 - Vaccine Requirements for PRT Employees to End August 31
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 29, 2023) - In 2022, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced COVID-19 vaccination requirements to promote the health and safety of our workforce, protecting not only existing and future employees and their families, but thousands of vulnerable riders and communities that rely on public transportation daily.
Prior to PRT’s adoption of the vaccination requirement, seven employees died as a result of the virus, four before the vaccine was widely available. Since then, there have been no reported employee deaths or hospitalizations. Nationally, COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations have declined substantially, as have cases among PRT employees.
Today, PRT is announcing that it will end its COVID-19 vaccine requirements for employees effective August 31, 2023.
PRT’s vaccination requirements helped ensure the safety of workers throughout Allegheny County. PRT achieved 98% compliance since the policy went into effect on February 1, 2022.
PRT’s vaccine mandate resulted in 84 terminations, including 43 operators. They will each have an opportunity to return to work.
###
August 21 - Service Adjustments Go Into Effect on October 1, Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 21, 2023) – Four bus routes that currently travel through the city’s Oakland neighborhood will no longer serve downtown Pittsburgh and Uptown beginning October 1 to help facilitate the flow of traffic during construction of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s University Line bus rapid transit project.
Beginning on Sunday, October 1, bus routes 61D-Murray, 71A-Negley, 71C-Point Breeze, and 71D-Hamilton will end their inbound trips in Oakland and will no longer serve Uptown and downtown Pittsburgh. These routes will have the word “Short” added to their route names and head signs.
Construction on the first phase of the University Line will begin in downtown Pittsburgh this fall. Shortening the routes to end in Oakland will prevent them from getting caught in traffic congestion caused by construction. The second phase of construction in Oakland and Uptown is expected to begin next year.
Riders who currently take the 61D, 71A, 71C or 71D to Uptown or downtown Pittsburgh can instead take the 61A-North Braddock, 61B-Braddock-Swissvale, 61C-McKeesport-Homestead or 71B-Highland Park bus routes or transfer to these routes in Oakland. Transfers are free for three hours for riders who use a ConnectCard or a mobile ticket.
To support these changes, PRT will add service on routes 82-Lincoln, 87-Friendship, and the P7-McKeesport Flyer, each of which share portions of their service areas with the shortened routes.
PRT will host an online meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12 to answer any questions riders may have on the changes. Registration is required. Please visit https://rideprt.org/october-2023-service-adjustments-meeting to sign up to attend online or by calling PRT Customer Service at 412-442-2000 to sign up to join by phone.
The meeting follows several rounds of public engagement related to these changes, including a formal public meeting in January.
PRT is working to make sure riders are aware of the changes ahead of time. In addition to placing signs at every inbound and some outbound bus stops that will be impacted by these changes, signs will be posted inside buses and audio messages will play on buses that travel the corridor.
Additionally, employees will be riding buses to remind riders of the changes the week before they go into effect and the week after the changes are implemented.
In addition to the adjustments described above, additional changes to service will be as follows:
Service frequency on the P1-East Busway will increase to minimize crowding during rush hours. Along with this change, the P2-East Busway Short variant of the P1 will be eliminated and all P2 trips will become P1 trips.
Some morning and evening 79-East Hills trips will be converted into P17-Lincoln Flyer trips that will serve Wilkinsburg Station. The 79 will operate an extension between Lincoln Avenue at Verona Boulevard and Wilkinsburg Station.
The detour for the weight-restricted Grant Avenue Bridge in Millvale will be built into the schedule for the 2-Mount Royal.
The detours for the city’s Charles Anderson Bridge rehabilitation project in Oakland will be built into the schedules for the 58-Greenfield, 65-Squirrel Hill, and 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood.
The 59-Mon Valley will terminate at Mountain View Drive at Home Depot due to the closure of Century III Mall Drive.
Service to Larimer via East Liberty Boulevard on the 89-Garfield Commons will be discontinued and replaced with service through Bakery Square and North Point Breeze.
Several other bus routes will experience minor trip time adjustments and some frequency changes to improve reliability. Many of these changes were made in consultation with operators and rider requests.
For a complete list of changes, visit www.ridePRT.org/ServiceUpdates.
Please contact Customer Service with any questions at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
August 18 - Monongahela Incline to Reopen on Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 18, 2023) – The Monongahela Incline will reopen on Monday morning, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
Closed since last Friday, PRT determined that an air conditioning unit inside an electronics cabinet created excessive condensation, which caused the emergency brake to engage and the cars to stop unexpectedly.
Over the last week, PRT’s engineering team and consultants developed a remedy to reduce the amount of condensation the air conditioning unit created while still ensuring the circuitry inside the communications cabinet does not overheat. PRT will continue to conduct tests over the weekend.
Port Authority police, along with firefighters and paramedics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Public Safety, were called to the scene about 5 p.m. Friday when 12 people were stranded about 50 feet from the stations. Although emergency responders were preparing to rescue the passengers, crews were able to get the cars moving about 6 p.m. and no rescue was required.
The 153-year-old incline, the oldest continuously operating funicular in the country, sees about 1,000 riders every weekday and 4,500 riders on weekends. The incline was last inspected in March following an $8.2 million rehabilitation project.
###
August 14 - Monongahela Incline Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 14, 2023) - A preliminary investigation has concluded that condensation buildup caused by an air conditioning unit attached to an electrical cabinet triggered the emergency brake of the Monongahela Incline on Friday evening, unexpectedly stopping the cars partially through the ride, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The incline will remain closed until engineers determine a way to allow condensation to dissipate more efficiently. The electrical cabinet contains electronic circuitry that connects the incline’s motor to the control system. The air conditioning unit ensures the circuitry inside the cabinet does not overheat.
Port Authority police, along with firefighters and paramedics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Public Safety, were called to the incline about 5 p.m. Friday when 12 people – nine on the car closest to the lower station and three on the car closest to the upper station – were stranded about 50 feet from the stations. Although emergency responders were preparing to rescue the passengers, crews were able to get the cars moving about 6 p.m. and no rescue was required.
PRT closed the incline immediately following the incident.
Once a remedy is in place, PRT plans to conduct several test trips before reopening. There is currently no timeline as to when the incline will reopen.
The 153-year-old incline, the oldest continuously operating funicular in the country, sees 1,000 riders every weekday and 4,500 riders on weekends.
The incline was last inspected in March following an $8.2 million rehabilitation project.
###
July 28 - Several Bus Routes to be Detoured This Weekend for Open Streets, Other Events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Dozens of Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured this weekend for a variety of events, including Bike Pittsburgh’s Open Streets in the city’s Oakland and Bloomfield neighborhoods on Sunday.
Bus routes 28X, 54, 58, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 64, 67, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 75, 77, 81, 82, 83, 86, 93, P1, and P68 will be detoured on Sunday from 7 a.m. until roads reopen about 3 p.m.
Routes that usually use Forbes Avenue will instead use Fifth Avenue. Routes that usually use Centre Avenue will instead use Baum Boulevard. Routes that usually use Liberty Avenue will instead use Friendship Avenue.
Also on Sunday:
Routes 61C, 61D, 64, and 93 will be detoured in both directions from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. along a portion of Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill for a Torah dedication ceremony.
Route 75 will also be detoured on inbound trips to the South Side from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the Tacomania Festival at South Side Works.
Bus routes 40, 41, 44, Y46, Y49, and all light-rail service will be detoured via Warrington Avenue from 8 p.m. until early Monday as crews install and test a new ventilation system and commission a new fire alarm system in the Mount Washington Transit Tunnel.
On Saturday, with a portion of Monongahela Avenue closed for Swissvale’s 125th anniversary celebration, bus routes 59 and 61B will be detoured from 2 to 4 p.m.
Riders should plan ahead and allow for additional travel time if traveling via any of the routes impacted by detours.
On weekends, Customer Service representatives are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.RidePRT.org.
###
July 21 - Public Meetings Scheduled for Homestead to McKeesport Improvements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 21, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will host two public meetings next month on possible public transit and pedestrian improvements along the PA-837 corridor between Homestead and McKeesport.
The first meeting will be held online from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2. Registration is required at https://engage.rideprt.org/h2m/August-Meeting.
The second meeting will be held in-person from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 3 at the Mon Valley Initiative, 305 E. Eighth Ave., Homestead, PA, 15210. Refreshments will be served.
PRT employees and consultants will present existing conditions and conceptual designs for potential changes to the corridor. The first round of public meetings were held in December 2021.
Find more details on the project, please visit https://engage.rideprt.org/h2m.
###
July 20 - Construction, Picklesburgh to Impact Weekend Bus, Rail Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 20, 2023) – Significant disruptions to Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light-rail vehicles are expected in downtown Pittsburgh this weekend with multiple ongoing construction projects and Picklesburgh-related street closures.
Riders traveling to and from downtown Pittsburgh should allow an additional 30 to 45 minutes of travel time.
From 8 p.m. Friday through the start of service on Monday, crews will resume making repairs to the rail system’s concrete support structure. This work, which began in October 2022, had been temporarily suspended so it would not interfere with other events. The work is being performed on weekends through next year.
During this work, inbound rail service will run from the South Hills to Penn Station (the bus and rail station along the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway).
Riders using Steel Plaza should be aware that the escalators are being replaced and are therefore not available for use; the stairs and elevators remain open.
Riders continuing to Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit light-rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. From Gateway, a rail car will operate to North Side and Allegheny stations.
Outbound rail service from the North Shore toward downtown will end at Gateway Station. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit the rail car and board a shuttle bus from the temporary stop outside the station. The shuttle bus will drop riders off at Penn Station, where they can board rail cars heading to the South Hills.
Additionally, Wood Street Station will be closed from 8 p.m. until Monday morning. And the bus stop located on Liberty Avenue outside Wood Street Station has been moved a short distance away to Liberty Avenue past Strawberry Way to accommodate the station’s cleaning, a project that began earlier this week. Shuttle buses will serve the temporary stop past Strawberry Way.
Riders taking light rail to Picklesburgh from the South Hills are encouraged to exit at First Avenue Station to avoid the above-mentioned rail detour. From the North Side, riders should exit at Gateway Station. Several bus routes will also be detoured.
Bus riders are encouraged to check PRT’s website for complete detour information: www.rideprt.org/Detours/.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
July 3 - Wood Street Station Cleaning, Repairs to Start Monday, July 10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 3, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit and its contractors will begin exterior cleaning and repair work at Wood Street Station next week.
The project will begin on Monday, July 10, and is expected to be completed by October. The contractor will be cleaning the entire exterior of the building and performing repairs between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
During the work, contractors will place scaffolding and temporary fencing around the building, with overhead protection for pedestrians, and screens to protect from any overspray.
Some sidewalks around the building may be temporarily inaccessible, but access to the station will remain available for riders of the light rail system.
Additionally, the bus stop located outside Wood Street Station on Liberty Avenue will be moved a short distance away to Liberty Avenue at Strawberry Way.
Chemical soaps will be used to clean the building. These have been reviewed by PRT’s environmental specialist and will be reclaimed for proper disposal.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
June 28 - PRT Service for Independence Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 28, 2023) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate modified service on Tuesday, July 4, for Independence Day.
Buses will operate on Sunday schedules. The light rail will operate on special holiday schedules that can be found at www.rideprt.org/holidays.
Due to anticipated high ridership at the Monongahela Incline, PRT will attempt to provide shuttle buses to transport riders up to Mt. Washington. Shuttle bus service will depend on employee availability.
Riders are encouraged to allow for additional travel time and to check www.rideprt.org/detours/ before heading out.
PRT Customer Service will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Bus and rail service will follow regular weekday schedules on Monday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 5.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat during regular business hours at www.rideprt.org.
###
June 23 - PRT Board Approves FY24 Operating, Capital Budgets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 23, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board on Friday approved the agency’s Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budgets. The FY24 budget, which runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, includes no major service reductions, layoffs, or fare hikes.
The FY24 operating budget totals $535.4 million. It is 1.8% higher than last year’s operating budget.
The FY24 capital budget totals $195.2 million. It includes $32.2 million toward the future rehabilitation of the Panhandle Bridge, $17.8 funding for thirty 40-foot clean-diesel buses, $2 million to repave the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway, and nearly $100 million for various improvements to fixed guideways, facilities, and stations.
PRT used $69.6 million in federal stimulus funds to balance the budget due to lower passenger revenue that can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership continues to grow, but remains 40% below pre-pandemic levels. For the second year in a row, the budget assumes a 15% increase in ridership.
###
June 15 - PRT Service on June 19, Juneteenth National Freedom Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 15, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light-rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, June 19.
Customer Service representatives will be available to assist riders from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
PRT’s administrative offices and Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day.
On Saturday, June 17, riders are encouraged to allow for additional travel time as detours for several events related to the Juneteenth holiday are expected to create delays in Downtown Pittsburgh and adjacent neighborhoods.
A complete list of detoured routes is available at www.portauthority.org/detours/
Riders are additionally reminded that schedules for more than 30 bus routes will be adjusted on Sunday, June 18. More information can be found at www.ridePRT.org/ServiceUpdates.
For more information or to find information about schedules or service, please contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransit, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
June 22 - Taylor Swift, Juneteenth Help PRT See Highest Ridership in Years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 22, 2023) - Pitsburgh Regional Transit is celebrating a successful holiday weekend, with several major events in downtown Pitsburgh contributing to the highest weekend ridership since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
PRT's light-rail system transported an estimated 85,000 people to and from music superstar Taylor Swift's concerts at Acrisure Stadium on Friday and Saturday nights, nearly four times the average for a Friday and Saturday.
Several Juneteenth-related events in downtown Pitsburgh contributed to even more rides unaccounted for in the estimates.
“We knew there would be a lot of demand for public transit this past weekend, and I’m extremely proud of the way our teams stepped up,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “In addition to our employees, I want to thank riders for choosing to use public transit. The crowds this weekend, especially with so many young people, give us a lot of hope for the future of our industry.”
On Friday, light rail cars made 60 trips in addition to regular service to take an estimated 48,000 fans to and from Swift's sold-out show at Acrisure Stadium. Sixty-two extra trips and regular service took an estimated 37,000 fans to and from her Saturday concert.
PRT ridership has begun to rebound since April 2020, when total ridership averaged less than 52,000 rides per day. Today, bus ridership is up 76% compared to May 2020 and 10% over May 2022. Rail ridership is up 380% compared to May 2020 and 88% over May 2022. Overall, ridership is slowly increasing but remains 40% below pre-pandemic levels.
The weekend's success falls on the heels of the American Public Transportation Association's 2023 Rail Conference held earlier in the week at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. More than 1,600 transit professionals from around the country attended the three-day conference.
###
June 14 - Washington Junction Station Upgrades to Begin Next Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 14, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will begin work to replace the canopies that cover the inbound and outbound platforms at Washington Junction beginning next week.
The project will begin on June 19 and is expected to be complete by July 21.
Work will occur overnight between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. During the first three weeks of the project, no service disruptions are expected. In the final two weeks, light-rail vehicles will single-track through the area while crews install the new canopies.
The canopy replacement is part of the High Platform Station project, which aims to maintain and improve 18 high-platform stations along PRT’s light-rail system. The project began in February 2022.
Project updates can be found at www.rideprt.org/HighPlatformProject. Detours will also be communicated via Twitter @PghTransitCare.
To accommodate operations for this work, construction activities at the Mt. Lebanon Transit Tunnel will transition to daylight hours for the last two weeks of the Washington Junction work. The fans inside the tunnel will only operate on the Dormont side of the tunnel from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Single tracking will occur through the area during that work.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
June 13 - PRT, FTA Execute $150 Grant Agreement for Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 13, 2023) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit has executed a grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the final step of securing all federal funding for the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bus Rapid Transit project. The FTA announced in 2020 it would allocate the funding for the project, and has since then developed, reviewed, and approved the grant that was awarded today.
The $150 million grant means the project has all funding in-hand to construct the $291 million system, which will provide more reliable, convenient, and faster service with improved amenities, safety features, and transit connections in downtown Pittsburgh, Uptown, and Oakland.
“The Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT line will improve transit speed and reliability on one of the highest transit ridership corridors in Pittsburgh,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool, who joined PRT and local officials at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to announce the grant award. “We are pleased to support this project that will better connect communities to jobs and education.”
The BRT line – dubbed The University Line – will include 23 new stations, exclusive transit-only and bicycle lanes, intersection improvements, accessible ramps, and more. PRT serves more than 30,000 people a day in the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland corridor, connecting the second- and third-largest job centers in Pennsylvania, and five universities – University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Point Park University, and Carlow University.
"This is an exciting day for the future of our region as we celebrate such a significant step in this project that has been years in the making. We are grateful for the FTA’s support, and to all of the federal agencies who have played a part in this project," said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. "Connecting communities to reliable and accessible public transportation builds economic opportunity and increases mobility for tens of thousands of Allegheny County residents. This effort to link our first and second largest job centers with reliable, efficient, and rapid connections will be hugely impactful. We are indebted to our partners for their cooperation and collaboration, and to the public for their support that has made a project like this possible."
“The people in our neighborhoods are the greatest winners,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. “We’re thankful for the Federal Transit Administration assist in securing the money needed for this city to grow and allow the project to finally happen. This will help make the connections in growing business and development areas as well as improve the ability of people to get to and from work. This is how we continue to make this a city that people want to come back to and make their home.”
The infrastructure upgrades will improve safety, speed, and efficiency of the buses that operate within the corridor and provide riders with more amenities at each station, like benches, ticket vending machines, increased lighting, and security.
“We are tremendously grateful for all our partners that have made today possible. Major projects that improve public transportation in our region are easy to imagine yet difficult to execute, so to reach this milestone is truly a testament to all those involved throughout the years,” said PRT Board Chair Jeffrey W. Letwin.
The University Line will improve transit service reliability, reduce bus bunching, and will allow PRT to redeploy the hours saved elsewhere in the county. The University Line is also expected to help spur development and create additional residential and business opportunities.
“I want to thank all of our partners who for years have worked to ensure this project remained a priority,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “This project represents a tremendous investment in our neighborhoods, one that will serve to improve the lives of thousands of riders who travel within this corridor every day. Modern cities demand world-class transit systems that move people, connect communities, and drive vitality, and I’m proud to have helped make this project a reality.”
In addition to the $150 million grant from the FTA, The University Line is being funded through the American Rescue Plan ($19.3 million), the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program ($9.3 million), Allegheny County ($30 million), the City of Pittsburgh ($8.8 million), and PRT ($73.6 million).
“We are thankful to have the PRT direct meaningful regional investments in our neighborhoods. Their work to provide accessibility and connectivity within our community’s bridges gaps that exist between our core needs of housing, jobs, culture and the arts. When we collectively enable access to affordable and quality housing and jobs, we create environments where people can thrive,” said Susheela Nemani-Stanger, executive director of Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority. “This project removes obstacles, and we are pleased to play a role in its completion.”
In March, PRT’s Board approved a $28 million contract with Independence Excavating Inc. for the first phase of construction in downtown Pittsburgh. Construction is expected to begin this fall.
###
May 24 - PRT Service on Memorial Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 24, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light-rail service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available to assist riders from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
PRT’s administrative offices and Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday.
For more information or to find information about schedules or service, please contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransit, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
May 17 - PRT Announces Service Adjustments for June
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 17, 2023) – Schedules for more than 30 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be adjusted on Sunday, June 18.
Most routes will experience minor trip time adjustments and some frequency changes to improve reliability. Some of these changes have been made in consultation with PRT’s scheduling committee and customer requests.
For riders of the 24-West Park, service along Pitchfork Drive and Crabapple Drive will be discontinued due to lack of ridership. All weekday trips will serve The Mall at Robinson. Sunday frequency was reduced from 45 minutes to 55 minutes.
The 41-Bower Hill route has been extended to Penn Station along the East Busway with new additional stops added.
The 54-Northside-Oakland-South Side route will now serve the Community College of Allegheny County and extend to Allegheny Station.
The 60-McKeesport-Walnut will no longer serve the stop near Planet Fitness in the Olympia Shopping Center. Riders should instead board buses at the nearby Olympia Park and Ride bus shelter.
The 67-Monroeville and P68-Braddock Hills Flyer will now serve the new VA Clinic at the Monroeville Mall Mondays through Saturdays. The clinic is closed, and buses will bypass that stop on Sundays.
Riders are reminded to check their schedules before heading out. For a complete list of changes, visit www.ridePRT.org/ServiceUpdates.
Please contact Customer Service with any questions at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
May 12 - PRT to Close a Portion of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway for the Next Two Weekends
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 12, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will close a portion of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway for the next two weekends beginning tomorrow, Saturday, May 13.
The busway will be open Monday through Friday.
This weekend’s closure will allow crews to perform maintenance of a sign on the Assembly Building on Centre Avenue. Next weekend’s closure (Saturday May 20 and Sunday, May 21) will allow crews to mill and repave the busway’s road surface.
During both weekend closures, buses will be unable to serve Negley Station from the start of service on Saturday through Sunday evening.
Buses traveling inbound toward downtown Pittsburgh will continue to serve East Liberty Station, but will exit the busway at Ellsworth Avenue, turn right onto Amberson Avenue, left onto Bayard Street, and return to the busway at Neville Street. Inbound buses will serve the bus stop on Ellsworth at Negley (Stop #8246).
Buses traveling outbound toward Swissvale will exit the busway at Neville Street, turn left onto Ellsworth Avenue and return to the busway. Outbound buses will serve the bus stop at Ellsworth at Negley (Stop #8265).
Riders traveling on the busway or through area should plan for an additional 10 to 15 minutes of travel time.
Milling and paving the busway is one of the final steps of the $2.5 million renovation of Negley Station, which is anticipated to be fully complete by the end of June. The station has remained open throughout construction.
The new Negley Station will feature improved station accessibility, bicycle parking, passenger pickup and drop-off locations, lighting and safety upgrades, a public gathering plaza, and wider sidewalks.
###
May 5 - Dozens of PRT bus routes to be detoured this weekend for Pittsburgh Marathon and related events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 4, 2023) – Dozens of Pittsburgh Regional Transit
bus routes will be detoured this weekend for the Pittsburgh Marathon and related
events.
Riders are strongly encouraged to review the detours and allow for additional travel time
throughout the weekend. Detours can be found at www.rideprt.org.
Detours will start at noon on Friday, May 5 in downtown Pittsburgh for routes 52L, 53L,
56, 57, 65, 67, 68, and 69 for staging and setup.
On Saturday, more than 50 bus routes will be on detour starting at 7 a.m. for the UPMC
Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine 5K Run and the Chick-fil-A Kids Marathon.
On Sunday, more than 60 bus routes will be on detour from the start of service until 6
p.m. for the Dick's Sport Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, the UPMC Health Plan Half-Marathon, the FedEx Ground Marathon Relay and the UPMC Sports Medicine "BACKHalf" Marathon Races.
From the start of service on Sunday until 2:30 p.m., PRT will operate a free shuttle
every 15-30 minutes between Oakland and Squirrel Hill.
Also on Sunday, the Monongahela Incline will begin operating at 5 a.m.
Concrete repair work in the downtown subway will not occur this weekend. That work
will resume next weekend.
Riders with questions about detours are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service
by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.rideprt.org.
###
April 20 - Denise Station Ramp Repairs to Begin May 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 20, 2023) – Ramp access to the outbound platform of Denise Station will be closed for nearly two weeks beginning Monday, May 1, while Pittsburgh Regional Transit constructs a new ramp to improve accessibility.
The ramp to the inbound platform will remain accessible, however a temporary walkway to the outbound platform may be inaccessible for riders who use mobility devices.
Riders who are traveling outbound and require use of the ramp from May 1 to May 12 should proceed to Bon Air or South Bank stations.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
April 13 - PRT to Replace Nine Escalators in Central Business District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 13, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will replace nine escalators at three downtown light-rail stations starting later this month to improve performance, safety, and reliability.
Contractors will start the $13.5 million project on April 24 by replacing three of the four escalators at Steel Plaza Station. They’ll then move to Wood Street Station in the fall and to First Avenue Station in early 2024. Contractors will finish the project next summer back at Steel Plaza, replacing the fourth escalator in the station.
The escalators at each station will be out of service while they’re being replaced. The stairs and elevators at each location will remain open.
Work will primarily be conducted between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, although some weekend and overnight work may be required.
PRT will post signs and announce any changes to scheduled service or planned outages via each station’s audio and visual equipment, online at www.ridePRT.org or on Twitter at @PghTransitAlert.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
April 5 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Service for Good Friday, Easter holidays
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 5, 2023) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate regular weekday transit service on Friday, April 7.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of Good Friday.
PRT will also operate regular Sunday service on Easter Sunday, April 9. Customer Service representatives will be available regular Sunday hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Service Center is not open on Sundays.
Customer Service representatives can be reached by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
March 27 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Again Named Military Friendly® Employer
This is the second consecutive year PRT has been honored with the distinction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 27, 2023) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is proud to announce that it has been recognized as a Military Friendly® employer for the second consecutive year.
The Military Friendly® designation is awarded to organizations that demonstrate a commitment to creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Victory Media evaluates organizations based on their programs, policies, and outcomes in support of veterans, military personnel, and their families.
"We are honored to receive this recognition for the second year in a row," said PRT CEO Katherine Kelleman. "And we’re proud to support our military community and to offer opportunities for them to build long and successful careers at our agency."
PRT's commitment to supporting military personnel and veterans is reflected in its programs and policies. The organization provides a variety of benefits, including tuition reimbursement, military leave, and a Veterans Employee Resource Group.
The Military Friendly® designation is awarded based on a comprehensive survey that evaluates an organization's performance in various categories, such as hiring and onboarding practices, benefits, culture, and community engagement.
About Military Friendly®
Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization's commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. The designation is owned by Viqtory, Inc., a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Viqtory is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com/mfcguide
March 24 - PRT Board Approves Bus Rapid Transit Phase One Construction Contract, Service Changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 24, 2023) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit's Board approved a $28 million contract to construct the first phase of the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bus Rapid Transit project, the agency announced today.
Independence Excavating, Inc. will begin construction this fall along Fifth, Liberty, and Sixth avenues in downtown Pittsburgh. Phase one includes the installation of five new bus stations in downtown Pittsburgh, transit-exclusive traffic lanes, intersection improvements, new accessible ramps, among other improvements.
"I want to thank everyone who has helped us achieve this milestone,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “This project has taken years to coordinate, plan, and engineer, and I’m honored to help usher the project to this key stage.”
The $291 million Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT project will provide more reliable, convenient, and faster service with improved amenities and transit connections. The project is being paid for with federal, state, county, and PRT funding.
PRT expects to advertise bids for the second phase of the project, which would extend from the edge of downtown through Uptown and into Oakland, this fall, with construction on the second phase beginning in 2024.
The Board on Friday also approved service changes to bus routes 61D, 71A, 71C, and 71D, which are expected to be implemented this fall. Proposed changes to the P3 bus route were deferred.
###
March 22 - Repair Work to Disrupt Weekend Rail Service in Downtown Pittsburgh, North Shore
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 22, 2023) – Concrete repair work in the downtown subway tunnels will transition to its next phase – from Steel Plaza to Gateway Station - beginning on Friday, March 24.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit light-rail service from the South Hills to downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore will be disrupted from 8 p.m. on Friday until the start of service on Monday, March 27.
During this work, inbound rail service will continue to serve Steel Plaza, but will use the inbound platform of the usually dormant Track 4 instead of the center platform. Inbound rail cars will continue to Penn Station on the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway.
Riders continuing to Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit light-rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. From Gateway, a rail car will operate to North Side and Allegheny stations.
Rail service from the North Shore toward downtown will end at Gateway Station. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit the rail car and board a shuttle bus from a temporary stop outside the station. The shuttle bus will drop riders off at Penn Station, where riders can proceed to the platform to board rail cars heading to the South Hills.
Wood Street Station will not be served during work hours.
Riders should allow for 30-40 minutes of additional travel time.
This work is also scheduled to be conducted the weekend of March 31 through April 3, followed by additional weekend closures over the next several months. All work is weather permitting.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
March 17 - PRT Celebrates Transit Driver Appreciation Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 17, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit is joining transit agencies across the country in recognizing bus and light-rail operators by observing Transit Driver Appreciation Day on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
PRT has more than 1,000 transit operators who work 365 days a year to keep Allegheny County moving. They are often the first people we see after leaving home and the last people we see at the end of the day.
We thank them for going the extra mile to get us where we need to go.
PRT encourages riders show their appreciation to bus, light-rail, and incline operators on Transit Driver Appreciation Day and every day.
Riders can also show their appreciation by submitting a message of praise at www.ridePRT.org/CustomerService.
If you would like to become a PRT operator, we’re hiring! PRT offers competitive hourly rates starting at $22.82 after training with benefits that include health insurance, tuition reimbursements, and retirement plan options. Please encourage friends, family, and community members to become part of the PRT team that keeps our region moving. Apply at www.rideprt.org/careers.
###
March 16 - PRT Committee Recommends Bus Rapid Transit Phase One Construction Contract, Service Changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 16, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board will consider awarding a $28 million construction contract for the first phase of its Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bust Rapid Transit project at its regularly scheduled meeting next week, moving the long-awaited project closer to completion.
PRT’s Board will consider the contract with Independence Excavating, Inc. at its meeting on Friday, March 24. Phase One of the BRT project is the downtown area along Fifth, Liberty, and Sixth avenues known as the Downtown Loop.
The Board on Friday will also consider the Title VI analysis and major service changes to bus routes 61D, 71A, 71C, and 71D, to be implemented this fall.
Proposed changes to the P3 bus route will be deferred while staff continue to review alternatives before changes go into effect in 2025.
“The Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bus Rapid Transit project will be transformative to our city and our region by improving transit access and amenities throughout a vital corridor,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman.
The $291 million Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT project will provide more reliable, convenient, and faster service with improved amenities and transit connections. Phase One includes the installation of five new bus stations in downtown Pittsburgh, transit-exclusive traffic lanes, intersection improvements, new accessible ramps, among other improvements.
March 13 - New Bus Stop Signs Coming Soon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 13, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit is excited to announce the debut of new bus stop signs later this month in downtown Pittsburgh and along the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway.
In addition to new PRT branding, the new signs provide riders with more information for a successful journey, including greater reflectivity for increased visibility to riders and bus drivers at night, and scannable QR codes for quick access to scheduled and real-time vehicle information.
Riders can also text their stop ID to 41411 for vehicle location information, a feature PRT introduced in 2018.
PRT crews will start installing the new signs at the end of March. PRT has nearly 7,000 bus stops.
Production and installation will be completed in-house at a cost approximately $30,000 a year.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
March 10 - Several Bus Routes to Detour in Downtown Pittsburgh for Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 10, 2023) – About 50 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured on Saturday for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Pittsburgh.
Although most buses will be detoured starting at 9 a.m., buses that use the Boulevard of the Allies or Liberty Avenue in the Strip District will be detoured starting at about 7 a.m. Most buses will return to their regular route by about 3 p.m. although some routes will remain detoured until 5 p.m.
For information about specific bus routes, please visit www.rideprt.org/StPatricksDay.
A light rail shuttle will operate between Penn Station and Steel Plaza Station from 7 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m. to transport riders from the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway. These trips will be coordinated with buses arriving downtown via the busway.
Riders with questions about detours are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.rideprt.org. Customer Service representatives are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
###
March 3 - Monongahela Incline to Reopen on Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 3, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will reopen the Monongahela Incline on Monday, March 6, 2023.
Since PRT closed the incline for an $8.2 million renovation project on August 1, contractors have modernized the mechanical controls and electrical system, upgraded the interiors of the upper and lower stations, installed exterior track lighting, and completed other updates to the historic funicular.
The incline passed inspections today. Operators will spend the weekend getting more familiar with the new control systems before the incline reopens at 5:30 a.m. on Monday.
“The Mon Incline has served generations of Pittsburghers for more than 150 years and holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “These renovations will help preserve the incline’s historic charm and ensure that it’s able to safely and successfully operate for another 150 years.”
A beloved Pittsburgh fixture since it was built in 1870, the Mon Incline provides quick and convenient access to Mt. Washington and serves as a destination for tens of thousands of tourists each year.
Supply chain and material delivery issues delayed its reopening since November.
“We are tremendously grateful to the residents and businesses of Mt. Washington for their patience during this work,” Kelleman said. “We know how important the incline is to our hilltop neighbors.”
The Monongahela Incline operates Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to midnight and on Sundays and holidays from 8:45 a.m. to midnight.
For more information, riders are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.rideprt.org. PRT Customer Service is available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
###
February 28 - Work to Resume Inside Mt. Lebanon Transit Tunnel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 28, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will restart construction activities inside the Mt. Lebanon Transit Tunnel beginning next week.
The $5.1 million project to update the emergency ventilation system is intended to reduce both the moisture inside the tunnel and noise the fans create.
Beginning Monday, March 6, contractors will start replacing conduit on the inbound side of the tunnel weekdays from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Red Line riders traveling both inbound and outbound will board light rail vehicles on the outbound platforms of Mt. Lebanon Station and Dormont Junction from 8 p.m. until the end of service each weekday. The inbound platform will be open when the contractors are not working.
Contractors will install the new fans this fall with the full project expected to be completed by early next year. Any construction activities that impact residents, businesses or riders will be announced in advance.
PRT began work inside the tunnel, which spans Mt. Lebanon and Dormont, in January 2022. The project has been delayed several months due to supply chain issues and the discovery that metal conduit inside the tunnel was corroded. The conduit needed to be replaced before work could resume.
For project schedule updates visit the project webpage at www.rideprt.org/MtLeboTunnel.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
February 23 - Continued Repair Work to Disrupt Light Rail Service over the Next Two Weekends
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 23, 2023) – Concrete repair work in the tunnel between Steel Plaza and First Avenue will disrupt Pittsburgh Regional Transit light rail service to downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore over the next two weekends.
Work will start at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 24 and finish by the start of service on Monday, February 27, and at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 3 and finish by the start of service on Monday, March 6. All work is weather permitting.
During the work, inbound rail service will end at First Avenue Station. Riders continuing to Steel Plaza, Wood Street, Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit light-rail vehicles at First Avenue Station and board a shuttle bus at the corner of First Avenue and Try Street. The shuttle will drop riders off outside Steel Plaza Station. From there, a rail car will operate to Allegheny Station, serving each station along the way.
Outbound rail service from the North Shore toward downtown will end at Steel Plaza. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit the rail car at Steel Plaza and board a shuttle bus along Grant Street. The shuttle bus will drop riders off outside First Avenue Station, where riders can proceed up to the platform and board outbound rail cars.
Riders should allow for at least 30 minutes of additional travel time.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
February 16 - PRT Service for Presidents' Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 16, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, February 20.
PRT’s administrative offices and Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Riders with questions about service are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.RidePRT.org.
###
February 14 - Overbrook Junction to Receive Infrastructure Upgrade
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 14, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will be constructing a new ramp to the inbound platform of Overbrook Junction this month to improve accessibility along the Red Line.
To facilitate construction, the existing ramp will be closed from Tuesday, February 21 through Sunday, February 26. The new ramp is expected to be finished by the start of service on Monday, February 27.
Riders must use the station’s outbound platform between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21 and Wednesday, February 22 while crews construct a temporary inbound platform. Once complete, the temporary platform will be able to accommodate all riders except those who require a flat surface for mobility devices.
Riders who need to use a ramp should instead board Blue Line or Silver Line rail cars at nearby Willow Station. Those who specifically need to use the Red Line should board rail cars at Castle Shannon Station or Washington Junction.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
February 8 - Repair Work to Disrupt Light Rail Service over the Next Two Weekends
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 8, 2023) – Repair work will disrupt Pittsburgh Regional Transit light rail service to downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore for the next two weekends.
Work will begin each Friday evening through the start of service on Monday morning. During the work, inbound rail service will end at First Avenue Station.
Riders continuing to Steel Plaza, Wood Street, Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit light-rail vehicles at First Avenue Station and board a shuttle bus at the corner of First Avenue and Try Street. The shuttle will drop riders off outside Steel Plaza Station. From there, a rail car will operate to Allegheny Station, serving each station along the way.
Outbound rail service from the North Shore toward downtown will end at Steel Plaza. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit the rail car at Steel Plaza and board a shuttle bus along Grant Street. The shuttle bus will drop riders off outside First Avenue Station, where riders can proceed up to the platform and board outbound rail cars.
Riders should allow for at least 20 minutes of additional travel time.
This work will occur beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 10 through 4 a.m. on Monday, February 13; and again during the same times on February 17 through February 20. All the work is weather-dependent.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
February 3 - PRT Service in Millvale Temporarily Discontinued
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 3, 2023) – Effective immediately, Pittsburgh Regional Transit will be unable to serve most of Millvale Borough after PennDOT reduced the weight limit of the Grant Avenue Bridge.
The change effectively prohibits PRT from serving the community; Lincoln Avenue, the only viable detour, is currently closed.
Rather than using Grant Avenue, PRT will instead detour the 2-Mt. Royal bus route via Evergreen Road. Overall, seven inbound and eight outbound bus stops will be discontinued, while three inbound and three outbound bus stops will be established.
The full detour notice can be found by visiting the detours section at www.rideprt.org.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or by chatting with a representative at www.rideprt.org.
###
February 1 - PRT Now Accepting Applications for Bulk Pass Pilot Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 1, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit is now accepting applications for its new Bulk Pass Pilot Program, which will allow businesses and multifamily building managers to purchase transit passes for their employees or tenants at steep discounts.
PRT welcomes applications from businesses and multifamily residential buildings with more than 10 employees or units that are located within a half-mile of PRT service. Those selected will purchase one pass for every employee or residential unit for six months at $25 per month per pass, a 74% discount.
In other U.S. cities, low-cost bulk passes are used to help businesses attract and retain employees and as an amenity to prospective and current tenants of multifamily residential buildings.
This six-month pilot program will allow PRT to gauge interest in the program, determine the appropriate pricing structure, and track ridership changes among participants.
Applications are being accepted on the PRT website www.rideprt.org/bulkpilot beginning today through Friday, March 3. After participants are selected, the pilot is expected to begin on April 3.
The Bulk Pass Pilot Program is graciously supported by a $50,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments.
###
February 1 - PRT Seeks Public Input on Two Potential Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway Projects
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 1, 2023) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will host conversations with the community regarding two new potential development opportunities along the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway.
The meetings will focus on constructing a new transit station at Brushton Avenue in Homewood and moving the existing station in Wilkinsburg to a location closer to the borough’s business district.
The first meeting will be held online from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8. To participate, visit www.rideprt.org/boteb.
The second meeting will be held in-person from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 9 at the Wilkinsburg Train Station located at 901 Hay Street. Attendees can arrive at any time to view and discuss the proposals with PRT staff.
Those attending either meeting will have an opportunity to review and weigh in on two different design concepts for each station.
///
January 19 - Significant Service Disruptions Expected This Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 19, 2023) – Riders using public transit this weekend should expect significant disruptions in downtown Pittsburgh, the North Shore, and parts of the South Hills while Pittsburgh Regional Transit and its contractors work on two separate projects.
Both projects will begin at 11 p.m. Friday and end at the start of service on Monday morning.
Concrete repair work inside the tunnel between First Avenue and Steel Plaza stations will cause inbound rail service to end at First Avenue Station. Riders continuing to Steel Plaza, Wood Street, Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit light-rail vehicles at First Avenue Station and board a shuttle bus at the corner of First Avenue and Try Street. The shuttle will drop riders off outside Steel Plaza Station. From there, a rail car will operate to Allegheny Station, serving each station along the way.
Outbound rail service from the North Shore toward downtown will end at Steel Plaza. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit the rail car at Steel Plaza and board a shuttle bus along Grant Street. The shuttle bus will drop riders off outside First Avenue Station, where riders can proceed up to the platform and board outbound rail cars.
The installation of fiber optic support structures, also starting Friday night, will cause outbound Red Line vehicles to detour over the Blue Line between South Hills Junction and Washington Junction. Inbound service will not be affected.
Riders located between Allegheny Station and South Hills Junction and traveling to stations on the Red Line between South Hills Junction and Overbrook Junction should board any outbound rail car, disembark at Willow, and take an inbound Red Line rail car from Overbrook Junction to their destination.
A special late night rail shuttle will operate each night on the inbound tracks between Washington Junction and South Hills Junction, serving every station in between. On Friday night, the shuttle will operate until about 2 a.m. On Saturday night, the shuttle will operate until about 1:40 a.m. And on Sunday night, the shuttle will operate until 11:40 p.m.
During the Red Line detour, no buses will be permitted inside the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel and the South Busway will be closed from Whited to Station Square. All South Busway stops from Edgebrook to Station Square, including Pioneer and Dawn, will be out of service. Inbound buses will detour through Allentown. Outbound buses will use the Wabash Tunnel.
Riders should allow for at least one hour of additional travel time.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
January 18 - PRT Schedule Updates Go Into Effect Sunday, February 19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 18, 2023) – Schedules for more than 25 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be adjusted on Sunday, February 19.
Most routes will experience minor trip time adjustments. To streamline and condense schedules, some bus stops have been removed from the online and paper schedules, however, service is not affected and those stops will continue to be in service.
The 61A-North Braddock and 61B-Braddock-Swissvale will return to using the Fern Hollow Bridge.
Effective February 6, bus routes Y1-Large Flyer, Y46-Elizabeth Flyer, and 59-Mon Valley will no longer serve the Century III Mall Park and Ride lot due to the cancellation of the license agreement by mall management.
Riders of the Y1-Large Flyer, Y46-Elizabeth Flyer or 59-Mon Valley who had previously used the Century III Mall Park and Ride will need to board their buses from different stops. Riders heading to downtown Pittsburgh should instead board the Y1 from the Large Park and Ride, located at 219 Peters Creek Road in Jefferson Hills. Riders who use the Y46 can board on Rt. 51 at South Mall Entrance Drive (Stop #9607) or Rt. 51 opposite Century III Mall (Stop #20520). Riders who use the 59-Mon Valley should board at South Mall Entrance Drive at PNC Driveway (Stop #9401).
Alternate park and ride lots can be found at www.ridePRT.org/park-and-ride-lots/park-and-rides/
Riders are reminded to check their schedules before heading out. For a complete list of changes, visit www.ridePRT.org/ServiceUpdates. Please contact Customer Service with any questions at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
January 13 - Repair Work to Disrupt Weekend Rail Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 13, 2023) – Concrete repair work in the tunnel between First Avenue and Steel Plaza stations will disrupt light rail service to the Central Business District and the North Shore this weekend.
Beginning at 11 p.m. Friday through the start of service on Monday morning, inbound rail service will end at First Avenue Station. Riders continuing inbound should exit light-rail vehicles at First Avenue Station and board a bus shuttle at First Avenue and Try Street. The bus shuttle will drop riders off at Steel Plaza Station. From there, a rail shuttle will operate to Allegheny Station on the North Shore.
Also during this time, outbound rail service from the North Shore toward the Central Business District will end at Steel Plaza. Riders continuing outbound to the South Hills should exit rail shuttles at Steel Plaza and board the bus shuttle outside the Grant Street exit (the pickup and drop-off location are the same). The shuttle bus will drop riders off at First Avenue and Try Street. From there, riders can board outbound rail cars at First Avenue Station.
No fares will be collected on the bus shuttle between First Avenue or the rail shuttle between Steel Plaza and the North Shore.
Riders should allow for at least 30 minutes of additional travel time.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
January 13 - PRT Service for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 12, 2023) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, January 16, 2023.
PRT's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
###
December 28 - PRT Service for New Year's Eve, New Year's Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 28, 2022) - Street closures downtown for Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2023 events will cause more than 20 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes to detour this weekend.
Some streets will close and bus routes will be detoured as early as noon on Saturday. Most other bus routes will be detoured at 4 p.m. with additional detours between 8 and 9 p.m. for the New Year's Eve parade.
Route-specific detour information can be found at www.rideprt.org/firstnight2023.
Detours on Saturday notwithstanding, buses and light rail vehicles will operate on regular schedules. Monongahela Incline replacement shuttles will continue to be in operation as the incline will remain closed until next month.
On Sunday, buses will return to their regular routing and follow regular Sunday schedules. Light-rail vehicles will operate on a special holiday schedule that can be found at www.rideprt.org/holidays. Customer Service representatives will be available Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
On Monday, buses and light-rail vehicles will return to their regular weekday schedules. Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. though PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
Riders with questions about the detours or holiday schedules are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat on our website, www.rideprt.org.
December 22 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Prepares for Winter Storm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 22, 2022) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit is closely monitoring the winter weather event expected to converge on our area tonight into tomorrow.
PRT crews will be out in advance of the storm to pretreat the busways and rail station platforms with salt.
Weather forecasters are predicting rain followed by fast-dropping temperatures. Because water on overhead power lines can turn to ice in minutes, rail cars, which draw their power from the overhead lines, will be equipped with sleet cutters to shave off any ice that forms on the lines.
Additionally, freezing temperatures can damage the rail, which could cause significant delays.
Buses can operate in most weather events depending on the condition of the roads. Buses will stay on main roads if smaller streets are impassable or too steep and slippery to safely navigate.
Depending on the severity of the storm, riders should expect delays and prepare for additional travel time.
Service updates will be posted on Twitter at @pghtransitalert.
Riders are also encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @pghtransitcare or live chat on our website www.rideprt.org.
December 21 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Announces Holiday Service Hours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 21, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced the following changes to service in observance of the upcoming holidays.
Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24)
- Buses and light-rail vehicles will operate on regular schedules.
- Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25)
- Buses will operate on Sunday schedules.
- Light-rail vehicles will operate on a special holiday schedule.
- PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
Monday, December 26
- Buses and light-rail vehicles will operate on regular schedules.
- Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
New Year’s Eve (Saturday, December 31)
- Buses and light-rail vehicles will operate on regular schedules.
- Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
New Year’s Day (Sunday, January 1)
- Buses will operate on Sunday schedules.
- Light-rail vehicles will operate on a special holiday schedule.
- PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
Monday, January 2
- Buses and light-rail vehicles will operate on regular weekday schedules.
- Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
The special holiday rail schedules for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day can be found at www.rideprt.org/holidays.
Riders with questions about the holiday schedules are encouraged to contact PRT Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat on our website, www.rideprt.org.
###
December 13 - Public comment period on BRT and related service changes opens Thursday, December 15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 12, 2022) – Public transit riders in Allegheny County are invited to provide feedback on service changes related to Pittsburgh Regional Transit's upcoming Downtown-Oakland-East End Bus Rapid Transit project.
Comments will be accepted beginning Thursday, December 15 through February 1, 2023.
The nearly $300 million BRT project will provide enhanced public transit service and better rider amenities along Fifth and Forbes avenues between downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland using dedicated bus lanes in both directions, improve safety with the addition of wider sidewalks and bike lanes, and upgrade existing infrastructure throughout the corridor. There will be 23 new transit stations constructed within the corridor.
The improvements are expected to reduce congestion, boost service reliability, and help unlock development opportunities.
In addition to major service changes directly associated with BRT routes, there will also be minor changes to an even greater number of routes. The changes are expected to go into effect as early as June 2023 to coincide with the first phase of construction.
To help riders better understand both the major and minor route changes, staff from PRT’s Planning & Service Development Department will provide an overview and answer questions at an online information session at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10 in advance of three public hearings to be held in-person at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and online/phone only at 6 p.m., all on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
Information about the project is also available at www.rideprt.org/brt.
Comments will be accepted online at www.rideprt.org/brt, by calling 412-566-5335 or via U.S. Mail to:
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
RE: BRT Service Changes Heinz 57 Center
345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
To sign up to attend the information session or to listen or to provide testimony at the hearings, visit www.rideprt.org/brt or call PRT Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
November 22 - PRT Service Information for Thanksgiving
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 22, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate modified service on Thursday, November 24, for Thanksgiving.
Buses will operate on Sunday schedules.
Red and Silver Line rail service will run every 40 minutes on a Thanksgiving schedule that can be found at www.rideprt.org/holidays. The Blue Line will not be in operation.
Customer service representatives will be available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Service Center and PRT's administrative offices will be closed.
All regular weekday service will resume on Friday, November 25.
###
November 18 - PRT Buses to Detour for Light Up Night Festivities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 18, 2022) – Nearly 50 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured on Saturday as Light Up Night returns to Downtown Pittsburgh.
Detours run throughout the weekend in parts of downtown and the North Shore, some beginning as early as Friday afternoon for staging of the event. Most routes will begin detouring on Saturday evening.
Starting Saturday, riders will be able to catch most detoured bus routes along Smithfield Street.
Two-car trains will operate on the Blue and Red lines, and additional trips will start around noon for riders heading downtown and the North Shore. The Monongahela Incline will remain closed, but shuttle buses will run between the lower and upper stations of the incline.
Due to the overwhelming popularity of Light Up Night and the University of Pittsburgh football game at Heinz Field at noon on Saturday, riders should allow for extra time when traveling. PRT plans to provide as much additional capacity as manpower and equipment allow.
For a full listing of the various detours, visit www.rideprt.org.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org. Customer Service representatives are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
###
November 17 - PRT Seeks Public Input on BRT-related Service Changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 17, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking the public’s input on planned service changes related to its upcoming Bus Rapid Transit project.
With construction on the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT project expected to begin next spring, PRT is seeking to implement some of the project’s service changes as early as June 2023 to help buses avoid getting caught in construction traffic.
The project’s changes will affect the 61D-Murray, 71A-Negley, 71C-Point Breeze, 71D-Hamilton, and P3-East Busway-Oakland. For specific information on how the changes will impact service to these routes, please visit www.rideprt.org/brt.
PRT will accept comments online, over the phone, and via U.S. Mail from 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2022, and through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
An informational session will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 to provide an overview of the proposed changes. Three public hearing sessions – two in-person and one online - will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2023.
November 17 - Supply Chain, Material Delivery Issues Delay Reopening of Monongahela Incline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 17, 2022) - Supply chain and material delivery issues will delay the reopening of the Monongahela Incline, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced today.
The historic funicular was originally expected to reopen in time for Light Up Night on Saturday. It is now expected to reopen before the end of the year. An exact date has not been set.
“We had been hopeful that we would open in time for Light Up Night, but over the last week it became increasingly clear that would not be possible,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “No one is more disappointed in this news than me.”
The Monongahela Incline has been closed since August 1 while contractors upgraded and modernized the control and electrical systems, refurbished the interiors of both the upper and lower stations, put on a new roof to the lower station, and have installed new color-changing LED track lighting.
“The team has been working around the clock to finish this project, yet there have been aspects that are simply out of our control, including the global supply chain and material delivery issues that have plagued so many capital projects throughout the country,” Kelleman said. “The Mon Incline is an iconic piece of Pittsburgh history, but it’s also a historic transit vehicle that requires regular maintenance and upgrades. Completing this project is vital to its future operation.”
Due to the expected increased demand for Light Up Night, PRT will have additional shuttle buses operating between the lower station and the upper station of the Monongahela Incline. Additional service will depend on operator availability.
###
November 17 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 Reach Four-Year Agreement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 17, 2022) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board today approved a four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 that includes wage increases, pandemic bonuses, and changes to work and discipline rules.
The union, which represents 2,200 drivers, mechanics, and other laborers, ratified the agreement on Sunday.
“Our employees are the backbone of this agency, and we could not fulfill our mission of serving the people of Allegheny County without them,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “I believe this is a fair agreement that shows deference to our employees’ hard work, allows us to attract and retain employees, provide better service to our riders, and ensure long-term stability in our system.”
Negotiations for the new CBA began in fall 2021. The previous two-year agreement expired on June 30, 2022.
The new contract includes wage increases totaling 12.75% over four years, increasing the starting wage for a new operator to nearly $25 an hour and the top rate to more than $38 an hour, keeping PRT employees among the highest paid transit workers in the nation.
The CBA includes bonuses of $1 per hour, up to $4,000, based on hours union employees worked between March 2020 and June 2021, the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The agreement also reduces the number of schedule adjustments each year, providing transit planners more time to analyze ridership trends so they can make more informed scheduling decisions.
###
November 10 - Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel Repairs Come to an End
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 10, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light-rail vehicles will resume regular operations through the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel on Saturday for the first time since a $14.1 million electrical system upgrade project began more than two years ago.
The 3,500-foot tunnel has been closed nearly every night since the project began in July 2020. Bus routes 39, 40, 41, 44, Y46, Y47, and Y49, have been detouring through the city’s Allentown neighborhood after 8 p.m.
Some of the improvements include:
- - Replacement of 324 lighting fixtures
- - Replacement of all conduits, junction boxes, and power cables
- - Replacement of the 1,600-amp redundant power supply
- - Replacement of the emergency phone system, including conduits, phone cables, and emergency blue light markers
- - Replacement of the fiber optic communication lines
- - A new ventilation fan power and communication conduits, junction boxes, and power connections for 11 ventilation fans
- - New lighting control cabinets
- - New emergency strobe lights at each end of the tunnel
The Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel was originally built in 1904. It runs under Mt. Washington and Beltzhoover, and is the only tunnel in the United States shared by bus and rail service.
###
November 7 - PRT to Operate Regular Weekday Service on Veterans Day; Administrative Offices Closed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 7, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate regular weekday service on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2022.
PRT’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday. Customer Service representatives will be available regular weekday hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Customers with questions about any PRT services are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or live chat at www.rideprt.org.
###
October 27 - Construction Activity to Disrupt Light Rail Service This Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 27, 2022) – For the second weekend in a row, concrete repair work in the tunnel between First Avenue and Steel Plaza stations will disrupt light rail service to the Central Business District and the North Shore.
Riders should allow for additional travel time from 8 p.m. Friday through the start of regularly scheduled service on Monday morning.
Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, inbound rail service will end at First Avenue Station. Riders continuing inbound should exit light-rail vehicles at First Avenue Station and board a bus shuttle at First Avenue and Try Street. The bus shuttle will drop riders off at Steel Plaza Station. From there, a rail shuttle will operate to Allegheny Station on the North Shore.
Outbound rail service will end at Steel Plaza. Riders continuing outbound should exit rail shuttles at Steel Plaza and board the bus shuttle outside the Grant Street exit (the pickup and drop-off location are the same). The shuttle bus will drop riders off at First Avenue and Try Street. From there, riders can board outbound rail cars at First Avenue Station.
Signs will be posted at each location.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
October 21 - Quarterly Service Adjustments Go Into Effect Nov. 21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 21, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will reduce service by nearly 2% to improve service reliability beginning Sunday, November 20.
The change amounts to an overall reduction of 488 hours a week. PRT currently operates 27,400 total hours each week.
Routing changes will be built into the schedules of the 59-Mon Valley, P7-McKeesport Flyer, P71-Swissvale Flyer, and the 71-Edgewood Town Center due to the long-term closure of the Washington Avenue Bridge in Swissvale.
Updated schedules can be found at www.rideprt.org/serviceupdates.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
###
October 19 - Construction Activity To Disrupt Light Rail Service This Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 19, 2022) – Concrete repair work in the tunnel between First Avenue and Steel Plaza stations will disrupt light rail service to the Central Business District and the North Shore this weekend.
Riders should allow for additional travel time from 8 p.m. Friday through the weekend. The work will be completed by the start of regularly scheduled service on Monday morning.
Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, inbound rail service will end at First Avenue Station. Riders continuing inbound should exit light-rail vehicles at First Avenue Station and board a bus shuttle at First Avenue and Try Street. The bus shuttle will drop riders off at Steel Plaza Station. From there, a rail shuttle will operate to Allegheny Station on the North Shore.
Outbound rail service will end at Steel Plaza. Riders continuing outbound should exit rail shuttles at Steel Plaza and board the bus shuttle outside the Grant Street exit (the pickup and drop-off location are the same). The shuttle bus will drop riders off at First Avenue and Try Street. From there, riders can board outbound rail cars at First Avenue Station.
Signs will be posted at each location.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000 on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.ridePRT.org.
September 7 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Announces Plan to Transition to a Zero-Emission Bus Fleet by 2045
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 7, 2022) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit today announced its plan to transition to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2045.
“Over the last decade, whether at the county or in county agencies, we have focused on working collaboratively and strategically to reduce our impact on the community and environment. This announcement by Pittsburgh Regional Transit is the latest investment in a more sustainable county,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Congratulations to Katharine and her entire team on this visionary approach to transit, and for taking proactive steps that will improve your operations, the health of those who call our community home, and our county itself.”
Pittsburgh Regional Transit will begin to increase its replacement of diesel buses with zero-emissions buses beginning in 2025 and will only purchase zero-emissions buses after 2032. The agency expects to spend an estimated $1 billion over the next 20 years on the transition. A full report will be presented to PRT’s Board later this month.
“We recognize our responsibility to move as quickly as possible to replace our fleet with zero-emissions vehicles to improve the health, safety, and welfare of the communities we serve," said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. "This investment in our system touches upon so many of the values that will propel our region toward a more equitable and sustainable future."
Transitioning to a zero-emissions bus fleet will greatly improve the region's overall air quality while continuing to provide riders with reliable and efficient service. Although riding public transportation is significantly better for the environment than driving in a personal vehicle – even when it's powered by a diesel-powered engine – PRT projects that transitioning to a zero-emissions fleet will even further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“In Allegheny County, emissions from vehicles, like buses, contribute to air pollution and the quality of air we breathe,” explained Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen. “We anticipate that PRT replacing its current buses with a zero-emission fleet will have a positive effect on the area’s air quality and health.”
Zero-emissions vehicles have grown in popularity in recent years. PRT put its first two battery-electric buses in service in 2020 and followed up with six battery-electric buses in 2021. PRT’s Board recently approved funding for another 15 battery-electric buses that will operate on the future Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bus Rapid Transit project. PRT has a fleet of 730 buses.
“Congratulations to Pittsburgh Regional Transit for this bold commitment to reducing emissions on such an impressive scale. Decisions like this benefit all Pittsburghers across the region, including frequent riders like myself,” said Anna J. Siefken, U.S. C3E Ambassador and Commercialization Executive, Office of Technology Transitions, U.S. Department of Energy.
PRT's commitment to shift 100% of its fleet to zero-emissions vehicles by 2045 puts it in line with other transit agencies across the country.
“Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s plan for a zero-emission bus fleet is an exciting and critical step toward a more sustainable Pittsburgh region, with benefits to health and climate,” said Joylette Portlock, Ph.D., Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh. “This is leadership in action.”
While PRT plans to deploy battery-electric buses in the initial years of the transition, the agency will continue to evaluate developments in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and other technologies. This approach will enable PRT to purchase the newest, smartest technology as advancements develop in this rapidly evolving field and gives the agency time to install infrastructure – such as charging stations – and train employees to operate and maintain this technology.
“We cannot underestimate the impact our built environment and related infrastructure have on public health and social equity,” said Jenna Cramer, executive director of Green Building Alliance. “We are excited to see this investment from PRT, which will improve quality of life for residents thanks to more equitable access to clean transportation and improved air quality.”
The transition to a zero-emissions fleet will include retrofitting each of PRT’s four bus garages and maintenance facility and training its workforce of 1,400 bus operators and 800 mechanics on the new technology.
Non-revenue vehicles, charging infrastructure, and facility upgrades required to support a zero-emission fleet will be an additional cost.
“On behalf of CMU’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, we could not be more excited and supportive of PRT’s commitment to a sustainable, clean energy future,” said Dr. Jay Whitacre, director of the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University.
Duquesne Light Company, which has been a key partner for PRT in making electric public transportation more accessible, provided the high-powered charging infrastructure to support the agency’s first eight electric buses at the agency’s bus garage in East Liberty.
“Part of DLC’s commitment to ensuring a clean energy future for the Pittsburgh region is to give everyone a chance to experience the benefits of electric mobility,” said Kevin Walker, president and CEO of DLC. “In recent years, DLC has made significant investments in charging infrastructure to support the region’s first eight electric buses. We look forward to furthering our partnership with Pittsburgh Regional Transit as we strive to make electric mobility even more accessible and equitable for our customers and communities.”
Electric buses cost about 60% more than their diesel counterparts, with the average cost of a 40-foot electric bus being approximately $950,000.
Federal funding is expected to be used to make up the difference in cost for the vehicles, employee training, and charging infrastructure.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Public Relations Director
412-566-5157 (Office)
412-770-7150 (Cell)
September 1 - PRT to Operate on Sunday Schedules in Observance of Labor Day
Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and light rail service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, September 5, in observance of Labor Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PRT's Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
As a reminder, trip times for nearly 40 bus routes will change when quarterly service adjustments go into effect on Sunday, September 4.
Riders are reminded to check their schedules before heading out. For a complete list of changes, visit www.rideprt.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.RidePRT.org.
August 18 - PRT Seeking Public Input for New Downtown Bus Routing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 18, 2022) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking the public’s input to help reimagine how buses traverse downtown Pittsburgh.
During the planning phase for this process, entitled NEXTransit Downtown, PRT will use the public’s input to identify needs and opportunities for downtown residents, riders commuting into downtown, and those transferring downtown. The next phase will be to develop updated routing concepts before presenting a proposal to the public for final review.Implementation of the new plan would begin in phases in 2023.
Currently, about 90% of PRT’s bus routes travel to downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the turns that often slow buses down and reduce their on-time performance, the forthcoming BRT project — which is expected to begin construction next spring — will impact nearly half of these bus routes.
NEXTransit Downtown aims to improve safety, ease of movement, efficiency, and reliability of PRT buses while maintaining accessibility and upgrading rider amenities.
Visit www.NEXTransit.network/downtown for more information and to sign up for the meetings, which will be held online on Tuesday, August 23rd at 5 p.m. and on Thursday, August 25th at noon.
Riders who are unable to attend either meeting are encouraged to provide input at the web address above or at one of several pop-up events being held downtown in late August and September.
Location |
Date |
Time |
---|---|---|
Liberty Avenue at Wyndham Hotel |
August 30 |
1 p.m. |
Sixth Avenue at Smithfield Street (Trinity Cathedral) |
August 30 |
3 p.m. |
Stanwix at Fourth Avenue |
September 1 |
8 a.m. |
Farmers Market - Market Square |
September 1 |
10 a.m. |
Liberty Avenue at 7th Street (Wood Street Station) |
September 7 |
11am-2pm |
7th Street at Penn Avenue (Agnes Katz Plaza) |
September 7 |
2:30 p.m. |
Smithfield Street at Fifth Avenue (Target) |
September 13 |
11 a.m. |
1 Smithfield Street (Allegheny County Human Services) |
September 13 |
3 p.m. |
NEXTransit Downtown will be a precursor to a system-wide bus network redesign, the planning for which is expected to start in summer 2023.
###
August 18 - PRT Launches Planning Effort to Add Station(s) on the East Busway, Reconfigure Wilkinsburg Station
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 18, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit is launching Building on the East Busway (BOTEB), a planning effort to evaluate and design additional stations, and re-design Wilkinsburg Station along the Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway.
This effort includes planning for three new stations along the busway – Baum-Centre, Larimer, and Brushton; developing a station area plan for the existing Wilkinsburg Station that will explore opportunities to improve station access and design; and identifying opportunities for equitable transit-oriented development on PRT-owned property.
“The East Busway is a tremendous community and regional asset that has allowed us to provide fast, frequent, and reliable service for more than 40 years," said Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Chief Development Officer David Huffaker. "We're excited to explore the potential of bringing that service to even more people."
PRT is currently seeking input for the Wilkinsburg and Brushton station areas, and will host two public meetings to discuss existing conditions. Both meetings will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. The first meeting will be held online from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second meeting will be held in person from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg.
Designs for the infill stations and the potential new station in Wilkinsburg are expected to be complete by summer 2023. Public engagement will continue throughout the planning process.
In June 2020, Federal Transit Administration awarded PRT $682,500 – and PRT matched $227,500 – to conduct a transit-oriented development study along the busway between Oakland and Wilkinsburg.
In February 2022, PRT received $5.4 million to help build a new transportation center in Wilkinsburg. The total cost of that project is expected to be about $8 million.
For more information or to sign up to attend the upcoming public meetings, visit www.rideprt.org/BOTEB.
August 4 - PRT to Close a Portion of Grandview Avenue, Wyoming Streets for Crane Lift
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 4, 2022) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will close a portion of Grandview Avenue near Wyoming Street in Mt. Washington on Tuesday, August 9, while a crane removes a generator and a fuel tank next to the Upper Station of the Monongahela Incline.
Grandview Avenue will be closed from Shiloh to Wyoming streets, and Wyoming will be closed from Grandview Avenue to East Sycamore Street from 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Should crews be unable to perform the work due to weather, the streets will be closed during the same time on Wednesday, August 10.
Driveway access will be maintained for the apartment building(s) in the vicinity. No changes to the routing of the Monongahela Incline shuttle buses will be required.
The work is part of the Monongahela Incline rehabilitation project, which began Monday.
###
August 2 - PRT Announces Quarterly Service Adjustments for September
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 2, 2022) – Trip times for nearly 40 Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will change when quarterly service adjustments go into effect on Sunday, September 4.
Although most routes will experience only minor time changes, two new trips will be added to the inbound weekday schedules for the 67-Monroeville, and the short outbound trips on that route will be extended to the Monroeville Mall. Four weekday trips will be added to the 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood.
Two park and ride lots, the Holiday Park VFD Park and Ride and the Knights of Columbus Park, will be closed due to the expiration of contracts with property owners, low ridership, and alternative park and ride locations nearby. A complete list of park and ride lots can be found at www.ridePRT.org/park-and-ride-lots/park-and-rides/.
Finally, some timetables will be combined, including the 74-Homewood Squirrel Hill and the 89-Garfield. The 86-Liberty, 87-Friendship, and 88-Penn will also appear on the same schedules.
Riders are reminded to check their schedules before heading out. For a complete list of changes, visit www.PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
July 29 - Several Bus Routes Affected by Construction, Events This Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 29, 2022) – Several Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes will be detoured this weekend to accommodate community events and construction activities.
Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight through 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 31, a portion of the South Busway will be closed in the area of the Palm Garden Bridge while crews apply a protective epoxy on the bridge’s surface.
Riders of the 39-Brookline can board buses at the Palm Garden Ramp at the South Busway inbound and at the Palm Garden Ramp at Warrington Avenue outbound. Riders of the 41-Bower Hill can board buses at West Liberty opposite the South Busway Stop inbound and at the Palm Garden Ramp at Warrington Avenue outbound.
Beginning at 5 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, a portion of the East Busway between the Neville Ramp and East Liberty Station will be closed for construction until 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 31. While East Liberty Station will remain open, Negley Station will be out of service.
Riders of the P1-East Busway-All Stops and P68-Braddock Hills Flyer can catch buses at Ellsworth at Negley (stop 8246) inbound and Ellsworth at Negley (stop 8265) outbound.
Finally, 12 bus routes will be detoured from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 in portions of East Liberty, Larimer, and Homewood-Brushton for OpenStreetsPGH.
The affected routes include the 28X-Airport Flyer, 64-Lawrenceville-Waterfront, 71B-Highland Park, 7C-Point Breeze, 71D-Hamilton, 74-Homewood-Squirrel Hill, 75-Ellsworth, 77-Penn Hills, 82-Lincoln, 86-Liberty, 88-Penn, and 89-Garfield Commons.
Alternate stops and service information for each of these routes can be found at www.ridePRT.org > detours.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call Pittsburgh Regional Transit Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or 412-231-7007 for TTY. Customer Service representatives are available weekdays 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
###
July 29 - Wabash Tunnel temporary direction modification beginning Monday, August 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 29, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will modify the direction of traffic inside the Wabash Tunnel to accommodate shuttle buses associated with the Monongahela Incline rehabilitation project beginning Monday, August 1.
The tunnel will be open in the outbound direction on weekdays and weekends for the duration of the four-month project.
It is usually open in the inbound direction from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and in the outbound direction from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends.
The Wabash Tunnel is used as a shortcut for motorists from Route 51 to the South Side and downtown Pittsburgh. PRT took over ownership and operation of the tunnel in 1970.
The $8.2 million Mon Incline rehabilitation project will include mechanical and electrical
updates to the 152-year old funicular in addition to upgraded interiors of the upper and
lower stations, and new exterior lighting.
To accommodate riders traveling between East Carson Street and Mt. Washington,
PRT will operate shuttle buses every 30 minutes. Trips have also been added to the 40-
Mount Washington.
Additional information about the project and any updates during construction will be
posted at www.PortAuthority.org/InclineRehab.
###
July 25 - Portion of Inbound Red Line To Be Closed Tuesday for Emergency Repairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 25, 2022) – To accommodate emergency repairs on the Red Line, the inbound tracks between Palm Garden and Castle Shannon light-rail stations will be closed beginning at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
All riders traveling inbound from Palm Garden, Dawn, Fallowfield, Hampshire, Belasco, Shiras, Stevenson, Potomac, Dormont Junction, Mt. Lebanon, Poplar, Arlington, and Castle Shannon light-rail stations should use the outbound platform to take an outbound rail shuttle to St. Anne's or (for individuals with mobility devices) Washington Junction and transfer to a Red Line, Blue Line or Silver Line rail car, all of which will be operating via the Blue Line tracks. The outbound rail shuttle will be free.
Riders traveling inbound from stations south of Washington Junction (Casswell, Highland, Bethel Village, Dorchester, and South Hills Village) may experience limited delays with all vehicles traveling inbound via the Blue Line.
Those traveling from South Hills Village, Dorchester, Bethel Village, Highland, or Casswell to a station within the construction area will need to take any inbound rail car and transfer to an outbound Red Line car at South Hills Junction.
The repairs will not impact any of the bus routes that use the Palm Garden Bridge or the South Busway.
PRT crews will be repairing approximately 46 feet of rail and an expansion joint where two breaks were recently discovered. The inbound tracks of the Red Line are expected to reopen Thursday afternoon barring any unforeseen issues.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call Pittsburgh Regional Transit Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or 412-231-7007 for TTY. Customer Service representatives are available weekdays 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
###
July 22 - North Shore Connector to be Closed Saturday Morning Through Tuesday Evening
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 22, 2022) - To allow contractors to install ground monitoring equipment related to a future construction project, the North Shore Connector will be closed from Saturday morning through Tuesday night.
Shuttle buses will operate about every 20 minutes from Gateway Station to both North Side and Allegheny stations, however shuttle frequency will depend on employee availability. (A map showing the shuttle bus routing is below for your convenience).
The light rail system will operate regular service from Gateway Station to the South Hills.
Riders attending events on the North Shore should allow for additional travel time.
Riders with questions about service are encouraged to call Pittsburgh Regional Transit Customer Service at 412-442-2000. Customer Service representatives are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
###
July 21 - PRT to Host Two BRT Meetings in August
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 21, 2022) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will host two public meetings next month to provide updates on the upcoming Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bus Rapid Transit project.
The $291 million project will include 24 new stations, increased transit reliability, and increased pedestrian and bicyclist safety with the construction of dedicated bus and bike lanes between the second- and third-largest business districts in Pennsylvania.
A request for proposals for the construction phase in downtown Pittsburgh is expected to be issued later this year with construction beginning in the first half of 2023. An RFP for the second phase – Uptown and Oakland – is expected to be issued in 2023, with construction on that phase beginning in 2024.
The meetings will be held on Tuesday, August 2 at 6 p.m. and Thursday, August 11 at noon.
To sign up for one of the meetings or for additional project information, visit www.rideprt.org/brt.
###
July 7 - Mon Incline to be Closed for Rehabilitation Project Beginning August 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - A four-month rehabilitation project at the Monongahela Incline will modernize the mechanical controls and electrical systems and upgrade the interiors of the upper and lower stations, among other updates. Pittsburgh Regional Transit and its contractors will begin mobilizing this month.
The incline will be out of service from August 1 through mid-November.
The $8.2 million project includes updating the incline’s mechanical, control, and electrical systems, and painting the bridge structure.
Contractors will be working up to seven days a week in different areas of the incline on
alternating shifts. Depending on the task, weather, and coordination, some interior work may occur overnight.
Shuttle buses will run every 30 minutes for the duration of the project to provide access between the upper and lower incline stations.
On weekdays and Saturdays, the first trip will leave the upper station at 5:30 a.m. and the last trip will leave Station Square at 12:30 a.m. On Sundays, the first trip will leave the upper station at 8:30 a.m. and the last trip will leave Station Square at midnight. Service frequency depends on operator availability.
PRT has added trips to the 40-Mount Washington to provide additional service.
Updates will be posted at www.PortAuthority.org/InclineRehab.
July 6 - PRT to Begin South Busway Rehabilitation Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 6, 2022) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit will begin a $6.7 million rehabilitation project this week on a two-mile stretch of the South Busway between the Pioneer Avenue Ramp and South Bank Station, spanning Pittsburgh’s Brookline and Overbrook neighborhoods.
The project includes paving, concrete repairs, constructing new accessible ramps, reconstructing curbs, and repainting the railroad bridge near South Bank Station. This portion of the South Busway dates to 1977.
The South Busway will be closed between Whited and Pioneer at 8 p.m. Friday, July 8 through 4 a.m. Monday, July 11. After July 11, buses using the South Busway will experience alternating single-lane restrictions between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. A portion of the South Busway will be closed for paving a few weekends throughout the duration of the project.
Temporary bus stops have been established along Route 51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard) adjacent to the existing South Busway stations for use during the weekend closures. Construction is not expected to be disruptive to residents or businesses.
This first phase of the project is expected to be complete by November 2022. The entire project is expected be completed by fall of 2023.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call PRT customer Service at 412-442-2000. Customer Service is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends and holidays.
###
June 29 - PRT Service for July 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate modified service on Monday, July 4, for Independence Day.
Buses will operate on Sunday schedules. The light rail system will operate on special holiday schedules that can be found at www.portauthority.org/holidays.
Due to anticipated high ridership at the Monongahela Incline, PRT will attempt to provide shuttle buses to transport riders up to Mt. Washington. Shuttle bus service will depend on employee availability.
Since downtown road closures are still being finalized, riders are encouraged to allow for additional travel time and to check www.portauthority.org/detours before heading out.
PRT Customer Service will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call PRT Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or 412-231-7007 for TTY.
###
June 24 - Pittsburgh Regional Transit Board Approves FY2023 Operating and Capital Budgets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 24, 2022) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board on Friday approved the agency’s Fiscal Year 2023 operating and capital budgets.
The operating budget totals $519 million, of which $310 million comes from state operating grants, Allegheny County, and the Regional Asset District; and $68 million in passenger fares, advertising, and other income.
The operating budget is 5.1% higher than FY22. It calls for no layoffs or fare increases but assumes a 15% increase in passenger revenues over last fiscal year in anticipation of modest ridership gains.
The operating budget is balanced using $96 million in federal stimulus money.
PRT’s $233 million FY23 capital budget includes $18.6 million in debt service; $96 million to purchase 107 new 60-foot buses; and more than $100 million in fixed guideway improvements, including the start of construction on the forthcoming Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bus Rapid Transit system.
June 16 - PRT Service for Juneteenth Holiday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 16, 2022) – Riders taking Pittsburgh Regional Transit on Saturday are encouraged to allow for additional travel time as detours for several events related to the Juneteenth holiday are expected to create delays in Downtown Pittsburgh and adjacent neighborhoods.
A complete list of detoured routes is available at www.portauthority.org/detours/
PRT will operate regular service schedules and maintain normal Customer Service hours throughout the weekend. Customer Service representatives will be available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Service Center is closed on Sundays.
PRT service will also operate regular weekday service schedules on Monday, June 20. Customer Service representatives will be available regular weekday hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the Downtown Service Center will be open regular weekday hours, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
###
June 9 - Port Authority Rebrands as Pittsburgh Regional Transit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Port Authority of Allegheny County is now Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), a name and brand that better reflects the services, values, and location of who we are and what we do every day.
The new brand reflects a more modern transit agency that aims to improve and simplify public transportation in our region. The name PRT - pronounced "part" - indicates where we operate and the services we provide.
"For decades, the name Port Authority has led people to jokingly ask where the boats are, so to have a name and brand that reflects the agency and its work is significant. In Katharine's short tenure with the now Pittsburgh Regional Transit, the team has embraced technology, sought innovative ways to transform their services, and continues to look for ways to serve the greater community. Now, the name reflects that same vision for our future."
Board Chair Jeffrey W. Letwin called the rebrand a “monumental day in the history of the organization.”
“This is more than just a new name and a new look. This marks the start of a new era and a new direction for our agency and our region,” Letwin said.
Today’s announcement is the culmination of several years of work. The rebranding process began in 2018 and included gathering input from a wide range of employees, riders, and external stakeholders. Although the effort was put on hold at the start of the pandemic, it was revisited late last year to ensure the input they provided still rang true.
“Our new name acknowledges that we’re not just part of the community; the community is a part of us,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Our goal moving forward is to be a reflection of our incredible, vibrant community."
Public information and materials such as schedules, brochures, the website, and signage will be redesigned in various stages consistent with the PRT brand over the next year. Vehicles will initially receive decals and a wholly new design as they are purchased.
May 27 - Port Authority Board Rewards CEO Katharine Kelleman with Four-Year Contract Extension
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 27, 2022) - Port Authority of Allegheny County's Board today voted unanimously to extend the contract of CEO Katharine Kelleman for four years, through 2025.
"Katharine has exceeded our expectations in the time she's been at Port Authority," said Port Authority Board Chair Jeff Letwin. "Not only has she established a vision for public transportation and implemented a long list of improvements that benefit riders and employees, but she has also become a vital part of this community as it charts its future beyond the pandemic."
Kelleman joined Port Authority as CEO in February 2018. Under her leadership, the agency saw its highest ridership totals in more than a decade before the Covid-19 pandemic derailed that growth.
Through the pandemic, the agency has been able to continue to provide transit service without any layoffs.
Also during Kelleman’s tenure, Port Authority adopted its first long-range transportation plan, implemented its mobile ticketing application and a new customer-friendly fare policy, and removed employment barriers by implementing Ban the Box.
Her new contract expires in December 2025. Her base salary will be $269,500 a year, a 5% increase over her previous contract. It also includes 5% annual raises and the opportunity for annual performance bonuses of up to 20% of her salary.
"I am grateful to the Board for their continued support," Kelleman said. "We've accomplished a great deal already and I'm looking forward to so much more in the years ahead."
###
May 25 - Service Information for Memorial Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 25, 2022) – Port Authority bus and light-rail service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.
Port Authority’s Customer Service will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
The agency’s administrative offices and Customer Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday.
For more information or to find information about schedules or service, please contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransit, or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
May 23 - Port Authority to Test Red Line, Prepare for Possible Tuesday Reopening
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 23, 2022) - Port Authority of Allegheny County will begin testing light-rail vehicles on the reconstructed Red Line after regularly scheduled service ends tonight. If testing is successful, the Red Line could reopen as early as Tuesday.
Light-rail vehicles have been unable to use a portion of the Red Line since February 4, when the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge unexpectedly shifted after water seeped into the concrete support structure and froze during a winter storm.
While the repairs were ongoing, Port Authority expedited two capital projects that would have required the closure of the Red Line later this year. That work included repairing portions of Fallowfield Station in Pittsburgh's Beechview neighborhood and replacing several sections of light-rail tracks nearby.
Once repairs were complete to the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge, buses returned to using the span on May 14. The additional track work, however, prevented light-rail cars from doing the same.
Port Authority will notify the public if the Red Line is able to reopen on Tuesday. Shuttles will remain on standby in case testing is not successful.
For more information, Port Authority's Customer Service team is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
May 19 - A Portion of the East Busway Will Be Closed on Saturday, May 21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 19, 2022) – A portion of the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway will be closed from the start of service until about 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 for milling, paving, and striping.
All stations will continue to be served by their regular bus routes except for Negley Station in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood. Riders who typically board or disembark buses at Negley Station should instead use inbound Ellsworth Avenue at Negley Avenue (stop #8246), or outbound Ellsworth Avenue at Negley Avenue (stop # 8265).
Delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected on all bus routes that use the East Busway.
In the event of adverse weather, the work will be performed on Saturday, May 28.
Turner Construction, which has been using a portion of the busway for a recently completed project nearby, is responsible for the work.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
(An image can be found on the PDF below)
###
May 19 - More than 60 Schedules to Be Updated in June
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 19, 2022) – More reliable service and fewer canceled trips are the focus of Port Authority’s quarterly service changes that go into effect on June 26.
Overall, Port Authority will modify 61 schedules and reduce service by about 4%. The changes are based on current ridership and operator availability.
Specific changes include the extension of 69-Trafford service to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, and the incorporation of the Fern Hollow Bridge detour into schedules for routes 61A-North Braddock and 61B-Braddock-Swissvale.
Also, effective June 26, the 38-Green Tree “C” variant will be eliminated due to low ridership. All 38C trips will be converted to 38G trips.
The 29-Robinson, unable to serve Mahoney Road due to the weight limit of a culvert near the intersection of Mahoney Road and Cliff Mine Road, will instead use Cliff Mine Road to travel to and from Steubenville Pike.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
May 13 - Saw Mill Run Blvd. Bridge Expected to Reopen To Buses on Saturday, Light-Rail Vehicles to Remain on Detour
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 13, 2022) – Port Authority buses will return to using the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge on Saturday, May 14, pending successful tests of the light-rail tracks embedded within the bridge, Port Authority of Allegheny County announced today.
Buses that use the South Busway will resume using the bridge as soon as it is reopened.
Light-rail vehicles are expected to return to using the bridge by the end of the month, after track work at Fallowfield Station in Beechview is completed. That work began on May 3.
In the meantime, Port Authority will continue to operate a rail shuttle between Overbrook Junction and Potomac Station and a bus shuttle between Potomac Station and Station Square. The frequency of the shuttles is dependent upon employee availability.
The Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge has been closed to both bus and light-rail traffic since February 4, when the bridge unexpectedly shifted after water in the concrete support structure froze during a winter storm.
Over the past three months, crews have repositioned the section of the bridge that shifted, and installed new supports, anchor bolts, rail joints, and bearings.
For more information about service issues, Port Authority's Customer Service team is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
April 29 - Port Authority is replacing a section light rail track near Fallowfield Station in Beechview
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 29, 2022) – Port Authority is replacing a section light rail track near Fallowfield Station in Beechview.
The contractor, Railworks Track Services, LLC. Will be working seven days a week from 6am-8pm, beginning Tuesday, May 3.
Work includes replacing several feet of light rail track, ties, and ballast. There will be no impact to customers as the station is currently out of service due to the closure of the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge.
The project is expected to cost $375,000.
Work is expected to be completed in about two weeks.
###
April 28 - Port Authority Weekend Service Information for Pittsburgh Marathon Events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 28, 2022) - Port Authority bus service will be extensively detoured this weekend for the 2022 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and related events.
Friday, April 29
Buses will begin detouring about noon with the closure of Boulevard of the Allies, which will be closed between Wood and Stanwix streets. This section of Boulevard of the Allies will remain closed through the evening of Sunday, May 1.
Saturday, April 30
Additional detours will begin about 7:15 a.m. and continue through about 12:30 p.m. in the North Side and Downtown areas. Other detours will continue throughout the day for related events and marathon set-up.
All buses serving Downtown will pick up and drop off on Smithfield Street between Sixth and Fifth avenues.
Sunday, May 1
Detours will begin at the start of service. Most detours will end around about 3:30 p.m., with some continuing until about 7 p.m.
In Downtown Pittsburgh, all buses will drop off passengers at the East Busway’s Penn Station Stop B and pick up passengers at Penn Station Stop C. The P1 and P2 will pick up and drop off at Penn Station Stop A.
Due to marathon road closures, the 61-series buses will be unable to serve Oakland. Additionally, the 89-Garfield Commons will not operate until roads reopen.
The Wabash Tunnel will be closed to traffic until noon, when it will resume regular outbound operation.
A full list of weekend detours can be found at www.PortAuthority.org/PghMarathon2022
Important Information
In previous years, Port Authority has provided extra service to assist runners and spectators traveling to the marathon start line and to connect to detoured buses. Due to current staffing and hiring challenges, unfortunately this extra service cannot be guaranteed.
We encourage riders traveling to the marathon and related events prior to the start of regularly scheduled Sunday service to consider alternate transportation if necessary and to allow for additional travel time.
TrueTime vehicle tracking will not be reliably available on buses that are detoured. Additionally, due to the enormity of the detours and their continuously changing nature, signs will not be posted at bus stops.
Port Authority strongly recommends that marathon participants and spectators purchase fares in advance to decrease travel times and avoid long lines at ConnectCard machines. For more information visit www.PortAuthority.org/Fares.
Due to the closure of the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge, Red Line rail cars continue to travel over the Blue Line. Port Authority is operating a rail shuttle between Overbrook Junction and Potomac Station and a bus shuttle between Potomac Station and Station Square.
Riders should be aware that due to road closures, on Sunday, May 1, the Red Line bus shuttle will operate between Potomac Station and South Hills Junction, and will be unable to serve Station Square until roads reopen.
Customers with questions can contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
April 5 - Saw Mill Run Blvd Bridge Expected to Reopen by the End of May
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 5, 2022) - Repairs to the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge are expected to be complete by the end of May barring any unforeseen issues.
The 1,052-foot span, which carries buses and light rail vehicles over Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Pittsburgh's Mt. Washington neighborhood, has been closed since February 4, when the bridge unexpectedly shifted after water in the concrete support structure froze during a winter storm.
Crews have installed temporary supports, and are readying the bridge for new anchor bolts, rail joints, and bearings to be installed next week.
Port Authority continues to operate a rail shuttle between Overbrook Junction and Potomac Station and a bus shuttle between Potomac Station and Station Square. The frequency of the shuttles is dependent upon employee availability.
For more information about service issues, Port Authority's Customer Service team is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
March 24 - Port Authority Announces Quarterly Service Changes for April
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 24, 2022) – Port Authority is excited to announce the return of two bus routes to downtown Pittsburgh effective with the agency’s quarterly service changes on April 24.
The P2-East Busway Short, which has been terminating at Penn Station on the East Busway since June, will resume serving stops in downtown Pittsburgh.
Additionally, the 69-Trafford, which has been operating between Trafford and Wilkinsburg, will once again resume service to downtown Pittsburgh via Wilkinsburg, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, Oakland, and Uptown. Frequency on the 67-Monroeville, which follows the same route, will be reduced.
Also beginning on April 24, weekend 2-Mount Royal service will mirror its weekday service via East Ohio Street in the North Side.
To accommodate additional commuters to Pittsburgh International Airport during ongoing airport construction, a new variant of the 28X-Airport Flyer, the 28X-Airport Flyer Direct, will provide one outbound trip to the airport in the morning and one inbound trip from the airport in the afternoon. The 28X-Airport Flyer Direct will bypass Robinson Town Centre.
Riders are reminded to check their schedules, as some trip times have been modified.
For a complete list of changes, visit www.PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
March 20 - Free Fares to Continue for Another Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 20, 2022) – Free fares on all Port Authority vehicles will continue through the end of service next Sunday, March 27.
“As many of us have experienced over the last week, service reliability remains an ongoing issue,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Fortunately, it has already begun to improve as more and more employees get vaccinated and become eligible to return to work.”
Employees who show proof that they are fully vaccinated are permitted to return to work for their next scheduled shift. Additionally, it is anticipated that employees who show proof that they are partially vaccinated at their upcoming disciplinary hearings will be permitted to return to work on a 30-day probationary period pending full vaccination.
More than 90 percent of Port Authority’s 2,600 employees are at least partially vaccinated.
###
March 18 - 140 Port Authority Employees Return to WOrk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 18, 2022) - More than 140 Port Authority employees returned to work this week after showing proof that they were fully vaccinated, an encouraging sign just days after the vaccine requirement went into effect.
“We are thrilled to welcome so many of our colleagues back to work,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “I’ve heard from so many riders over the past few days who’ve told me they feel safer and more comfortable knowing that all of our employees are vaccinated.
I’m happy to report that as of this morning, more than 90% of our employees are either fully vaccinated or well on their way.”
There are now a total of 340 employees being held off work pending disciplinary hearings (204 who remain unvaccinated and 136 with one dose). Of the 136 employees who have received one dose, 86 are operators. Port Authority has about 2,600 employees, including 1,120 operators.
The employees who recently returned to work either received a the single-dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or previously had their first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and received their second dose this week.
Employees who have presented proof that they are fully vaccinated have had their disciplinary hearings canceled and have been returned to work for their next scheduled shift.
Disciplinary hearings for employees who remain unvaccinated or have only one dose began today. It is anticipated that those with one dose will return to work on a 30-day probationary period pending their second dose. Employees who remain unvaccinated could face discipline up to and including termination.
###
March 15 - Port Authority to Provide Free Fares Through Sunday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 15, 2022) - Port Authority will provide free rides on all vehicles through the end of the day Sunday to acknowledge the challenges riders are facing with staffing shortages related to the agency’s vaccine requirement.
Approximately 180 operators and 480 total employees will be held off work beginning Wednesday in violation of the agency's vaccine requirement. Although a portion of these employees are expected to return to work within the next two weeks, service disruptions are expected to continue.
Riders who have already purchased and have begun to use a 7-day or 31-day pass on their ConnectCard directly from Port Authority or a third-party retailer or have purchased and activated a 7-day or 31-day pass on a mobile ticketing application will automatically receive a complimentary 7-day pass.
Riders who have purchased and have begun to use a 7-day or 31-day pass on a ConnecTix should bring their ConnecTix to the Downtown Customer Service Center beginning Monday to receive a free 7-day pass.
Port Authority operators were instructed to give out free rides earlier today. The agency spent the day working with its third-party fare vendors to come up with a solution for riders who had already purchased and activated a fare product.
###
March 12 - Port Authority Responds to High Number of Call-offs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 12, 2022) - In additional to the normal call-offs that would be expected as a result of the winter storm and the St. Patrick's Day parade, a significant number of Port Authority employees called off from work today in an apparent protest of the agency's vaccine requirement going into effect on Tuesday.
"First and foremost, I want to thank the employees who reported to work today despite the overnight snowstorm and the St. Patrick's Day parade, both of which put strains on our system and create difficult working conditions. Your commitment ensured the busways were clear, vehicles were running, and our rail lines were accessible for a safe commute," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
"I understand that our union employees want to stand in solidarity with their coworkers, but I'm encouraging those employees who called off today to get back to work. The people of Allegheny County rely on our services too much for ATU Local 85 to play these games.
"The union had the opportunity to challenge the vaccine requirement in court and lost. Rather than continuing to fight, ATU Local 85 leadership should encourage its remaining unvaccinated members to get vaccinated and join the over 80% of employees who have done so for the health, safety, and welfare of our entire workforce and the riders we serve."
As we warned on Friday, service disruptions are expected to continue through the next couple of weeks while employees in violation of the agency's vaccine policy participate in disciplinary hearings to address their non-compliance of the requirement. As a result, riders may need to find alternative methods of transportation or adjust their travel plans.
###
March 11 - Port Authority Warns of Probable Service Disruptions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 11, 2022) - Port Authority riders are likely to experience significant delays and a large number of missed trips if more than 500 unvaccinated employees don’t comply with its vaccination requirement.
Riders may need to consider alternate methods of transportation. With such a significant portion of its workforce unavailable, the agency will not be able to deliver up to 20% of its scheduled service for the next several weeks. It will not be possible to detail where service outages will occur day-to-day.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown the need to provide a safe transit environment for riders who rely on our services every day,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Enforcing the vaccine requirement is the best way for us to keep our riders, employees, and all our families safe.
“We understand this may leave us temporarily shorthanded, but at the end of the day, this is the right thing to.”
Approximately 80% of the agency’s 2,700 employees are fully vaccinated, including every new employee since October 2021. Port Authority has offered financial incentives for existing employees since March 2021.
Under the Authority’s requirement, employees who do not submit proof of full vaccination will be held off with pay beginning March 16 until their disciplinary hearings the following week.
Riders are encouraged to take advantage of tools that may help make their trip planning easier, including TrueTime (https://truetime.portauthority.org/) or TrueTime by Text for up-to-date stop times by text message (http://truetime.portauthority.org/trackbytext).
###
March 10 - Nearly 50 Bus Routes to be Detoured Saturday for the St. Patrick's Day Parade
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 10, 2022) - Nearly 50 Port Authority bus routes will be detoured in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday, March 12 for the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Buses that operate on Boulevard of the Allies (Routes 56, 57, 58, and 67) will begin detouring at 7 a.m. for parade assembly. Buses that operate in the Strip District (Routes 2, 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91) will begin detouring about 7:30 a.m. for parade staging.
All other bus routes will begin detouring about 9 a.m., with most routes resuming regular service soon after the streets are reopened. A complete list of bus routes that will be detoured is available at www.PortAuthority.org/StPatricksDayParade.
Riders should anticipate delays on bus routes that travel downtown.
During the parade and through the early evening, two-car trains will operate on the Red, Blue, and Silver Lines.
Additionally, a free rail shuttle will operate between Steel Plaza Station and Penn Station next to the East Busway beginning about 7 a.m. until streets are reopened.
Riders are reminded that due to the closure of the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge, Red Line rail cars are traveling over the Blue Line. Port Authority is operating a rail shuttle between Overbrook Junction and Potomac Station and a bus shuttle between Potomac Station and Station Square. Both are operating every 30 minutes.
In the event of adverse weather on Saturday, additional service updates will be posted on Twitter @pghtransitalert.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
February 17 - Port Authority Service for Presidents' Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 17, 2022) – Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, February 21.
The Authority’s administrative offices and Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Riders with questions about service are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
February 16, 2022 - Port Authority Provides Cost, Time Estimate for Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge Repairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 16, 2022) - The Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge is expected to remain closed for another 10 to 12 weeks until repairs are complete, Port Authority of Allegheny County announced today.
The repairs are expected to cost in excess of $2 million.
That's the length of time and amount of money it’s expected to take for contractors to lift the 600,000-pound bridge back into position; and replace bearings, anchor bolts, and portions of the concrete deck and slab that were removed to stabilize and gain access to the bridge. The cost and timeline are dependent upon weather conditions and supply availability.
Port Authority closed the 1,052-foot span, which carries buses and light rail vehicles over Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Pittsburgh's Mt. Washington neighborhood, on February 4 after an employee noticed a joint at the end of the bridge had shifted to an abnormal position.
Engineers last week determined the bridge shifted several inches after water penetrated a portion of the concrete support structure and froze when temperatures dropped below freezing. The bridge remains stable and poses no threat to motorists on Saw Mill Run Boulevard below.
The closure of the bridge has greatly impacted service on Port Authority's Red Line, requiring all Red Line rail cars to travel via the Blue Line. A rail shuttle is operating between Overbrook Junction and Potomac Station, and a bus shuttle is operating between Potomac Station and Station Square. Both are running approximately every 20 to 30 minutes. Neither shuttle is collecting fares.
Riders with questions about the detours or shuttle bus service are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
February 11 - Expedited Rail Project to Begin Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 11, 2022) - With the Red Line currently out of service due to the unexpected closure of the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge, Port Authority of Allegheny County has expedited a light rail station rehabilitation project that will begin Monday at Fallowfield Station in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood.
The work will include repairing the concrete platforms and metal railings, replacing tactile pads, refurbishing overhead canopies, and painting various areas of the station. Crews will work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., although weekends may be used as make-up days. The work is expected to take about 60 days.
Port Authority's board in 2021 approved a total of $10.8 million to complete the project, which includes work on a total of 18 high platform light rail stations. The Authority had been planning to begin the project this spring but is taking advantage of the closure of Fallowfield Station to complete the work early and with fewer disruptions to service.
"Starting this work on Monday gives us the rare opportunity to work on a station while it's not in use, which also means we won't have to close it again later this year," said David Huffaker, Port Authority's chief development officer. "This means we will inconvenience residents and riders as little as possible, and hopefully not at all."
The agency is also seeking to identify other stations where it may be possible to take further advantage of the bridge outage by beginning work early. Should any other work be scheduled, the Authority will provide more advanced notice.
Port Authority closed the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge on February 4 when an employee noticed a joint on the deck of the bridge had shifted to an abnormal position. This week, engineers determined the bridge shifted after water had penetrated a concrete portion of the bridge and froze during a winter weather storm. The bridge remains stable but will remain closed until repairs are made. A repair timeline will be announced next week.
In the meantime, Port Authority is operating a rail shuttle between Overbrook Junction and Potomac Station and a bus shuttle between Potomac Station and Station Square. Both are operating every 20 to 30 minutes.
For more information about service issues, Port Authority's Customer Service team is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
February 10 -Water Infiltration Combined with Freezing Temperatures Likely Led to Saw Mill Run Blvd. Bridge Shift
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 10, 2022) - Water that penetrated a portion of the concrete support structure of the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge and expanded when temperatures plummeted below freezing is likely what caused the span to shift several inches last week, Port Authority engineers and consultants have determined.
The bridge remains stable but will continue to remain closed for several weeks until repairs can be made. A more accurate timeline for repairs is expected to be released next week.
Port Authority closed the bridge on Friday, February 4, immediately after an employee noticed an abnormally large gap at a joint on the deck of the bridge.
While motorists traveling under the bridge on Saw Mill Run Blvd. should not be impacted, the closure of the bridge has greatly impacted service on Port Authority's Red Line, requiring all Red Line rail cars to travel via the Blue Line.
A rail shuttle is operating between Overbrook Junction and Potomac Station, and a bus shuttle is operating between Potomac Station and Station Square. Both are running approximately every 20 to 30 minutes. Neither shuttle is collecting fares.
Riders with questions about the detours or shuttle bus service are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
February 10 - Port Authority Receives $8.2 million to Improve Access, Air Quality in Allegheny County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 10, 2022) - Port Authority has been awarded a total of $8.2 million in federal funding for three projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion and air pollution and improving public transportation in Allegheny County.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission awarded Port Authority $5.4 million through the federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program (CMAQ) to construct a new transportation center in Wilkinsburg that would upgrade passenger amenities and access to Wilkinsburg Station along the East Busway. In addition to federal funding, Pennsylvania will contribute $2.1 million, and Allegheny County will contribute $260,000 toward the $7.8 million project.
The Commission also awarded Port Authority a $2.5 million CMAQ grant to help Port Authority install or replace about four miles of sidewalks to transit routes throughout the region. Safe access to transit is the highest-ranked program in NEXTransit, Port Authority’s 25-year long-range plan.
The total project is expected to cost $3.6 million, with the state providing $981,000 and Allegheny County contributing $119,000. Construction is expected to in 2025.
Port Authority will also receive a $280,000 grant from the federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program – and administered by SPC – to increase the physical waiting area at eight high-use bus stops through the purchase of rubberized extension pads. One example of a bus stop extension pad currently in use is located at Liberty Avenue across from Smithfield Street in downtown Pittsburgh.
The total budget for this project is $400,000, with Allegheny County providing a $120,000 local match. This project is expected to begin in 2023.
“I’d like to thank the SPC for its positive reviews and approval of these projects,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “These investments will go a long way toward improving mobility throughout our region.”
###
February 4, 2022 - Port Authority Closes Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 4, 2022) - A Port Authority-owned and maintained bridge that carries the South Busway over Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Pittsburgh's Mt. Washington neighborhood will remain closed indefinitely. Engineers on Friday discovered that a portion of the bridge had shifted.
The Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge -- sometimes known as the Palm Garden Bridge -- a 1,052-foot span constructed in 1977 that is used only by Port Authority buses and light rail vehicles, is stable but will remain closed until repairs can be made. Following the bridge's last inspection in October 2020, it was rated Satisfactory (6).
Port Authority, in coordination with third-party contractors, is developing a timetable for repairs. The cause of the shift has not been determined.
At about 9 a.m. on Friday, a Port Authority employee noticed that a joint on the deck of the bridge appeared to have expanded.
Port Authority suspended bus and rail traffic immediately, and dispatched engineers and a bridge consultant to begin examining and surveying the joint for signs of distress and movement.
Engineers determined that the bridge is stable, but that it must be repaired before it is used. Therefore, Port Authority and contractors will soon begin to mobilize to make the necessary repairs.
The work will consist of removing a portion of the concrete bridge deck to access the bridge's superstructure; removing the existing anchor bolts and resetting the position of the bridge; repairing and/or replacing the rail joint; and replacing the portion of the concrete deck that they remove.
Because of the nature of the work, Port Authority crews will also need to make sure the overhead power lines are removed before construction begins and replaced once construction is completed.
Red Line rail cars will detour via the Blue/Silver Line from Overbrook Junction to Downtown. A rail shuttle will operate between Overbrook Junction to Potomac Station. Bus shuttles will operate between Potomac Station and Station Square.
Bus detours are still being finalized and will be posted on Port Authority’s website and social media channels as soon as they are complete.
February 2, 2022 - Negley Station Construction Set to Begin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 2, 2022) - Construction is expected to begin the week of February 14 at Negley Station along the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood.
Improvements will include a new ramp and stairs from South Negley Avenue, new inbound and outbound platforms, a covered waiting area for pick-up and drop-off, LED lighting upgrades, and features that increase pedestrian safety. Final station plans also include new landscaping and design elements that encourage future transit-oriented development.
Plavchak Construction Company of Elizabeth, Pa. will work weekdays from about 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
During this first phase of construction, which will last for about three months, the South Negley Avenue entrance to Negley Station, which includes an accessible ramp and stairs leading to the station, will be closed for while a new ramp and stairs are constructed. The sidewalk directly in front of the station entrance on South Negley Avenue, and the intersection of Summerlea and Pierce Street, will also be closed.
The entrance to Negley Station will remain open at Summerlea Street.
Riders at Negley Station will board outbound buses at stop A. Inbound stops at the station will not be affected by construction during this phase. Riders may also board buses at nearby existing bus stops along Centre Avenue or Ellsworth Avenue.
Outside of the station, the bus stop located at Negley Avenue at East Busway Steps (stop #11088), located by the station entrance on South Negley Avenue, will be temporarily discontinued while access to the station is restricted. Riders of the inbound 64 Lawrenceville-Waterfront should instead use the bus stop located at Negley Avenue at Ellsworth Avenue (stop #8566).
Residents who live near the station will be informed in advance of any additional street closures and parking or lane restrictions.
The Negley Station project is part of the Authority’s Station Improvement Program, which invests capital resources into existing fixed-guideway assets to encourage more transit ridership and investment. Negley Station is the first station in the program to undergo construction.
Riders or residents with questions or concerns during construction may contact Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000. After business hours, please call 412-566-5544, leave a message, and a Port Authority representative will return your call as soon as possible.
As construction progresses, rider impacts will change. Updates will be posted on Twitter @PGHTransit, @PghTransitAlert and at www.PortAuthority.org/NegleyStation.
January 13, 2022 - Service for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 13, 2022) - Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, January 17, 2022.
Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
###
January 10, 2022 - Port Authority to Require Employees to be Vaccinated
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 10, 2022) - All 2,600 Port Authority of Allegheny County employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by March 15 or face discipline up to termination, the public transit agency notified its employee unions on Monday.
The new policy will go into effect on February 1, and is being implemented to promote the health, wellness, and safety of Port Authority's workforce and to protect members of the riding public with whom they interact daily. The Authority joins several transit agencies across the country in requiring its employees to be vaccinated.
The policy, which will not include a testing option in lieu of being vaccinated, comes months after the agency has taken several steps to encourage its workforce to get inoculated, including financial incentives and on-site vaccine clinics. In October, Port Authority began requiring all new employees be vaccinated. To date, 74 percent of Port Authority’s employees are vaccinated.
"With the recent surge of the Omicron variant and the proven success of the vaccine against severe illness and death, it became clear to me that a vaccine requirement is the most effective way for us to protect our employees and riders," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "We've already seen what the virus has done to our service, and our riders can't afford to have even more missed trips and delays. This will help ensure our employees remain healthy and protected so they can deliver the safe and reliable public transportation that Allegheny County deserves.”
Seven Port Authority employees have died since the start of the pandemic. Four died before the vaccine was widely available; three were not vaccinated.
Employees will be notified directly about the new policy later this month that they will have until March 15 to provide proof of their vaccination status. Employees will be considered fully vaccinated after receiving the first dose of a single-shot vaccine or after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine. Booster shots will be strongly encouraged but are not required. As is required by law, religious and medical exemptions will be considered. Accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Beginning March 16, any employee in violation of the requirement, and who does not meet an exemption and receive accommodation, could face discipline up to termination.
The Authority is working to finalize details with its unions about continuing the financial incentives and paid time off for employees who experience side effects from the vaccine.
More information on Port Authority's efforts to create a safe and healthy environment for employees and riders can be found at https://portauthority.org/safetogo.
###
January 3, 2022 - Port Authority Asks for Patience, Understanding as Omicron Surges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 3, 2022) - As the Omicron variant of the coronavirus surges across western Pennsylvania, many Port Authority bus and light rail trips have been affected by a pandemic-related operator shortage.
The omicron variant has clearly taken its toll on Port Authority employees, and the lack of operators is causing delays and longer-than normal wait times throughout the transit network. This shortage of operators is expected to continue until the rate of cases in Allegheny County subsides.
Port Authority asks for riders to be understanding, patient, and to allow for additional travel time.
Port Authority had 84 employees test positive in December and 28 employees test positive since January 1. A seventh Port Authority employee, a five-year bus operator, died on Saturday.
Riders are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service for specific trips that are impacted throughout the day. Customer Service can be reached by phone at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
December 21 - Port Authority Installing Purifiers to Sanitize Air and Surfaces Inside Vehicles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 21, 2021) - Port Authority is installing air and surface purification devices in its fleet of 700 buses and 80 light rail cars to improve the customer experience by creating an even healthier and safer environment for its passengers and employees.
The installation of NFI Parts® Proactive Air and Surface Purification (PASP) units began this fall, and more than half of the bus fleet is now equipped with them. Installations in rail cars will begin early next year.
"The safety of our riders and employees has always been our top priority, and we remain committed to following every precaution to ensure our vehicles are safe," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "In addition to installing Plexiglass barriers for our drivers and manually sanitizing our vehicles, installing these devices is another step to round out our safety strategy."
The PASP units use technology to create advanced purification by producing High Energy Clusters that are distributed throughout the interior of the vehicle, safely sanitizing both air and surfaces. Mounted directly inside the passenger compartment, the devices eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19 as well as other germs, microbes, viruses, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds in the air and on surfaces.
In addition to these devices, Port Authority will soon be installing high-efficiency HVAC filters in buses to further ensure riders and employees are breathing fresh, clean air. The filters will be installed during regularly scheduled preventative maintenance.
The PASP units and HVAC filters cost the Authority $2.9 million and were paid for with local, state, and federal funding.
More information about the steps Port Authority is taking to keep its passengers and employees safe can be found at www.portauthority.org/safetogo.
A video about the PASP units can be found here.
###
December 20 - Port Authority Holiday Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 21, 2021) - Port Authority announced the following changes to service in observance of the upcoming holidays:
Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24) and New Year's Eve (Friday, December 31)
Bus and light rail service will operate on regular schedules.
The Downtown Service Center will be closed.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day (Saturday, December 25) and New Year's Day (Saturday, January 1)
Bus service will operate on Sunday schedules.
Light rail service will operate on special schedules that can be found at www.portauthority.org/holidays. Passengers should note that the majority of Red Line trips will end at Overbrook Junction. Riders heading to stations south of Overbrook Junction, including South Hills Village, should either take the Blue Line or exit the Red Line at Overbrook Junction and transfer to the Blue Line at Willow.
The Downtown Service Center will be closed
Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat on Port Authority's website, www.portauthority.org.
###
December 16 - Port Authority Fare Changes to go into Effect January 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 16, 2021) - Free transfers and rolling passes highlight Port Authority's new fare structure that will go into effect in 2022.
Beginning January 1, 2022, all Port Authority riders will pay $2.75. Those who use a ConnectCard or other pre-purchased fare product will receive unlimited transfers for up to three hours.
Additionally, weekly and monthly passes, which are not increasing in price, will expire seven and 31 days from the day they're first used instead of at the end of each week or month. There are no changes for riders who pay with cash.
"These changes give our riders more flexibility with their time and money," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "No longer will we penalize riders because our routes don't align with where they’re going or because they don't work a traditional Monday-through-Friday schedule."
An analysis of the changes suggests that eliminating paid transfers will especially help low-income riders and families. Making transfers free will cost the Authority approximately $1 million a year.
“These changes reflect a major turning point for our agency and for our region, and we’re continuing to work on even more changes that will provide greater benefits to our passengers while continuing to allow us to move Allegheny County forward."
Port Authority proposed the fare changes in March following an analysis conducted by Four Nines Technologies. After listening to rider feedback and hosting three public hearings, the Authority's Board approved the changes in June.
Riders with questions about the fare change are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
December 2, 2021 - Maintenance Activity to Impact Silver Line Service Next Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 2, 2021) - Maintenance activity will temporarily halt service to several stations along Port Authority's Silver Line during mid-day hours next week.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, Silver Line service will operate between Mesta and Allegheny Station while shuttle buses serve bus stops at or near the rail stations between Mesta and Library. Passengers traveling beyond Mesta should disembark at Lytle Station and take a bus shuttle, which will serve stops listed below.
Normal Silver Line operations will occur before and after the work begins and ends each day.
This temporary service interruption is required so Port Authority crews can perform seasonal maintenance on the track bed and the area within the agency's right-of-way.
Shuttle buses will serve the following bus stops:
INBOUND
Library Station Park and Ride
Library at West Library Park and Ride
Library opposite Beagle Drive
Library opposite King's School Road
Library opposite Logan Road
Brightwood at Monroe Street
Brightwood at South Park Road
Brightwood at Mesta
Brightwood at Bethel Park Park and Ride (Lytle Station)
OUTBOUND
Bethel Park Park and Ride (Lytle Station) at Brightwood Road
Brightwood Road at South Park Road
Brightwood at Monroe
Library at Sarah
Library at Logan Road
Library at King's School Road
Library at Beagle Drive
Library opposite West Library Park and Ride
Library Station Park and Ride
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
November 22 - Port Authority Thanksgiving Service
November 19 - Port Authority Service for Light Up Night
More than 40 Port Authority bus routes will be detoured throughout parts of the day Saturday for Light Up Night and other events in downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore.
Some detours will begin as early as Friday afternoon, while others will detour for staging on Saturday morning. The majority of routes will begin their detours on Saturday evening.
On Saturday, Port Authority will operate two-car trains and provide additional trips on the light rail system beginning about noon to take riders to and from downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore.
Due to the overwhelming popularity of Light Up Night and the University of Pittsburgh football game at Heinz Field, riders should allow for extra time when traveling. Port Authority plans to provide as much additional capacity as manpower and equipment allow.
A full listing of the various detours for both tonight and Saturday can be found at www.portauthority.org/LUN21.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or via live chat at www.portauthority.org. Customer Service representatives are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
###
November 16 - Preparations Begin for Negley Station Improvement Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 16, 2021) - Port Authority’s contractor this month began mobilizing at Negley Station on Port Authority’s East Busway in preparation for a year-long station improvement project.
When complete, the station will have new inbound and outbound platforms, a covered pick-up and drop-off area, LED lighting upgrades, and features that increase pedestrian safety.
Plans also include new landscaping and design elements to encourage future transit-oriented development.
Through the winter, Port Authority’s contractor will conduct surveys of the site and prepare the area for construction, which is expected to begin in spring 2022. The second and third phases of the project will extend through fall 2022.
Access via Summerlea Street will require pedestrian detours during the first phase of construction. Updates and detour information will be posted at www.PortAuthority.org/NegleyStation.
Once complete, the station renovation will create a safer, more welcoming rider experience.
Negley Station is the first in the agency’s Station Improvement Program to undergo construction. The purpose of this program is to invest capital resources into existing fixed-guideway assets to encourage more transit ridership and investment. Other stations that are slated for future improvements include Carnegie Station, Station Square Station, Dormont Junction, and South Hills Junction.
Port Authority’s Board in April approved a $2.5 million construction contract with Plavchak Construction Company of Elizabeth, Pa.
###
November 10 - Port Authority's Downtown Service Center to Resume Regular Hours on Monday, Nov. 15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 10, 2021) - Port Authority of Allegheny County's Downtown Service Center will return to its regular schedule on Monday, November 15, nearly two weeks after the hours were reduced due to multiple confirmed and potential Covid-19 cases.
Regular hours are weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Port Authority temporarily reduced the hours on November 2.
###
November 9 - Temporary Service Changes Require Public Hearing, Title VI Analysis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 9, 2021) - Port Authority staff on Wednesday will present a resolution to the Authority's Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee seeking approval of a Title VI analysis and a 60-day public comment period on service changes the agency implemented late last year.
Port Authority implemented 30 major service changes in November of 2020 in response to the sharp decline and shift in ridership patterns resulting from the still-ongoing global pandemic, and to provide more robust weekend service. A major change is one that affects more than 30 percent of a route's weekly trips, directional miles or service hours.
The Authority's Board approved 10 of the changes -- the weekend service additions – in July 2020. The remaining 20 changes -- five of which were additions to service and 15 of which were reductions in service -- were intended to temporarily rebalance service from underused commuter routes toward local routes that were experiencing pass-ups due to capacity restrictions.
Although Port Authority still considers these changes to be temporary, because the pandemic has lasted longer than 12 months, the agency is required by the Federal Transit Administration to conduct a formal Title VI analysis and hold a public hearing.
If approved by Port Authority's Board on November 19, the public comment period would begin December 1, 2021 and end on February 1, 2022.
A virtual public hearing information session on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will precede the hybrid in-person/virtual public hearing scheduled on Thursday, January 27 from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
Following the public comment period, the Board would receive a summary of the public comment the Authority received at their February 2022 meeting.
November 8 - Port Authority Service for Veterans Day holiday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 8, 2020) - Port Authority will operate regular weekday service on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, 2020.
The Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday. Customer Service representatives will be available regular weekday hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Customers with questions about any Port Authority services are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or live chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
November 5 - Weekend Detours on Red Line to Cause Delays, Detours for Some Riders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 5, 2021) – Maintenance work on Port Authority’s light rail system will cause significant delays and detours for some Red Line riders this weekend.
Red Line service will be suspended between South Hills Junction and Overbrook Junction on Saturday and Sunday from the start of service until 10 p.m. each day while crews perform maintenance on the tracks between Potomac Station and Dormont Junction.
Red Line rail cars will be detoured to the Blue/Silver Line from South Hills Junction.
Rail shuttles will operate between South Hills Junction and Potomac Station, and between Dormont Junction and Overbrook Junction.
Bus shuttles will operate between Potomac Station and Dormont Junction.
Red Line service between Allegheny Station and South Hills Junction, and between St. Anne’s and South Hills Village will not be affected. Neither will Blue Line and Silver Line service.
A full explanation of the detour can be found at www.portauthority.org/redlinedetour.
Customers whose service is affected are encouraged to allow for additional travel time and to contact Port Authority Customer Service before traveling. Customer Service is available by phone at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via chat at www.portauthority.org. Customer Service representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends.
###
November 1 - Port Authority to Reduce Downtown Service Center Hours Effective Tuesday, November 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 1, 2021) - Port Authority of Allegheny County's Downtown Service Center will be open reduced hours beginning Tuesday, November 2, due to multiple confirmed and potential Covid-19 cases.
The service center will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until further notice. Normal hours are weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The service center is not open on weekends.
Two service center employees have tested positive in the last four days. Two additional employees are off pending test results.
Port Authority has no reason to believe customers who visited the service center last week need to be tested; customers are separated from service center employees by a glass barrier. Port Authority had the service center and all common employee areas sanitized over the weekend.
###
October 29 - 16 Bus Routes To Begin Month-long Detour Beginning Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 29, 2021) - Sixteen Port Authority bus routes will be detoured for approximately one month beginning Monday, November 1, to allow the City of Pittsburgh's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure to repair and reconstruct the intersection of 7th Street and Penn Avenue.
During construction, 7th Street will be closed from Ft. Duquesne Blvd. to Liberty Avenue; Penn Avenue will be closed from 9th to 6th streets.
Several bus stops in the area will be inaccessible during construction. Port Authority will be establishing bus stops where conditions permit.
A complete rundown of the discontinued and established stops for all 16 affected routes can be found at https://PortAuthority.org/7thpenndetours.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransit or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
October 29, 2021 - Port Authority Announces Quarterly Service Updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 29, 2021) - No service adjustments will be made to Port Authority schedules this quarter, but existing detours for two bus routes will be made permanent effective Sunday, November 21.
Bus routes 2-Mt. Royal and 12-McKnight will continue to serve stops at the Northway Apartments as part of their regular routing; three bus stops on Browns Lane and Northway Mall Drive will be removed due to the closure of the access road from the upper mall parking lot to Browns Lane.
All other trip times will remain the same.
More information about the changes can be found at www.PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
October 25 - Port Authority Announces September Ridership Increases
Between August and September, Port Authority experienced its highest ridership increases since the start of the pandemic, averaging more than 110,000 weekday rides for the first time since March 2020. Bus ridership remains 50 percent below pre-pandemic levels, while ridership on the light rail system remains 73 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 25, 2021) - Port Authority ridership increased 23 percent from August to September -- the sharpest increase since the start of the pandemic -- averaging more than 110,000 weekday rides for the first time since March 2020.
Overall (bus and light rail) weekday ridership remains 52 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Overall weekend ridership remains 30 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
"Even when ridership plummeted as a result of the pandemic, Port Authority's work never stopped. Our focus has been on rider and employee safety, and overcoming the challenges the pandemic has presented over the past 18 months," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "Ridership has come a long way since March 2020, but we still have a long way to go. What’s been made clear is the important role public transit plays in our region, and we're thankful to those who have stayed with us, those who've come back to us, and those who will be riding with us again soon."
Port Authority continues to experience staffing issues as a result of the pandemic. As ridership continues to increase, the agency will add capacity as it is able to do so.
Inside the Numbers
- From August to September, weekday bus ridership increased 25 percent to 103,000 daily rides. Weekday rail ridership increased 13 percent to 7,400 rides.
- Bus ridership remains 50 percent below pre-pandemic weekday ridership and 30 percent below weekend averages.
- For the first time in Port Authority's history, weekend rail ridership is averaging higher daily ridership than weekday ridership.
- After a stagnant August, weekday rail ridership increased 13 percent in September, but remains 73 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
- Ridership on the Monongahela Incline remains 40 percent below pre-pandemic ridership.
For route-based statistics, please visit PortAuthority.org - Performance Metrics and System Data.
###
October 5 - Wabash Tunnel to Close During Off-Peak Hours for State-Mandated Inspection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Wabash Tunnel will be closed during off-peak hours for several days this month while consultants perform state inspections of the 118 year-old passage.
The tunnel will be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday, October 11 through Friday, October 15, and between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday, October 18 through Thursday, October 21.
It will be open in the inbound direction from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. and in the outbound direction from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. each day.
The Wabash Tunnel opened in 1903 and operated as a railroad tunnel until 1946. It has provided a shortcut for motorists from Route 51 to the South Side and downtown since 2004.
September 24 - Port Authority Board Adopts NEXTransit Long-range Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 24, 2021) – Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board on Friday adopted the agency’s first 25-year long-range transportation plan, NEXTransit, which will help inform, guide, and prioritize the agency’s operational and capital projects, policies, and programs through 2045.
Launched in June 2020, the goal of NEXTransit has been to build upon and improve the Authority’s current transportation network to attract more riders, enhance mobility, and support community development and redevelopment while promoting regional equity, sustainability, and accessibility.
The 78-page document is the culmination of more than 40 public meetings and 20,000 touchpoints over the last 15 months. The final report can be found here.
Port Authority and its consultants engaged the public to identify the barriers to public transit in southwestern Pennsylvania and then identify creative and effective solutions.
The plan recommends 18 new projects that total $3.7 billion and will eventually require more than $100 million a year in new operating costs. The projects range from a new bus depot to busway and light rail extensions.
###
September 24 - Port Authority Board Approves New U-Pass Agreements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 24, 2021) – Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board on Friday approved a new five-year agreement with that will continue to allow more than 40,000 students, faculty, and staff at local universities to ride public transit in Allegheny County for free.
The University of Pittsburgh and Chatham University will pay 60 percent of the $2.75 base fare for each trip taken in 2021, increasing 3 percent in each of the next five years, to 72 percent by 2026. The Authority is in talks with Carnegie Mellon University to reach a similar agreement.
The universities currently pay 50 percent of the base fare, or $1.25, per trip under previous agreements executed in 2012.
“I want to extend a sincere thank-you to our university partners. We are delighted to be able to provide transportation to their students, faculty, and staff,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Now that we have finalized these agreements with our existing university partners, we intend to expand this program to additional institutions so even more people riders can benefit.”
Expansion of the program will coincide with the completion of the mobile ticketing rollout to Port Authority's light rail system next year.
Port Authority began negotiations of the new agreements earlier this year following an extensive study of its fare structure by Four Nines Technologies. Four Nines’ study found Port Authority’s previous agreements were financially unsustainable and recommended increasing the institutions’ contributions.
The program has been a financial boon for the Authority, leading to increased revenue each year since its inception in 2012. In Fiscal Year 2013, the universities paid Port Authority a total of $7.7 million for 6.2 million rides; they paid $11.21 million for nearly 9 million rides in FY2019, accounting for more than 14 percent of the agency’s total passenger revenue that year.
###
September 24 - Great Race Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 24, 2021) - Nearly 40 Port Authority bus routes will be detoured for the 43rd Annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race being held on Sunday.
Most detours will begin at the start of service. All detours will be in place by 7 a.m. and will last until approximately 1 p.m.
A complete list of detours is available at www.portauthority.org/greatrace2021
Port Authority will operate two special bus routes between Oakland and downtown, and Squirrel Hill and downtown.
The special 5K bus service will begin about 6 a.m. and will operate between Gateway Station at Stanwix Street, downtown, and Bigelow Boulevard at Fifth Avenue in Oakland.
The special 10K bus service will begin about 7:30 a.m. and will operate between Gateway Station at Stanwix Street, downtown, and Forbes Avenue at Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill.
Both routes will be available to those participating in the race as well as anyone traveling between downtown and Oakland or downtown and Squirrel Hill.
At the end of the race, the 5K and 10K buses will depart from Gateway Station at Stanwix Street and will operate for approximately two hours to Oakland and Squirrel Hill.
###
September 22 - Port Authority to Provide Free Monongahela Incline Rides on Saturday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 22, 2021) – Port Authority of Allegheny County will provide free rides on the Monongahela Incline on Saturday, September 25, as Mount Washington and other hilltop communities celebrate Party on the Mount.
The Monongahela Incline will be free for all riders during normal operating hours, from 5:30 a.m. until 12:45 a.m.
Free tours of the historic funicular will be available to groups of four at a time every half hour from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration is required at Port Authority’s tent that will be located on Grandview Avenue near the incline.
Party on the Mount is hosted by the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation. The money raised will be put toward the installation of public restrooms in Mount Washington.
###
September 21 - CBD Tunnel Lighting Project Completed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 21, 2022) – The transit tunnels under Pittsburgh’s downtown area are now equipped with brighter and more energy efficient lights.
Wellington Power, with the support of Port Authority crews, today completed a seven-month LED lighting installation project between Gateway and First Avenue stations.
The $3.5 million project included the replacement of more than 200 white LED lights, 20 blue LED emergency lights, 30 receptacles, and more than 16,000 feet of conduit and wiring.
The new lights are approximately 35 percent more energy efficient, have a longer lifespan, and are cheaper to power than the lights they replaced.
September 8, 2021 - Database Issue Causing Sign Problems
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 8, 2021) – An internal database error has caused Port Authority bus and light rail signs from automatically displaying the correct route on the front of vehicles.
This issue, which has been ongoing since Sunday, is affecting every Port Authority bus and light rail car. Some operators are able to manually input their route information. These vehicles display “WRONG CODE/ENTER NEW CODE” on the front or the signs may be completely blank. Operators who are unable to input their route information are calling out their route at each stop.
This issue is also affecting real-time vehicle location information and the applications that display that information. These trip planning tools have reverted to using scheduled information rather than real-time data.
Port Authority is working diligently to correct the issue, although there is no timeframe for when it will be resolved.
Customers with questions or who require trip planning assistance are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or live chat at www.portauthority.org.
September 2 - Port Authority Schedules for Labor Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 2, 2021) – Port Authority service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, September 6, in observance of Labor Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Authority's Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
As a reminder, quarterly service adjustments go into effect Tuesday, September 7. Service on the O1-Ross Flyer will increase to every 15 minutes during weekday rush hours, and two-car trains will return to the Red and Blue light rail lines. More information can be found at www.PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
Customers with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service by phone at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
August 30, 2021 - Port Authority Begins Pilot to Permit e-Bikes on Vehicles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 30, 2021) - Electric bicycles will be permitted inside light rail vehicles and the Monongahela Incline beginning Wednesday, September 1, Port Authority announced today.
This policy reverses a longstanding rule that prohibited riders from bringing electric bicycles inside any Port Authority vehicle because of their potentially dangerous batteries.
"We're really glad to have heard from so many people, particularly Bike Pittsburgh, after we recently reminded riders of our e-bike policy," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "The original policy was crafted with our customers' safety in mind. Since then, the construction, build quality, and safety of e-bikes have come a long way, and there have been very few if any incidents involving e-bikes inside public transit vehicles."
“E-bikes help extend our network into communities where our vehicles don’t go and further our mission of connecting people to life,” Kelleman said.
Beginning September 1, battery-powered bicycles will be allowed inside light rail vehicles when riders are traveling south of First Avenue Station.
They will also be permitted inside the Monongahela Incline and light rail vehicles when traveling within the Central Business District on a six-month pilot. Should there be no incidents during that time, they will be permitted within the Central Business District on a permanent basis.
"The trial period will help alleviate any concerns about their safety," said Burt Jennings, Port Authority's Chief Safety Officer.
The general rules about traditional bicycles will also apply to e-bikes. On buses, they are only permitted on the bike racks; on light rail vehicles, only two per car are permitted at a time; at the Monongahela Incline, they can only be transported in the upper compartment; and regardless of vehicle, mobility devices used by individuals with disabilities always have priority.
All of the rules concerning electric and traditional bicycles can be found at https://www.portauthority.org/bikesandscooters.
###
August 16, 2021 - Port Authority of Allegheny County, Masabi, and Transit app Launch Ready2Ride Mobile Ticketing System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 16, 2021) - Starting today, Port Authority riders will be able to use their smartphones to pay their bus and incline fares in the Pittsburgh region.
This launch for the first phase of the Authority's mobile ticketing system is from Masabi, the international company Port Authority contracted in May 2019 to bring the technology to its customers, and Transit, the real-time app more than 1 in 3 Pittsburgh riders use to plan their Port Authority trips.
“I’m thrilled that we are able to offer this service to riders, which has been several years in the making,” said Port Authority Vice Chair Jennifer Liptak, who chairs the Board’s Technology Committee. “Investments in tools like these further modernize our transit system, making it more accessible and efficient for all users.”
The system allows Port Authority riders to purchase their fare with a debit or credit card and scan their device to validate their fare. The system is now available on Port Authority's entire fleet of more than 700 buses, and will be available at the Monongahela and Duquesne inclines before the end of the week. The light rail system is expected to go online in 2022.
Mobile payment can be made using either application -- Ready2Ride or Transit -- which are both free and available in both the App Store and Google Play beginning today. They can be downloaded at www.portauthority.org/gomobile
"Paying your transit fare should be fast, easy, and convenient,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “The adoption of mobile ticketing technology represents a big leap forward for Port Authority and another step in the right direction for our region.”
Mobile ticket pricing will match Port Authority’s current fare structure and will be updated when the Authority's recently adopted fare structure goes into effect in early 2022. Another aspect will allow customers without smartphones or bank accounts to use cash to buy their fares at a wide variety of retail locations.
Port Authority riders for years have expressed their desire for a cashless fare option. Although planning, installation and execution of the mobile ticketing system began before COVID-19, the pandemic has further demonstrated the importance of having a touchless payment system.
“Convenient, expedient and low-touch ticketing is vital for public transit,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO at Masabi. “Following a successful pilot in early 2021, we are delighted to begin the full rollout of the Ready2Ride app and mobile ticketing with our partner Transit, offering Pittsburghers a safe and modern alternative to waiting in line, cash and paper tickets.”
Port Authority received 11 proposals from mobile ticketing vendors in November 2018. Masabi has implemented mobile ticketing programs in more than 50 cities, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Denver, London and Madrid. Fare payment through the Transit app is also available in more than 50 cities across the U.S. and Canada, including Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Denver, and Oakland.
“We work hard to make riding public transit as simple and stress-free as possible,” said David Block-Schachter, Chief Business Officer at Transit. “Port Authority passengers already rely on Transit to plan their next trip and track their ride in real time. Adding the ability to buy fares gives riders everything they need in one app.”
With more than 40,000 active users in the Pittsburgh region, Transit is the most-used trip planning application for Port Authority riders. It was recently announced as the mobile application for the City of Pittsburgh’s Move PGH initiative, which brings together a variety of transportation options, including Spin electric scooters and HealthyRide bicycles.
###
August 13, 2021 - P16-Penn Hills Flyer to Resume Service along Hulton Road on Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 13, 2021) - Port Authority’s P16-Penn Hills Flyer bus route is expected to resume regularly scheduled service along Milltown, Hulton and Freeport Roads on Monday morning, August 16.
Inbound and outbound service on this portion of the P16 route has been suspended since July 7 due to a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission project along Hulton Road in Plum Borough.
P16 service operates Monday through Friday only.
For questions about service, please contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
August 6, 2021 - Three-month Hillside Stabilization Project to Begin Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 6, 2021) - A three-month construction project to stabilize the hillside above the south end of the Mount Washington Transit Tunnel will begin on Monday, August 9.
A landslide damaged the existing drainage system in January 2020.
The work is critical to ensure the hillside remains stable and to prevent future impacts to residents or to the light rail tracks and busway below.
The project will not affect the ongoing lighting and cable replacement project in the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel, and no additional impacts to light rail or bus service are expected.
###
August 6, 2021 - Port Authority Announces September Quarterly Service Adjustments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 6, 2021) - Port Authority’s quarterly service adjustments for September will focus on providing additional weekday rush hour bus service and increased capacity on the light rail system as more commuters are expected to return to their offices.
Riders on the O1-Ross Flyer will have service every 15 minutes during the weekday rush hours (an increase from every 30 minutes today) and two-car trains will return to the Red and Blue lines, doubling the current capacity.
The changes go into effect on Tuesday, September 7.
More information about the changes can be found at www.PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
As a reminder, the Authority continues to experience an operator shortage, which may result in missed trips. Riders should follow @PghTransitAlert for rider alerts and out of service information.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
July 22 - LED Installation to Temporarily Suspend Light Rail Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 22, 2021) - Port Authority will temporarily suspend light rail service at First Avenue Station from Friday night through Monday morning while crews continue to install LED lighting in the light rail tunnels under the Central Business District.
The temporary closure will begin at 11 p.m. Friday with regular service resuming with the first trip on Monday morning.
A bus shuttle will operate between First Avenue Station (at First Avenue opposite Try Street) and Steel Plaza Station (at Grant Street opposite Oliver Avenue). A rail shuttle will operate between Steel Plaza and Allegheny stations.
Riders traveling between First Avenue and Allegheny stations should plan for delays by allowing for additional travel time. The frequency of the shuttles will depend on employee availability.
Inbound and outbound light rail service between South Hills Village and First Avenue Station, and between Library and First Avenue Station, will not be affected by the work.
To reduce delays, the ongoing work in the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel will be canceled to allow all bus and rail service to use the transit tunnel.
Work on the LED installation project will resume on Monday, July 26, when riders – regardless of their direction of travel – will board rail cars on the inbound platform at Wood Street Station from 8 p.m. until the end of service each night through Sunday, August 1, except for Friday, July, 30 and Saturday, July 31, when riders will board inbound rail cars on the inbound platform and outbound rail cars on the outbound platform.
Wellington Power Corporation of Warrendale began the $3.5 million LED installation project in February. The work is expected to be completed in early fall.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
July 9 - Library Line Work to Cause Service Disruptions Beginning Next Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 9, 2021) - Improvements to the overhead power system along the Silver Line Library will require a temporary service suspension for three nights a week beginning on Tuesday, July 13.
Improvements include transferring the overhead wire, and installing hardware that supports the wire, to new utility poles installed prior to this work. The old utility poles will then be removed.
Work will occur every Tuesday through Thursday evening from 11 p.m. until the end of service through the end of August.
Blue Line and Red Line service will not be affected.
Silver Line riders traveling to or from Library Station will be required to transfer onto a shuttle bus at Washington Junction.
Shuttle buses will operate approximately every 30 minutes, although frequency is dependent on employee availability. They will serve temporarily established stops close to Library Line stops.
Riders at Sandy Creek Stop should use the temporarily established stop at the West Library Park and Ride Lot on Library Road. Riders at Hillcrest should use the temporarily established stop on Library Road at Old Bethel Church (outbound) or Horning Road (inbound).
Riders heading inbound should pay their fares when boarding inbound rail cars at Washington Junction. Riders heading outbound should pay their fares before exiting at Washington Junction. Only riders traveling to stops between Library Station and Washington Junction should pay on the shuttle bus.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
July 1 - Port Authority Service for July 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 1, 2021) – Port Authority service will operate on Sunday schedules on Sunday, July 4, 2021, for Independence Day.
Riders are encouraged to check bus and light rail schedules in advance as some routes do not operate, and most service ends early, on Sundays. Schedules can be found at www.portauthority.org/all-schedules.
The Monongahela Incline will be open from 8:45 a.m. to midnight. Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Service Center will be closed.
On Monday, July 5, Port Authority service will operate on regular weekday schedules and Customer Service representatives will be available regular weekday hours, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Customers with questions about service are encouraged to visit Port Authority’s website or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
July 1 - Turnpike Project to Affect P16-Penn Hills Flyer Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 1, 2021) – A Pennsylvania Turnpike project along Hulton Road in Plum Borough will temporarily suspend a portion of Port Authority’s P16-Penn Hills Flyer bus route for about one month beginning Wednesday, July 7.
The road closure will affect only P16 trips that serve Milltown and Hulton Roads, causing it to be unable to serve 27 inbound and 22 outbound stops from Milltown at Community Market in Penn Hills to Alpha Dive at Freeport Road in Harmar. It will not affect P16 trips that use Unity-Trestle and Saltsburg roads.
Routes 1-Freeport Road, P10-Allegheny Valley Flyer, P78-Oakmont Flyer and 77-Penn Hills, which also operate in the area, will not be affected.
Riders with any questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare, or on live chat at PortAuthority.org.
June 25 - Port Authority Board Adopts 2022 Budget, Fare Changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 25, 2021) - Port Authority of Allegheny County's Board on Friday unanimously approved the transit agency's 2022 operating and capital budgets, and changes to its fare structure.
The 2022 operating budget totals $494.3 million, a 1.8% increase compared to 2021. The 2022 capital budget totals $227.9 million and includes a $99.95 million Capital Investment Grant from the Federal Transit Administration for the proposed Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bus Rapid Transit project.
The Board also approved changes to the Authority's fare structure that are expected to go into effect by January 2022.
The changes eliminate the 25-cent discount for ConnectCard users, include three hours of unlimited rides with the $2.75 base fare, and allow weekly and monthly passes to begin expire seven- and 30-days from first use rather than at the end of the week or month. Cash fares will remain $2.75 and the cost of passes will not change.
###
June 15 - Duquesne Incline will be closed for inspections on Wednesday
Sent on behalf of The Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Heights Incline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 15, 2021) - The Duquesne Incline will be closed for routine state inspections from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
Port Authority will operate a bus shuttle along Grandview Avenue from the upper station of the Duquesne Incline to the upper station of the Monongahela Incline during that time.
For questions or updates, please call the Duquesne Incline at 412-381-1665.
June 11 - Port Authority to Reopen Silver Line - Library on Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 11, 2021) – Port Authority of Allegheny County
plans to reopen the Silver Line – Library for regular service on Monday, June 14.
The light rail line has been closed since June 5 while crews replaced utility poles
and overhead wiring.
Light rail service is expected to be available by Sunday evening, however shuttle
buses will continue to operate between Washington Junction and Library Station.
Regularly scheduled light rail service is expected to begin on Monday morning.
For questions about service, please contact Port Authority Customer Service by
calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via chat at
www.portauthority.org.
###
June 10 - Port Authority to Resume In-person Meetings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 10, 2021) - Port Authority of Allegheny County will resume in-person board meetings this month as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes. Attending remotely will remain an option.
In-person meetings will be held inside the Neal Holmes Board Room, Fifth Floor, 345 Sixth Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. Because a limited number of seats will be available, priority will be given to those who register in advance. Face coverings will be required for those who attend in-person.
The Board's Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 17. It will be immediately followed by the Finance, Performance Oversight and Technology Committee meetings.
The full Board meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on June 25.
To register to attend any of these meetings in-person or remotely, please visit www.portauthority.org/board or call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000. Those without internet access may also participate by calling 1-866-602-5089 and entering conference identification number 9350014 at the time of the meeting.
Public comments will be taken from those attending the Board meeting in-person and remotely. Those who want to address the Board at this meeting must register to attend and separately register to address the board.
###
June 8 - Wabash Tunnel to be closed on Saturday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 8, 2021) - The Wabash Tunnel will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 12 for routine inspection.
No vehicles will be permitted to use the tunnel during those times.
Port Authority will reopen the tunnel in the outbound direction once the inspection is complete on Saturday afternoon, and the tunnel will resume its regular inbound/outbound schedule on Sunday morning. That schedule can be found at www.portauthority.org/wabashtunnel.
For questions, please contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000.
June 3 - Library Line Upgrades to Cause Temporary Service Disruption
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 3, 2021) – Upgrades to the Silver Line – Library in Bethel Park will cause a temporary suspension of service beginning Sunday, June 6, 2021.
Improvements include the replacement of utility poles and overhead wiring, and the installation of sectional insulators to improve reliability and to reduce the impact of potential disruptions along some of the oldest sections of the light rail system.
The work is expected to conclude by the end of service on Friday, June 18.
Blue Line and Red Line service is unaffected.
Silver Line riders traveling to or from Library Station will be required to transfer onto a shuttle bus at Washington Junction.
Shuttle buses will operate approximately every 30 minutes, although frequency is dependent on employee availability, and will serve temporarily established stops close to Library Line stops.
Riders at Sandy Creek Stop should use the temporarily established stop at the West Library Park & Ride Lot on Library Road and riders at Hillcrest should use the temporarily established stop on Library Road at Old Bethel Church (outbound) or Horning Road (inbound).
Riders heading inbound should pay their fare when boarding inbound rail cars at Washington Junction. Passengers heading outbound should pay their fare before exiting at Washington Junction. Only riders traveling to stops between Library Station and Washington Junction should pay their fare on the shuttle bus.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
May 26 - Port Authority Service for Memorial Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 26, 2021) – Port Authority of Allegheny County bus and light rail service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, May 31, 2021, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
Port Authority Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Authority’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Riders are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at PortAuthority.org.
###
May 21 - NEXTransit to host three public meetings next week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 21, 2021) - Port Authority's NEXTransit team will host three public meetings next week to share its preliminary findings and to seek additional input ahead of its draft report to be issued later this summer.
The meetings will be held online at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 24, and at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25. Those interested in attending should visit nextransit.network to register or call 1-855-925-2801, code 4581, at their chosen meeting time.
The NEXTransit team has identified 35 projects, programs and policies to build upon and improve our region's current transportation network to help Port Authority attract more riders, enhance mobility, and support community development and redevelopment while promoting regional equity, sustainability, and accessibility.
Attendees will learn more about the proposed projects and the process used to rank them. They will also make sure their priority is consistent with the community's needs.
A draft of the long-range plan is on track to be released in July and will be followed by a final outreach phase. The final report is expected to be presented to the Authority's Board in this fall.
###
May 20 - Port Authority's Quarterly Service Changes Go Into Effect on June 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 20, 2021) - Major changes to two bus routes and additional service to reduce crowding will highlight Port Authority's quarterly service adjustments set to go into effect on Sunday, June 20, 2021.
As part of a pilot to address overcrowding and bus bunching in downtown Pittsburgh, the P2-East Busway Short will end at Penn Station. Riders continuing into downtown will be required to transfer at Penn Station to any other inbound vehicle or board a downtown-bound vehicle from their origin on the busway.
Additionally, the 69-Trafford will operate between Trafford and Wilkinsburg Station, and will no longer continue into downtown Pittsburgh. Riders continuing into downtown can transfer at Wilkinsburg Station on the East Busway. The P69-Trafford Flyer will continue to operate between Trafford and downtown Pittsburgh.
Although the majority of routes will continue to operate on their Covid-19 schedules, additional trips have been added to seven bus routes to reduce crowding: 1-Freeport Road; 51-Carrick; 59-Mon Valley; 61D-Murray; 75-Ellsworth; 82-Lincoln, and 83-Bedford Hill.
A complete list of the changes can be found at PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders are reminded that vehicle capacity limits will be increased on Monday, May 31, and lifted entirely when the quarterly service changes go into effect on June 20. Riders will be required to wear masks until further notice.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
May 17 - Port Authority to Begin to Eliminate Vehicle Capacity Limits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 17, 2021) – Port Authority will begin to eliminate vehicle limits over two stages beginning at the end of May.
First, the Authority will increase vehicle capacity limits on Monday, May 31:
- Capacity limits on 35-foot buses will increase to 15 riders from 10.
- Capacity limits on 40-foot buses will increase to 25 riders from 15.
- Capacity limits on 60-foot articulated buses and light rail cars will increase to 35 from 25.
A few weeks later, on Sunday, June 20, capacity limits on all Port Authority vehicles, including the Monongahela Incline, will be eliminated entirely. The Mon Incline is currently limited to 12 passengers per trip.
In accordance with guidance issued last week by the Centers for Disease Control, Port Authority drivers and passengers will continue to be required to wear face coverings while aboard vehicles until further notice.
###
April 29 - Mon Incline Reopens
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 29, 2021) – Port Authority of Allegheny County has reopened the Monongahela Incline following the successful completion of routine inspections.
Port Authority recently performed brake and load testing under the supervision of inspectors from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The inspections began on Wednesday, April 28 and finished ahead of schedule earlier today.
The Wabash Tunnel, which has been open in the outbound direction due to the closure, will remain open in the outbound direction for the remainder of the day. It will resume its regular inbound/outbound operations on Friday morning.
###
April 22 - Port Authority to Close Mon Incline for Three Days Beginning Wednesday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 22, 2021) – Port Authority will close the Monongahela Incline for three days for routine inspections beginning Wednesday morning.
Port Authority will be performing brake and load testing under the supervision of inspectors from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The incline is expected to reopen on Friday afternoon.
Shuttle buses will operate between the upper and lower stations during the closure. The frequency of the shuttles will depend on employee availability.
From the start of service until 8 p.m., riders at the lower station will board shuttle buses at the shelter behind Station Square Station. From 8 p.m. until the end of regular incline service, riders at the lower station will board shuttle buses at the bus stop at East Carson Street opposite Station Square Station.
Riders at the upper station will board shuttle buses on Grandview Avenue opposite Shiloh Street from the beginning of service through the end of each service day.
Signs will be posted at the upper and lower stations directing customers to the appropriate shuttle stops.
In addition to shuttle buses, the 40-Mt. Washington bus route also will be available to riders throughout the duration of the closure. The 40-Mt. Washington serves the nearby Smithfield Street Bridge at Station Square bus stop.
Additionally, to accommodate the shuttle routing, the Wabash Tunnel will remain open in the outbound direction only for the duration of the incline closure.
First required in 2013, brake and load testing is conducted every seven years to ensure the incline operates safely and efficiently at maximum capacity. The inspection was delayed last year due to Covid-19.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
April 16 - Mon Incline Reopens on Schedule
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 16, 2021) – Port Authority of Allegheny County has reopened the Monongahela Incline following routine maintenance.
Work to replace the haul cable, which is replaced approximately every three years, began on Tuesday and finished – on schedule – earlier today.
The Wabash Tunnel, which has been open in the outbound direction due to the closure, will remain open in the outbound direction on Friday and will resume its regular inbound/outbound operations on Saturday. The Wabash Tunnel is open in the inbound direction on weekday mornings and early afternoons, in the outbound direction on weekday afternoons and evenings, and in the outbound direction on weekends.
###
April 7 - Mon Incline to be Closed for Repairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 7, 2021) - The Monongahela Incline will be closed for routine cable replacement beginning Tuesday, April 13 through Friday, April 16, 2021.
Due to the nature of the work, the dates are subject to change pending weather conditions.
Shuttle buses will operate between the upper and lower stations. The frequency of the shuttles will be dependent on employee availability.
From the start of service until 8 p.m., riders at the lower station will board buses at the shelter behind Station Square Station. From 8 p.m. until the end of regular incline service, riders at the lower station will board buses at the bus stop at East Carson Street opposite Station Square Station.
Riders at the upper station will board shuttle buses on Grandview Avenue opposite Shiloh Street from the beginning of service through the end of service for the duration of closure.
Signs will be posted at the upper and lower stations directing customers to the appropriate shuttle stops.
In addition to shuttle buses, the 40-Mt. Washington bus route also will be available to riders throughout the duration of the closure. The 40-Mt. Washington serves the nearby Smithfield Street Bridge at Station Square bus stop.
Additionally, to accommodate the shuttle routing, the Wabash Tunnel will remain open in the outbound direction only for the duration of the incline closure.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
March 26 - Port Authority Board Opens 40-day Public Comment Period on Fare Proposal Changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 26, 2021) - Port Authority’s Board today formally opened a 40-day public comment period on a proposal aimed at bringing greater equity and flexibility to the agency’s fare system.
The proposal would eliminate the 25-cent discount for ConnectCard users, replace paid transfers by including three hours of unlimited rides with the $2.75 base fare, and transition to rolling passes that allow riders to always get the most for their money. Cash fares will remain $2.75. The cost of passes will not change.
The changes are expected to be implemented before the end of the year.
“We at Port Authority remain committed to making fares more equitable, flexible and useful,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
The public comment period begins today and ends on May 5.
Online hearings accessible via Microsoft Teams and phone will be held at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 22; 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 30; and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.
American Sign Language interpreters will be available at each of the meetings, and additional meetings will be scheduled for Spanish speakers.
In addition to the hearings, comments will also be taken online at www.portauthority.org/fares2021 and by sending comments to Port Authority of Allegheny County, Attn: 2021 Fare Proposal, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. All comments must be received at the above address by the close of business on May 5, 2021.
Port Authority’s proposal is the result of a study by Four Nines Technologies. Their report is expected to be available next week.
###
March 31 - Good Friday and Easter Sunday Service Information and Hours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 24, 2021) - Port Authority will operate regular
transit service on Friday, April 2, 2021, in observance of the Good Friday holiday.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The
Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed.
Port Authority will also operate regular service on Sunday, April 4, 2021, in
observance of the Easter holiday. Customer Service representatives will be
available regular Sunday hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Downtown Service
Center is not open on Sundays.
Customer Service representatives can be reached by calling 412-442-2000 or via
live chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
March 3 - Port Authority Announces March Service Updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 3, 2021) — Port Authority will continue to
operate on reduced schedules due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but minor
service adjustments will be made effective Sunday, March 21, 2021.
The adjustments include schedule changes to improve on-time performance and
detours to accommodate planned construction projects.
Westbound bus routes 55-Glassport, 56-Lincoln Place, and 59-Mon Valley will use
the 15th Street Bridge in McKeesport in anticipation of the next phase of
construction of PennDOT's Jerome Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Eastbound
routes will continue to use the Jerome Street Bridge.
Additionally, six bus stops served by the 87-Friendship will be discontinued due to
an upcoming City of Pittsburgh project.
A complete list of the changes can be found at
www.PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-
2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
February 17, 2021 - Port Authority’s NEXTransit to Present Ideas to Improve Transit Countywide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 17, 2021) - The future of public transit in Allegheny County could include the expansion of the rapid transit network, and the creation of transportation hubs and community circulators, according to ideas generated from NEXTransit, Port Authority's long-range planning effort.
First, the public must review the list to ensure it meets the needs of the community and help determine which projects should be prioritized.
Port Authority will host four public meetings, at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, and at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2. Please visit https://NEXTransit.network/events to register. Those without access to the internet can call 1-855-925-2801 and enter code 9120 to join any of the meetings at the specified time.
"We are so excited to be at this pivotal step in our long-range planning process," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "If implemented, these projects, programs and policies, would be transformative for individual communities and our region as a whole."
Some of the ideas that will be presented at the meetings include:
- New high-capacity transit corridors to the North Hills, Pittsburgh International Airport, Hazelwood, Monroeville, the Allegheny Valley and McKeesport.
- Better on-street transit amenities to several corridors, including Second Avenue, State Route 837, Freeport Road, and McKnight Road
- Transit hubs throughout Allegheny County, including the Strip District, the North Hills, Edgewood, and Carnegie.
- Community circulators that feed into the high-frequency network and connect communities without needing to go downtown.
- Extensions of the light rail system
- Busway extensions
- Accelerated vehicle fuel diversification.
- Additional wayfinding and signage.
- Fare policies that support affordability and accessibility.
- A sidewalk accessibility program to make it easier for pedestrians to access the transit system.
Once the community helps prioritize what transit investments ought to be pursued, the project team will then ask for their input on how to pay for them. That phase of the study will begin in late spring.
NEXTransit is Port Authority's community-led planning effort for the next 25 years. The plan will help guide the Authority, planning partners, the public and regional stakeholders to set priorities for major transit investments and initiatives through the year 2045. The goal of NEXTransit is to build upon and improve our current transportation network to attract more riders, enhance mobility, and support community development and redevelopment while promoting regional equity, sustainability, and accessibility. Port Authority launched NEXTransit on June 1, 2020.
###
February 9 - Presidents' Day Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 9, 2021) - Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, February 15, 2020.
Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of President's Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available by phone from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. They can be reached at 412-442-2000.
###
February 2 - Port Authority to Shutter Pennant Station
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 2, 2021) – Port Authority of Allegheny County will permanently close Pennant Station on the Red Line in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood effective Monday, February 15.
During a routine inspection of the 33-year-old station this fall, Port Authority engineers found that the steps leading to the station from Platt Avenue were in poor condition, but usable. A more recent inspection found further deterioration, and engineers recommended the station be closed immediately.
Port Authority’s engineering department estimates that repairs to the steps, which would require a new ramp and station upgrades to bring it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, would cost $4 million to $6 million and about two years to complete.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer than 10 passengers used the station each day.
The next-closest Red Line stations are Dawn and Westfield, both of which are a 15-minute walk from Pennant Station.
Additionally, the 41-Bower Hill serves inbound and outbound bus stops on nearby West Liberty Avenue. Both stops are about a 12-minute walk from Pennant Station.
###
February 2 - Port Authority Set to Begin LED Replacement Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 2, 2021) - Port Authority of Allegheny County will begin installing energy-efficient LED lighting inside the tunnels connecting downtown Pittsburgh’s light rail stations beginning Sunday, February 7.
Site preparation near Steel Plaza will begin on Thursday, February 4. The project is expected to be completed by mid-August.
The new LED lights are approximately 35 percent more energy efficient, have a longer lifespan and are cheaper to power than the current fixtures. The $3.5 million project also includes the installation of new receptacles, conduit, and wiring. The work is being performed by Wellington Power Corporation of Warrendale.
All work will be conducted Sunday through Thursday beginning at 8 p.m.
Although minimal service impacts are expected as the work progresses through downtown, specific detour information, such as single-track operations or pedestrian detours, will be posted at the affected station(s).
###
February 1 - Port Authority's Room2Ride wins 2021 Innovations in Transit Performance Measurement Challenge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 1, 2021) - The Transportation Research Board’s Transit Management and Performance Committee and the Transformative Trends in Transit Data Committee on Friday selected Port Authority's Room2Ride tool as the winner of its 2021 Innovations in Transit Performance Measurement Challenge.
Designed and created by Ellie Newman, Port Authority's manager of transit analysis, Room2Ride predicts how full buses will be at scheduled stops by using two weeks of historical trip data to predict future capacity. Room2Ride gives riders who have flexibility in their schedules the opportunity to choose less-crowded trips, creating more opportunities for those who have less flexibility in their schedules.
Newman designed the tool in response to vehicle capacity limits the Authority put in place in April because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Authority launched Room2Ride in June.
Room2Ride competed against finalists from across the country, including Jacksonville Transit Authority in Florida, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Washington, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, D.C.
Judges included Frances Fisher, chair of Transportation Research Board Transit Management and Performance Committee and Sr. Transportation Engineer at Bay Area Rapid Transit, Michael Helta, chief innovation officer of Maryland Department of Transit-Maryland Transportation Association, and Christof Spieler, vice president and director of planning at Huitt-Zollars and senior lecturer at Rice University.
Newman joined Port Authority in 2019. She earned her Bachelor's degree in international relations from The College of Wooster in 2010 and her Master's of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015.
January 21 - Port Authority Fills Director of Equity and Inclusion Position
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 21, 2021) - Port Authority of Allegheny County announced today that human resources veteran Fonda Dusé has been chosen to fill its newly created position of director of diversity and inclusion.
She began her role on January 11.
Ms. Dusé is charged with implementing and leading Port Authority's agency-wide equity and inclusion strategy and program development; bringing external and emerging trends into the agency's cultural environment; analyzing current programs and policies to present recommendations for improvement; and developing and promoting training programs to enhance employee understanding on inclusion issues.
She reports to Inez Colon, Port Authority's chief human resources officer, as well as CEO Katharine Kelleman.
"The creation of this role was a critical step toward identifying, addressing and improving equity within our organization, and it will not be the last,” Kelleman said. “Through Fonda’s work we will initiate meaningful change that we hope will foster a safe, supportive and productive environment for all of our employees and the community we serve.
“We are very excited to bring Fonda on board. Her success is our success.”
Ms. Dusé has nearly two decades of human resources experience. She has successfully created, developed and implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives for 11 organizations in five different industries, including transportation and other government-regulated companies, and has developed multiple training programs, including a program on Diversity Awareness. Prior to joining Port Authority, she served as principal of her own company, iHR Pro LLC.
Ms. Dusé earned her bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations from Saint Francis University. She also holds several certifications in HR-related areas.
###
January 19, 2021 - Port Authority Seeks Participants for Mobile Ticketing Pilot
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 19, 2020) - Submissions to participate in Port Authority's new touchless mobile ticketing pilot are being accepted immediately, the transit agency announced today.
The pilot will begin in early February and last at least three months. The program is open to the first 400 bus riders who have an Apple or Android mobile device and a debit or credit card.
"I think riders are going to find the new mobile ticketing app to be fast, convenient and reliable, and it's an exciting step toward modernizing the way our customers pay their fare," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "And although we began planning for this well before the pandemic, providing our riders with a touchless payment system in addition to our ConnectCard is a tremendous benefit for obvious reasons."
The free app will allow riders to purchase fare payment products -- from single trip tickets to monthly passes -- from their mobile device and use them immediately. The app then displays a digital ticket on the phone’s screen, eliminating the need for hard surface contact at the farebox.
The application relies on a mobile ticketing platform called Justride, created by London-based Masabi LLC. Port Authority's Board approved the contract with Masabi in May 2019. Masabi has also deployed its Justride application in cities like London, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Denver.
To apply to participate in the mobile ticketing pilot, riders should visit www.portauthority.org/mobilepilot.
January 14, 2021 - Service for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 14, 2021) - Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, January 18, 2021.
Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Customer Service phone representatives will be available Monday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 412-442-2000.
Jan. 11 - Online Meetings Scheduled on Bus Rapid Transit Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 11, 2021) - Port Authority will provide an update on the Downtown–Uptown–Oakland–East End Bus Rapid Transit project at four meetings scheduled for later this month.
Members of the project team will provide an update on the project timeline and budget, and respond to outstanding questions and concerns. Each meeting will conclude with a question-and-answer session.
Although each meeting will focus on a specific project location, each meeting will provide a full overview of the project. The meeting dates are as follows:
- Squirrel Hill Branch Discussion: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - 6 to 8 p.m.
- Highland Park Branch Discussion: Thursday, January 21, 2021 - 6 to 8 p.m.
- Uptown/Downtown Discussion: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 - 6 to 8 p.m.
- Oakland Discussion: Thursday, January 28, 2021 - 6 to 8 p.m.
Registering in advance is required by signing up at PortAuthority.org/BRTMeetings or by calling 412-566-5184. Registered participants will be sent a meeting link and dial-in information within 24 hours of their selected meeting date and time.
A sign-language interpreter and closed captioning will be available at each meeting. If you need additional accommodations, please contact Melissa Rubin at mrubin@PortAuthority.org or 412-566-5184.
To submit questions in advance please email brt@portauthority.org.
###
Jan. 11 - Phase II of McKeesport Transportation Center construction to begin Saturday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 11, 2021) – The second phase of construction for Port Authority of Allegheny County’s McKeesport Transportation Center project will begin on Saturday, January 16.
The completed project will have enhanced passenger amenities including four bus shelters with benches, two ticket vending machines and improved access to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. The number of parking spaces will increase from 66 to 85. The total cost for Phase II is $3.4 million.
Additional upgrades will include wider bus lanes, an underground stormwater management basin and a relief building for employees.
To accommodate construction, Port Authority will close the McKeesport Transportation Center Park and Ride for about one year.
Bus routes that currently serve the McKeesport Transportation Center will remain on Lysle Blvd. Riders of the 60-Walnut-Crawford Village, 61C-McKeesport-Homestead and P7-McKeesport Flyer should board inbound buses at the existing stop at Lysle Blvd opposite McKeesport Transportation Center, and board outbound buses at the existing stop at Lysle Blvd at the McKeesport Transportation Center.
Alternate free parking is available at the Duquesne Park and Ride (intersection of Library Place and Duquesne Blvd.), the North Versailles Park and Ride (200 Loews Drive) or the Olympia Park and Ride (4313 Walnut St.) in McKeesport.
Phase I of the McKeesport Transportation Center project was completed in 2018 at a cost of $1.2 million. That phase included the demolition of the McKeesport Transit Center building and increasing the number of parking spaces from 32 to 66.
###
December 23 - Port Authority Board approves two-year contract with union
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 23, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County's Board today approved a two-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 for the transit agency's 2,300 bus and rail operators, maintenance, service personnel, administrative employees and first-level supervisors.
The contract is retroactive to July 1, 2020 and extends through June 30, 2022. The previous four-year contract expired on June 30, 2020.
The deal is the result of several months of negotiations between Port Authority and Local 85. Local 85 members overwhelmingly approved the contract on December 18.
"We believe this agreement is fair to taxpayers, our riders and the transit employees who have worked hard to improve service,” said Jeff Letwin, Port Authority Board chair. "I want to congratulate everyone who was involved in the contract negotiations."
The contract includes 2.75 percent wage increases in both years of the contract at a total cost of $7.8 million and holds the line on health insurance rates for active employees. A change in carriers for retirees who are at least 65 years-old will result in a savings of $10 million over the next two years.
"The last several months have created a lot of uncertainty in our future, but this contract
ensures that we will have some level of consistency over the next two years," said Port
Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
The contract also extends protections to non-operations employees who are assaulted while on duty and includes various changes in work rules that is expected to save the Authority $1 million over two years.
###
December 21 - Port Authority service for Christmas Day and New Year's Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 21, 2020) – Port Authority bus service will operate on Sunday schedules on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Light rail service will operate on special holiday schedules that can be found at www.portauthority.org/holidays.
Port Authority’s Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed on both Friday, December 25 and Friday, January 1 in observance of the holidays.
Customer Service phone representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days. Port Authority will operate regular service on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority Board to hold special meeting December 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 21, 2020) – Port Authority’s Board will hold a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 to consider ratifying a two-year collective bargaining agreement between Port Authority and Amalgamated Transit Union Local No. 85.
Members of the public are invited to participate in this special meeting via an online or telephone connection with pre-registration by visiting portauthority.org/board, clicking on the “Virtual Meeting” link and following the registration instructions or contacting Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 to pre-register. Pre-registration must be completed by 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
Members of the public may also participate by calling 1-866-602-5089 and entering conference identification number 9350014.
Members of the public who want to address the Board at the special meeting must also register by emailing your name and any organization you may be representing to JDevlin@PortAuthority.org by no later than 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. Speakers will only be permitted to speak on the topic of the special meeting. For those without internet access, Port Authority will accept registrations via hand delivery or mail (345 Sixth Avenue, Third floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222) or fax (412-237-8765) that must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Port Authority may contact those who register with additional instructions.
###
December 7 - Two Port Authority employees die of COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 7, 2020) - Port Authority today is grieving the deaths of two employees to COVID-19.
“Today, our hearts are broken. We are mourning the loss of two members of the Port Authority family,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "On behalf of Port Authority’s Board and the entire agency, we extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones. Their commitment to serve customers was truly emblematic of all of our frontline employees."
One employee was an operator for 21 years and most recently worked out of the East Liberty bus garage. He last worked on November 25. A member of his family reported that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, December 4. He died on Sunday, December 6. He was 57.
The second was an operator for seven years and most recently worked out of the Collier bus garage. He last worked on November 24 and a member of his family reported that he had tested positive for COVID-19 the following day. He died Monday, December 7. He was 34.
Since the start of the pandemic, 186 Port Authority employees have tested positive for COVID-19, including 127 since November 1. Ninety-two have recovered and have been cleared to return to work and 92 are recovering at home.
Port Authority is offering grief counselors to any employees seeking support.
Our of respect for their families, no other details will be provided at this time.
###
November 23 - Port Authority to operate modified service on Thanksgiving
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 23, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County will operate modified service on Thursday, November 26, 2020. Riders are encouraged to check schedules before heading out.
Bus service will operate on Sunday schedules.
Light rail service will operate on special Thanksgiving schedules that can be found at www.portauthority.org/holidays.
The Downtown Service Center and Port Authority's administrative offices will be closed.
Port Authority will provide additional light rail service beginning at 5:30 p.m. for the Steelers-Ravens game at Heinz Field. North Side Station will close at 8:30 p.m. for the remainder of the evening.
Customer Service will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 412-442-2000 or www.portauthority.org.
All service will return to operate on regular weekday schedules on Friday, November 27.
###
Nov. 17 - Port Authority's quarterly service adjustments to go into effect Sunday, November 22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 17, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County reminds riders that service adjustments will go into effect on Sunday, November 22.
The adjustments include a temporary redistribution of service to avoid missed trips during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the permanent addition of weekend service to several bus routes.
Overall, Port Authority will modify schedules for 65 schedules of the agency’s 98 bus routes.
Temporary changes include reduced service on routes that are experiencing lower ridership and increased service to routes that have been experiencing higher ridership levels.
Permanent changes include the addition of Saturday and Sunday service on four bus routes (20-Kennedy, 29-Robinson, 36-Banksville and 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood) and Sunday-only service on another four bus routes (22-McCoy, 39-Brookline, 60-Walnut-Crawford Village and 74-Homewood-Squirrel Hill).
Additionally, the P68-Braddock Hills Flyer will serve Forbes Hospital in Monroeville; the 2-Mt. Royal will be extended to serve North Hills Village shopping center on weekends; and every trip on the Red Line will be extended to South Hills Village.
A complete list of the changes can be found at PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
Riders are reminded that vehicle capacity limits remain in place, and that riders are required to wear a face covering at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
Nov. 13 - Port Authority Announces Next Theme For Long-Range Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 13, 2020) – Following a successful round of public engagement in which Port Authority asked riders “Where Do You Want to Go?” the agency is now asking “How Can Transit Get You There?”
Through its long-range planning effort, NEXTransit, members of the public are invited to provide input on how future transit service can best serve their needs by participating in one of three online meetings. The meetings can be accessed at https://nextransit.network/events on the following dates:
- Tuesday, November 17th @ 11:30am
- Wednesday, November 18th @ 9:00am
- Wednesday, November 18th @ 5:30pm
Those without access to the internet can call 1-855-925-2801 and enter code 8342 to join any of the meetings at the specified time.
Transit users and non-transit users from communities across Allegheny County are encouraged to participate.
“A few months ago, we asked you to think about the ways in which we can improve transit to better our communities and our region,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “The time has come to tell us. No idea is too small, no dream is too big.”
Port Authority launched NEXTransit on June 1 to solicit public feedback to inform where service should go, who it should serve, when it should operate and what projects should be given priority over the next 25 years.
The input Port Authority receives will serve as a blueprint to meet the community’s vision for what public transportation in our region needs to accomplish in the coming decades to ensure residents have access to jobs, housing, healthcare, education and other services.
Port Authority encourages community members, businesses and other stakeholders to learn more about NEXTransit and sign up for email alerts at https://nextransit.network/ or follow the project on Face at @NEXTransit and @nex_transit on Twitter and Instagram.
###
Port Authority service, hours for Veterans Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 5, 2020) - Port Authority will operate regular weekday service on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday. Customer Service representatives will be available regular weekday hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Customers with questions about any Port Authority services are encouraged to call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 4, 2020) - Nine Port Authority employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since the last update on September 30, bringing the total number of employee cases to 61.
Looking ahead, unless there is a site-specific outbreak about which the public needs to be made aware, Port Authority will no longer be issuing regular or periodic press releases about case totals. However, case totals will be kept up-to-date at www.portauthority.org/coronavirus.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required to be worn at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
November 3, 2020 - Port Authority's November Board meeting information
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 3, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board will continue to hold its committee and full Board meetings online as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board’s Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, and will be followed immediately by meetings of the Finance Committee, Performance Oversight Committee, and Financial Audit Committee.
The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, November 20.
To attend the online committee meetings or the full Board meeting, please pre-register by visiting PortAuthority.org/board and clicking on the link “Virtual Meeting” by 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12. Those without internet access can listen in by calling 1-866-602-5089 and entering conference identification number 9350014 at the start of the meeting.
Public comments are not taken at the Board committee meetings. Those who want to address the Board at its meeting on November 20 must both register to attend and separately register to address the Board at least five business days before the meeting. Please visit PortAuthority.org/board and click on the link “Address the Board” to register to address the board.
Presentations to the Board are limited to three minutes for individuals, including individuals representing organizations, or five minutes total for an organization where more than one member of the organization is making the presentation.
All attendees are asked to keep their microphones muted throughout the duration of both meetings. Those registered to address the Board on November 20 will be unmuted at the appropriate time.
To view previous meeting agendas, minutes or recordings, please visit PortAuthority.org/board and click on the link to “Board Meeting Information.”
###
October 14, 2020 - Port Authority COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 14, 2020) – Two Port Authority employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since the last update on September 30, bringing the total number of employees to 54.
Case 53
An operator who works out of Port Authority’s garage in Collier, this employee reported testing positive on Friday, October 9. They last worked on Friday, October 2, and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time pending test results.
Case 54
An operator who works out of Port Authority’s garage in Ross Township, this employee reported testing positive on Tuesday, October 13. They last worked on Thursday, September 24, and has been off for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 since that time.
Of the 54 Port Authority employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, 49 have recovered and have been cleared to return to work. Five employees remain at home recovering.
###
October 8, 2020 - Port Authority's October Board meeting information
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board will continue to hold its committee and full Board meetings online as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board’s Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, and will be followed immediately by meetings of the Finance Committee, Performance Oversight Committee and Technology Committee.
The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 23.
To attend the online committee meetings or the full Board meeting, please pre-register by visiting PortAuthority.org/board and clicking on the link “Virtual Meeting” by 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 15. Those without internet access can listen in by calling 1-866-602-5089 and entering conference identification number 9350014 at the start of the meeting.
Public comments are not taken at the Board committee meetings. Those who want to address the Board at its meeting on October 23 must both register to attend and separately register to address the Board at least five business days before the meeting. Please visit PortAuthority.org/board and click on the link “Address the Board” to register to address the board.
Presentations to the Board are limited to three minutes for individuals, including individuals representing organizations, or five minutes total for an organization where more than one member of the organization is making the presentation.
All attendees are asked to keep their microphones muted throughout the duration of both meetings. Those registered to address the Board on October 23 will be unmuted at the appropriate time.
To view previous meeting agendas, minutes or recordings, please visit PortAuthority.org/board and click on the link to “Board Meeting Information.”
October 7, 2020 - Port Authority planning to provide additional light rail service to Heinz Field on Sunday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 7, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County is planning to provide additional light rail service -- but will continue to observe vehicle capacity limits – when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field on Sunday.
Additional light rail service will be contingent upon employee availability. Bus service will follow Sunday schedules.
Fans taking public transit to Heinz Field are reminded that face coverings are required to be worn at all times, including while waiting at stations with other passengers, while boarding and for the entire duration of trips. Social distancing is encouraged wherever possible.
The vehicle capacity limit on the light rail system is 25 passengers per car. When vehicles reach their capacity limits, operators will not stop at stations except to unload passengers. New passengers will not be picked up until others disembark. Riders are encouraged to allow for additional travel time.
Following the game, fans can board rail cars at Allegheny Station. North Side Station will be closed from about 1 p.m. until an hour after the end of the game.
Routine maintenance on the Red Line, which had been scheduled to occur on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. will now occur only on Saturday.
Port Authority to begin receiving new buses this week
Port Authority to begin receiving new buses this week
Non-fabric seats and digital information screens are among the newest features on the 54 clean diesel buses being added to Port Authority’s fleet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 5, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County this week expects to begin accepting delivery of new clean diesel buses as part of its annual fleet management and replacement program.
The 54 40-foot Gillig buses are equipped with new amenities to make the riding experience more enjoyable for both customers and drivers, including digital screens, non-fabric seats, sapphire interior lights and additional USB ports.
The 29-inch digital screens can display real-time location- based content like rider alerts, detours and other useful information.
Non-fabric seats will mean an end to the days of being unable to tell whether a seat is wet or otherwise dirty and are easier to wipe off and clean.
The blue sapphire interior lights help reduce glare for drivers at night.
The buses are also equipped with 19 USB ports, five more than last year’s buses. This amenity has proven to be popular with riders.
The buses cost a total of $28 million. Each bus cost $518,000.
Sept. 30 - Weekly COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 30, 2020) – One Port Authority employee has tested positive for COVID-19 since the last update on September 16, bringing the total number of employees to 52.
The employee works as a building maintainer out of a Port Authority facility located at South Hills Junction. They have been off work and in a medically directed self-quarantine since Monday, September 21. They tested positive on Friday, September 25.
Of the 52 Port Authority employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, 47 have recovered and have been cleared to return to work. Five, including the most recent case, are at home recovering.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required to be worn at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
###
November service adjustments to redistribute service, add weekend service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 17, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County on Thursday pledged to redistribute service to better serve customers and avoid missed trips during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Authority also plans to add weekend service to several routes when the changes are made in November.
Overall, Port Authority will modify 55 schedules. Some of the changes will be permanent. Others are temporary due to COVID-19.
Permanent changes include an extension of the P68-Braddock Hills Flyer to serve Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, an extension of the 2-Mt. Royal to North Hills Village shopping center, and extending every trip on the Red Line to South Hills Village.
Temporary changes include additional trips on the 1-Freeport Road, 12-McKnight, 44-Knoxville, 51-Carrick and 59-Mon Valley.
Overall, Port Authority ridership remains 65-70 percent below normal, although some routes are nearing pre-COVID-19 ridership levels.
To best serve customers, Port Authority’s Service Development team plans to reduce service on routes that are experiencing low ridership and redistribute those resources to increase frequency on routes that are experiencing higher ridership.
The goal of the changes is to meet demand where it is needed, increase system reliability and accommodate as many passengers that current conditions allow.
Full schedules for all the modified routes will be made available at www.PortAuthority.org a few weeks before they go into effect on November 22.
###
September 16 - Weekly COVID-19 update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 16, 2020) – Three Port Authority employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 51.
All three employees are operators who work out of Port Authority’s bus garage in West Mifflin. All three employees reported having family members who had recently tested positive.
Case 49
This employee reported testing positive on Friday, September 11. They last worked on Monday, September 7 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time.
Case 50
This employee reported testing positive on Monday, September 14. They last worked on Wednesday, September 9 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time.
Case 51
This employee reported testing positive on Tuesday, September 15. They last worked on Thursday, September 10 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time.
Of the 51 Port Authority employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, 44 have recovered and have been cleared to return to work. Seven are at home recovering.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required to be worn at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
###
September Meetings of the Port Authority Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 11, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board will hold its committee and full Board meetings online this month as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board’s Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, and will be followed immediately by meetings of the Finance Committee, Performance Oversight Committee and Technology Committee.
The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 25.
To attend the online committee meetings or the full Board meeting, please register at www.portauthority.org/board or call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 to receive a call-in telephone number and access code.
Public comments are not taken at the Board committee meetings. Those who want to address the Board at its meeting on September 25 must both register to attend and separately register to address the Board at least five business days before the meeting. Please visit www.portauthority.org/Board to register to address the board.
Presentations to the Board are limited to three minutes for individuals, including individuals representing organizations, or five minutes total for an organization where more than one member of the organization is making the presentation.
All attendees are asked to keep their microphones muted throughout the duration of both meetings. Those registered to address the Board on September 25 will be unmuted at the appropriate time.
###
September 9 - Weekly COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 9, 2020) – Port Authority reports no additional positive COVID-19 cases since last week’s update.
September 2 - Port Authority Service for Labor Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 2, 2020) – Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, September 7, 2020 in observance of Labor Day.
The Authority's Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by phone at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or via Live Chat at PortAuthority.org.
###
September 2 - Weekly COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 2, 2020) – Four Port Authority employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 48.
All four employees work at Port Authority’s light rail facility in Upper St. Clair and have been off in medically directed quarantines since they began experiencing symptoms.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required to be worn at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
September 2 - Statement by Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 2, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County CEO Katharine Kelleman today released a statement regarding the demonstration planned for this afternoon in front of Port Authority’s administrative offices
I want to be absolutely clear: Port Authority unequivocally believes that Black lives matter.
The harassment and injustice that people of color, particularly Black people, experience in America is unacceptable and wrong, and we at Port Authority are doing everything we can to ensure our employees and customers of color are heard, valued and appreciated.
Port Authority's uniform policy isn't directed at Black Lives Matter or any other specific message, group or ideology.
While private businesses have the ability to permit employees to display certain messages while preventing other employees from displaying other messages, federal law prohibits public agencies such as Port Authority from doing the same. If Port Authority allows uniforms to be used as a message board for some political or social protest topics, we must then allow all messages on that topic, including those that could disrupt Port Authority’s ability to deliver public transit service in a safe and efficient manner and cause harm to our employees, customers and communities. In legal terms, our policy is viewpoint neutral and simply aims to keep our transit system from being disrupted unnecessarily.
The face coverings of our drivers should not be a barrier to using public transit, and our customers should not be made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe because the personal message on the face covering of our drivers is in conflict with their own beliefs or ideologies, particularly during a time of significant political and social polarization in our country.
Port Authority’s uniform policy has prohibited the wearing political of social justice messages since the 1970s. Port Authority recently amended the policy to include face coverings since they are now part of the Port Authority uniform.
In an effort to further address this issue, Port Authority is working with our uniform supplier to design and create Port Authority face coverings that will be required to be worn by all employees while on duty.
###
August 26 - Weekly COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 26, 2020) – One Port Authority employee tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 44.
Case 44 is a mechanic who works at Port Authority’s light rail facility in Upper St. Clair. This employee last worked on Friday, August 21 and has been off in a medically directed self-quarantine since that time.
Port Authority has established protocols at facilities where an employee tests positive for COVID-19, including disinfecting work areas and vehicles when appropriate, and requiring all employees take their temperature for two weeks prior to entering the building.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required to be worn at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
###
Quarterly Service Updates to go into effect August 23
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 20, 2020) – Existing detours on four bus routes will be incorporated into Port Authority’s operating schedules beginning Sunday, August 23, 2020.
- Schedules and routing for the 31-Bridgevilleand G31-Bridgeville Flyer have been revised due to the closing of the South Fayette Park and Ride.
- Schedules and routing for the 59-Mon Valleyand P71-Swissvale Flyer have been revised to include an ongoing detour for the long-term Kenmawr Bridge replacement project.
Full schedules are available at www.PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates.
Also beginning on August 23, Port Authority -- in an effort to alleviate potential congestion and encourage social distancing -- will establish a new outbound bus stop at Smithfield St. at Fifth Ave. for 12 routes that also serve the nearby outbound stops Sixth Ave. at Smithfield St. and Smithfield St. at Sixth Ave.
The outbound 39-Brookline, 40-Mt. Washington, 41-Bower Hill, 43-Bailey, 44-Knoxville, 48-Arlington, 51-Carrick, 51L-Carrick Limited, Y1-Large Flyer, Y45-Baldwin Manor Flyer, Y47-Curry Flyer, and Y49-Prospect Flyer will serve the new stop.
Further adjustments based upon employee and vehicle availability – as well as ridership levels – are expected to occur in November.
Riders are reminded that Port Authority’s workforce continues to feel the impact of COVID-19 with absenteeism at higher-than-normal levels and service is contingent upon employee and equipment availability.
Additionally, vehicle capacity limits remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
- 10 riders on a 35-foot bus
- 15 riders on a 40-foot bus
- 25 riders on a 60-foot articulated bus or light rail vehicle
Customers are encouraged to plan trips with the help of Room2Ride, Port Authority’s online tool that shows bus capacity information based on data from the previous two weeks. Room2Ride can be found at www.portauthority.org/room2ride. Realtime trip crowding information can be accessed at http://truetime.portauthority.org.
Finally, face coverings are required to be worn at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
Riders with questions are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on Twitter @PghTransitCare or on live chat at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
August 19, 2020 Weekly Covid-19 Update
I apologize for the lateness of this update. We had a case reported today and I wanted to make sure it was included.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 19, 2020) – Four Port Authority employees tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 43.
Case 40
A bus operator who works out of Port Authority's Ross garage, this employee last worked on Monday, August 10. This case was reported on Friday, August 14.
Case 41
An administrative employee who works out of Port Authority's Heinz 57 Center, this employee last worked on Tuesday, August 11. The employee started feeling sick with symptoms of the virus that evening and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time
Case 42
An administrative employee who works out of Port Authority's Heinz 57 Center, this employee last worked on Wednesday, August 12. The employee has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time.
Case 43
An employee who works out of Port Authority’s Main Shop in the city’s Manchester neighborhood, this employee last worked on Friday, August 7. Port Authority learned of this employee’s test results on Wednesday, August 19.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required to be worn at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
###
August 12 - Weekly COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 12, 2020) – Two Port Authority employees tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 39.
Both employees – a mechanic and a service person – work at Port Authority’s facility in the city’s Manchester neighborhood. They both last worked on Friday, July 31 and both reported testing positive on Thursday, August 6.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required to be worn at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and while inside the Downtown Service Center.
###
August 5 - Weekly COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 5, 2020) – Five Port Authority employees tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 37.
Case 33
A bus operator who works in the Port Authority's Ross garage. The employee last worked on Saturday, July 26 and has been off in a medically-directed self-quarantine since then.
Case 34
A Port Authority police officer tested positive and last worked on Monday, July 27. The officer has been in a medically-directed self-quarantine since that time.
Case 35
A bus operator who works in the Port Authority's garage in Ross. The employee last worked on Monday, July 27 and has been in a medically-directed self-quarantine since then.
Case 36
A bus operator who works at Port Authority's garage in West Mifflin, this employee tested positive and last worked on Friday, July 31. The employee has been in self-quarantine since that time.
Case 37
A bus operator who most-recently worked at the Port Authority's garage in Ross. The employee has been off work since February 11, 2020.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
###
July 29 - Weekly COVID-19 Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 29, 2020) – Three Port Authority employees tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 32.
Case 30
A bus operator who works at Port Authority’s garage in Collier, this employee reported testing positive on Monday, July 27. The employee last worked on July 23 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time.
Case 31
A bus operator who works at Port Authority’s garage in Ross, this employee reported testing positive on Monday, July 27. The employee last worked on July 8 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time.
Case 32
A maintenance employee who works at a Port Authority facility at South Hills Junction, this employee reported testing positive on Tuesday, July 28. The employee last worked on July 21 and has been in a medically directed self-quarantine since that time.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
###
July 22 - Weekly COVID-19 Case Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 22, 2020) – Two Port Authority employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 29.
Case #28
A light rail operator, this employee tested positive on Friday, July 10. Port Authority learned of the positive test on July 15. The employee last worked on June 13 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time.
Case #29
A bus operator from Port Authority’s garage in Ross, this employee tested positive on Friday, July 17. The employee last worked on May 29 and has been off work since that time.
Seventeen of the 29 employees who have tested positive have been cleared to return to work. Twelve are recovering at home.
Port Authority continues to follow all state and county health department guidelines and as with all previous cases, confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
Port Authority seeks public input for NEXTransit long-range plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 16, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County is seeking public input about the future of transit in our region as part of NEXTransit, the agency’s recently-launched long-range planning effort.
NEXTransit will help inform where service should go, who it should serve, when it should operate and what projects should be given priority over the next 25 years.
The community is invited to participate in six online meetings:
- Monday, July 27, 2020 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Meetings can be accessed by visiting https://nextransit.network/series1. Participants may also call in by dialing 855-925-2801 and using meeting code 8676.
Residents from communities across Allegheny County are encouraged to attend. Those unable to attend can still participate throughout via in-person community visits and phone-based surveys to that will be conducted later this summer.
“NEXTransit will give us the opportunity to inspire, innovate and implement ideas that promote a robust transit network that is accessible, equitable, reliable, flexible, comprehensive and safe,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Whether it’s an extension of a busway, adding more trips to an underserved community, or placing greater importance on alternative-fuel vehicles, we want to hear what riders and non-riders want from their public transit system.”
NEXTransit will help Port Authority prepare for future growth by identifying transit investments that integrate with regional plans and goals and by providing a clear roadmap on where to focus the agency’s energy and resources.
The input Port Authority receives will serve as a blueprint to meet the community’s vision for what public transportation in our region needs to accomplish in the coming decades to ensure residents have access to jobs, housing, healthcare, education and other services.
Port Authority launched NEXTransit on June 1. This community-based plan is being developed through a robust outreach process and conducted in collaboration with partner agencies in addition to public input.
Port Authority encourages community members, businesses and other stakeholders to learn more about NEXTransit and sign up for email alerts at https://nextransit.network/.
###
July 15 - Weekly COVID-19 case update
WEEKLY COVID-19 CASE UPDATE (July 15, 2020) – Six Port Authority employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of employee cases to 27.
Fifteen of these employees have been cleared to return to work. Eleven are at home recovering. One employee remains hospitalized.
Case #22
A service person at the East Liberty Garage, this employee tested positive on Thursday, July 9. They last worked on Wednesday, July 8 and has been in a medically directed self-quarantine since that time. The employee reports that they recently traveled out of state.
Case #23
A mechanic in the Auto Shop at South Hills Junction, this employee tested positive on Thursday, July 9. They last worked on Thursday, July 2 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time. The employee reported when initially placed in quarantine that they had been in close contact with a relative who recently tested positive for the virus.
Case #24
A bus operator at the East Liberty Garage, this employee tested positive on Friday, July 10. They last worked on Monday, July 6 and has been hospitalized since that time.
Case #25
A bus operator at the East Liberty Garage, this employee tested positive on Friday, July 10. They last worked on Thursday, July 2 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time. The employee reported that they recently traveled out of state.
Case #26
An employee who works in the light rail Systems and Power Department at South Hills Junction, this employee tested positive on Friday, July 10. The employee last worked on Wednesday, July 1 and has been in a medically directed precautionary self-quarantine since that time. The employee reported that two family members have also tested positive for the virus.
Case #27
A bus operator at the West Mifflin Garage, this employee tested positive on Saturday, July 11. The employee last worked on Wednesday, July 8, and has been off in a medically directed self-quarantine since that time.
As soon as these employees reported that they were self-quarantining pending the results of their tests, management at their respective work locations ordered a deep cleaning and sanitization of the facilities, and where appropriate, the last vehicles they drove.
In cases where the employee had been back to their work location, Port Authority also contracted a third-party company to deep clean and sanitize those areas.
Contact tracing investigations were completed by Port Authority’s System Safety Department for each of the employees. Any coworkers with whom they were identified to have been in close contact have been held off work as a precaution until they are medically cleared to return.
Additionally, as a result of these cases, Port Authority has begun or extended mandatory on-site temperature screenings at their work locations.
As with all previous cases, Port Authority confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
###
July 2020 Board Meetings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 10, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board will hold its committee and full Board meetings online this month as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board’s Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, and will be followed immediately by meetings of the Finance Committee, Performance Oversight Committee and Technology Committee.
The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 24.
To attend the online committee meetings or the full Board meeting, please register at www.portauthority.org/board or call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 to receive a call-in telephone number and access code.
Public comments are not taken at the Board committee meetings. Those who want to address the Board at its meeting on July 24 must both register to attend and separately register to address the Board at least five business days before the meeting. Please visit www.portauthority.org/Board to register to address the board.
Presentations to the Board are limited to three minutes for individuals, including individuals representing organizations, or five minutes total for an organization where more than one member of the organization is making the presentation.
All attendees are asked to keep their microphones muted throughout the duration of both meetings. Those registered to address the Board on July 24 will be unmuted at the appropriate time.
July 8 - Weekly COVID-19 Case Update
WEEKLY COVID-19 CASE UPDATE (July 8, 2020) – Four Port Authority employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since last week’s update, bringing the total number of cases to 21.
Three employees (Cases 18 through 20) tested positive on Saturday, July 4. One employee (Case #21) tested positive on Wednesday, July 8. All four are at home recovering.
Case #18 is mechanic who works out of a Port Authority facility at South Hills Junction. They last worked on June 30 and has been in a medically directed self-quarantine since that time.
Case #19 is a bus operator who works out of Port Authority’s East Liberty garage. They last worked on June 27 and has been in a medically directed self-quarantine since that time.
Case #20 is a bus operator who works out of Port Authority’s West Mifflin garage. They last worked on June 28 and has been in a medically directed self-quarantine since that time.
Case #21 is an auto shop employee who works out of a Port Authority facility at South Hills Junction (the same facility as Case #18). They last worked on July 2 and has been in a medically directed self-quarantine since that time.
As soon as these employees reported that they were self-quarantining pending the results of their tests, management at their respective work locations ordered a deep cleaning and sanitization of the facilities, and where appropriate, the last vehicles they drove. Port Authority also contracted a third-party company to deep clean and sanitize these areas.
Contact tracing investigations are underway for each of the employees, and coworkers with whom they were in close contact will be held off work as a precaution until they are medically cleared to return.
As a result of these cases, Port Authority will begin mandatory on-site temperature screenings at their work locations.
“This continues to be a trying time for our agency, the region and our nation as cases have begun increases again in recent weeks,” Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman said in a recent letter to all employees. “On behalf of myself, our Board and our entire management team, I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued efforts to keep our transit system running so we can connect customers to hospitals, grocery stores and other businesses and services as the region continues its efforts to reopen and recover.”
As with all previous cases, Port Authority confidentially reported these cases to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required at stops and stations, when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
Port Authority to begin two-year project in the Mount Washington Transit Tunnel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 2, 2020) – The Mount Washington Transit Tunnel will be closed for repairs each night for nearly two years beginning Monday, July 6, 2020.
Wellington Power Corporation will be replacing lighting and cable inside the tunnel.
Work will take place nightly from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. During these hours, the Mount Washington Transit Tunnel will be closed, and all Port Authority light rail vehicles and buses will be detoured through Allentown. To help ensure service is kept on schedule, Port Authority will not be adding light rail stops in Allentown.
The following detours will be in place each night from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. unless otherwise announced. Customers should plan for trips to take an additional 10 minutes in both directions.
Light Rail Detours
- All inbound and outbound light rail service will travel through Allentown between 8 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.
- Light rail vehicles will not be able to service Station Square Station. All other light rail stops will be served.
- Port Authority will provide a rail shuttle between First Avenue Station and Station Square Station.
- Riders traveling inbound and outbound to Station Square should exit at First Avenue Station and board the rail shuttle to Station Square Station.
- Riders at Station Square Station who are traveling outbound toward the South Hills should board the rail shuttle to First Avenue Station where they can then transfer to a Red, Blue or Silver Line rail car.
Bus Detours
- Bus routes 39, 40, 41, 44, Y46, Y47, and Y49 traveling inbound between 8 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. will be detoured through Allentown. All stops will be served.
- Bus routes 39, 40, 41, 44, Y46, Y47, and Y49 traveling outbound between 8 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. will be detoured through the Wabash. All stops will be served.
###
Weekly COVID-19 Case Update (July 1, 2020)
WEEKLY COVID-19 CASE UPDATE (July 1, 2020) - A seventeenth Port Authority employee tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
The employee is an operator who works out of Port Authority’s garage in West Mifflin. The employee has been at home in medically-directed self-quarantine since March 19.
Port Authority confidentially reported the information to the Allegheny County Health Department.
The Authority continues to have more than 100 employees absent from work due to precautionary self-quarantine, pre-existing health conditions or other coronavirus-related issues. Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible. Face coverings are required when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
###
Port Authority Service for July 3/4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 30, 2020) – Port Authority service will operate on Sunday/holiday schedules on Saturday, July 4, 2020, for Independence Day.
The Monongahela Incline will be open from 8:45 a.m. to midnight.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
On Friday, July 3, 2020, Port Authority service will operate on the existing weekday schedules, with some routes continuing to operate on modified schedules due to the coronavirus pandemic. Customer Service will be open regular hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Customers with questions about service are encouraged to visit Port Authority’s website or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
16th Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 29, 2020) – A 16th Port Authority employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee is an operator who works out of Port Authority’s garage in Collier. They last drove a Port Authority bus on Wednesday, June 24, and has been recovering at home since that time. It is believed that the employee contracted the virus while traveling out of state.
This is the first case at the Collier garage since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Upon learning of this employee's test result, Port Authority mobilized a maintenance crew to perform a deep cleaning of the Collier garage and the buses the operator most recently drove and will have an outside company to sanitize the facility. These efforts are in addition to the enhanced facility and vehicle cleanings already taking place daily.
Port Authority also confidentially reported the information to the Allegheny County Health Department.
The Authority continues to have more than 100 employees absent from work due to precautionary self-quarantine, pre-existing health conditions or other coronavirus-related issues. Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics.
Port Authority reminds all riders that vehicle capacity limits will remain in place so riders can socially distance as much as possible.
Face coverings are required when boarding and riding inside vehicles, and at the Downtown Service Center.
Beginning this week, Port Authority will provide weekly updates on any future cases each Wednesday. New cases between weekly updates will tallied at Port Authority’s dedicated coronavirus web page www.portauthority.org/coronavirus.
###
Port Authority employee tests positive for COVID-19, is agency's first case since May 5 and 15th overall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 25, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County was informed today that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the agency’s first case in more than six weeks.
The employee is an operator who works out of the West Mifflin garage. They last drove a Port Authority bus on Tuesday, June 23, and has been recovering at home since that time.
Port Authority has learned that the employee had been traveling out of state prior to being diagnosed. A contact tracing investigation is underway.
Port Authority has had 15 employees test positive for COVID-19 since the first case was reported on March. 26. This is the first case involving a Port Authority employee since May 5. All of those who tested positive have since recovered and have been medically cleared to return to work.
Upon learning of the most recent employee's test result, Port Authority mobilized a maintenance crew to perform a deep cleaning of the West Mifflin garage and the buses the operator most recently drove. These efforts were in addition to the enhanced facility and vehicle cleanings already taking place daily.
Port Authority also confidentially reported the information to the Allegheny County Health Department and has reached out to companies to solicit bids to further sanitize the West Mifflin garage, which is expected to take place Friday morning.
Earlier this week, Port Authority began testing use of an electronic temperature screening kiosk at the West Mifflin garage. Use of the kiosk had been optional but will now be mandatory for all employees entering the facility for at least 14 days.
Port Authority continues to follow the protocols and guidance issued by public health authorities in addressing potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Port Authority continues to have more than 100 employees absent from work due to precautionary self-quarantine, pre-existing health conditions or other coronavirus-related issues. Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics.
###
New Tool Helps Port Authority Customers Social Distance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 22, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County today launched a new online tool to help riders plan trips with safe social distancing in mind.
The new Room2Ride tool shows riders how many other people they can expect on their bus when it gets to their stop by providing color-coded results based on the vehicle capacity limits established as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The tool can be found at www.PortAuthority.org/Room2Ride.
"As our region opens for business, we want to make sure that our riders are equipped with as much information as possible so they can make the best decisions for themselves," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
In April, Port Authority set vehicle capacity limits to encourage social distancing and provide riders more space to spread out:
- 10 riders on a 35-foot bus
- 15 riders on a 40-foot bus
- 25 riders on a 60-foot articulated bus or light rail car
Using two weeks of historical data, Room2Ride shows how many riders have been on a particular trip at scheduled bus stop timepoints:
- Blue means the vehicle capacity is below the capacity limit
- Gray means the vehicle is at the limit
- Orange means the vehicle is above the limit
Room2Ride will be updated weekly and will reflect new capacity limits as coronavirus restrictions ease.
Port Authority already provides real-time vehicle capacity information with TrueTime, an online trip planning and vehicle tracking tool that can be found at www.PortAuthority.org/TrueTime.
For more information, riders are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via Live Chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
Light Rail Service to Resume Regular Schedule on Monday, June 22, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 18, 2020) – Port Authority light rail service will return to regular schedules on Monday, June 22, 2020.
Single cars will operate throughout the day so employees can keep up daily disinfecting protocols. Two-car trains are normally in service during rush hour.
Bus service will continue to operate at current levels, with thirty-two bus routes remaining on reduced schedules. Current schedules are available here.
To allow passengers room for social distancing, vehicle capacity restrictions will be maintained:
- 10 passengers on 35-foot buses
- 15 passengers on 40-foot buses
- 25 passengers on 60-foot articulated buses and light rail vehicles
Riders are also required to wear face coverings while on board vehicles.
For additional information or questions about schedules, riders are encouraged to contact Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, via Twitter @pghtransitcare or via Live Chat at www.portauthority.org.
###
June Meetings of the Port Authority of Allegheny County Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 12, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board will hold its committee and full Board meetings online this month as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board’s Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, and will be followed immediately by meetings of the Finance Committee and Performance Oversight Committee. The Technology Committee will not meet this month.
The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 26.
To attend the online committee meetings or the full Board meeting, please register at www.portauthority.org/board or call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 to receive a call-in telephone number and access code.
Public comments are not taken at the Board committee meetings. Those who want to address the Board at its meeting on June 26 must both register to attend and separately register to address the Board at least five business days before the meeting. Please visit www.portauthority.org/Board to register to address the board.
Presentations to the Board are limited to three minutes for individuals, including individuals representing organizations, or five minutes total for an organization where more than one member of the organization is making the presentation.
All attendees are asked to keep their microphones muted throughout the duration of both meetings. Those registered to address the Board on June 26 will be unmuted at the appropriate time.
###
South Fayette Park and Ride to close July 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 2, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County will discontinue service to the South Fayette Park and Ride on Saturday, July 4, 2020.
The owner of the park and ride property, located at 100 Hickory Grade Road, is ending its agreement with the Authority to allow plans for a new development at the location. The Authority continues to look for alternate parking options in the area.
Due to the closure, the 31-Bridgeville and G31-Bridgeville Flyer will no longer serve the park and ride lot. No other stops will be missed.
Port Authority customers who regularly park at South Fayette Park and Ride are encouraged to park at South Hills Village Garage. The daily parking fee for South Hills Village Garage is $2 a day, or $22 for a monthly parking pass.
Woodville Park and Ride is also available and is served by both the 31-Bridgeville and G31-Bridgeville Flyer, but quickly fills to capacity on weekday mornings.
For trip planning assistance, riders are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at PortAuthority.org.
###
Port Authority launches “NEXTransit,” a long-range plan to guide the public transit system of our future
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 1, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County today officially launched public engagement for “NEXTransit,” an intensive long-range planning effort to identify public transit needs and opportunities for our region through 2045.
A blueprint for the future of public transportation in the region, NEXTransit will guide the community’s vision for what our public transportation system needs to accomplish in the coming decades to ensure residents have access to jobs, housing, healthcare, education and other services.
NEXTransit will help Port Authority prepare for future growth by identifying transit investments that integrate with regional plans and goals, and provide a clear roadmap on where to focus our energy and resources.
“We’re looking forward to hearing ideas that promote a robust public transit network that is accessible, equitable, reliable, flexible, comprehensive and most importantly safe," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Our goal is to ensure that your contribution and input will shape our future service, planning efforts and initiatives.”
NEXTransit begins and ends with comprehensive public input. Although outreach may look a bit different in a post-COVID-19 world, Port Authority is committed to ensuring our outreach is as inclusive as possible. And as our region reopens, we will engage directly with the community in a manner that is safe but accessible to all.
Port Authority encourages community members, businesses and other stakeholders to learn more about NEXTransit and sign up for email alerts at https://nextransit.network/.
###
Front-door board to resume June 1, fare collection to resume June 8
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 21, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County will reinstate front-door boarding on buses on Monday, June 1.
Regular fare collection will resume a week later, on Monday, June 8.
Until June 1, most passengers will continue to board and exit buses from the rear doors. Passengers who need the bus to be kneeled or use the accessible ramp will continue to be able to use the front doors.
In the meantime, Port Authority will continue installing protective plexiglass shields inside vehicles that aren’t equipped with them. The shields serve as a protective barrier between passengers and vehicle operators; about three-quarters of Port Authority’s fleet of 720 buses have protective shields installed.
Port Authority is also installing hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the system. More than 50 hand sanitizer dispensers have already been installed systemwide.
“The health and safety of our employees remains our highest priority, even as our community begins to rebound from the devastating effects this virus has caused,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
Riders are encouraged to purchase stored value or weekly passes until July’s monthly pass goes on sale on June 16. Stored value can be used at any time and does not expire. Port Authority continues to offer customers refunds for unused time-based passes.
Fares products can be purchased online at www.PortAuthority.org, at local Giant Eagle stores, open Goodwill locations, at the Downtown Service Center, or at ConnectCard machines throughout Allegheny County. In addition to vehicles and stations, ConnectCard machines are disinfected daily.
The Downtown Service Center will continue to be open reduced hours, although window sales will resume on Thursday, May 28.
Customers who obtain their transit passes through an employer-sponsored program should talk to their program administrator.
To help mitigate the spread of germs, riders are asked to continue to wear face coverings. Vehicle capacity limits will remain in place until further notice.
For questions about ConnectCard balances, bus schedules, refunds or other issues, please contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.portauthority.org.
For information on Port Authority’s COVID-19 response efforts, please visit https://www.portauthority.org/coronavirus/.
###
Port Authority Service for Memorial Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 19, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County bus and light rail service will operate on Sunday schedules on Monday, May 25, 2020, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
Port Authority Customer Service representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Authority’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Riders are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at PortAuthority.org.
###
Most Port Authority Bus Routes Returning to Regular Weekday Schedules
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 14, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County will restore several bus routes to regular weekday schedules beginning Monday, May 18.
VIEW THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE MAY 18
An additional 32 routes, including all three light rail lines, will continue to operate on reduced service schedules while Port Authority’s Service Development team monitors ridership levels. Adjustments will be made to accommodate ridership where possible.
The measures and precautions Port Authority has out into place to mitigate the spread of the virus will continue until further notice, including disinfecting vehicles and stations daily, asking riders to wear masks while on board vehicles and visiting the Downtown Service Center, and rear-door boarding.
Vehicle capacity limits will remain unchanged:
• 10 passengers on a 35-foot bus
• 15 passengers on a 45-foot bus
• 25 passengers on a 60-foot articulated bus or light rail car
“This plan of action will allow us to safely and responsibly resume regular service while continuing to make sure our riders and employees feel safe, comfortable and protected,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
Riders should allow for additional travel time and physically distance themselves from other riders and employees as much as possible while on board vehicles and waiting at transit stops.
“The hard-working men and women of ATU Local 85 have been honored to play such a vital role in making sure communities throughout Allegheny County have had access to essential services in the red phase, and we will continue to make sure our region is successful through the yellow phase,” said Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 President/Business Agent Steve Palonis, whose union represents more than 2,000 Port Authority operators and mechanics.
Although most routes will see regular service schedules, Port Authority’s workforce continues to feel the impact of COVID-19, and absenteeism remains at higher-than-normal levels. All service is contingent upon employee and equipment availability, and service adjustments will be made as needed to operate as much service as possible with the personnel available.
Riders are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or at www.portauthority.org. Details can also be found at www.portauthority.org/coronavirus
###
May Board Meetings to Again Be Held Virtually
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 14, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board will once again hold its committee and full Board meetings virtually this month as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board’s Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee meeting will be begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, and will be followed immediately by the Finance Committee, Performance Oversight Committee and Technology Committee meetings.
The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29.
Those who want to virtually attend the committee meetings or full Board meeting can request to receive a meeting invitation up to one hour before the scheduled start time by registering at www.portauthority.org/board or by calling Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 to receive a call-in telephone number and access code.
Public comments will not be taken at the Board committee meetings. However, those who want to address the Board at its full meeting on May 29 must both register to attend the meeting and separately register to address the Board at least five days prior to the meeting. Please visit www.portauthority.org/Board to register to address the board.
All attendees are asked to keep their microphones muted throughout the duration of both meetings. Those registered to address the Board on May 29 will be unmuted at the appropriate time.
###
Fourteenth Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 10, 2020) - A Port Authority bus driver has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the agency’s total number of employees who have tested positive to fourteen.
The employee last worked on Tuesday, May 5, and is currently being treated at a local hospital.
This is the third Port Authority employee who works at the East Liberty garage to test positive. The previous cases were reported on April 10 and March 26.
Upon learning of the case late Saturday night, Port Authority mobilized a maintenance team to disinfect vehicles the employee had most recently operated and areas of the building where the employee was known to have been. An outside company will be brought in to disinfect the building as early as today.
Beginning this week, all employees at the East Liberty garage will go through temperature checks as they enter the facility for at least 14 days. Any employee whose temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be sent home, with pay.
Port Authority has sought to minimize the spread of the virus by disinfecting vehicles more frequently, promoting social distancing, having customers board from the back doors, limiting the number of passengers on vehicles, and asking riders to cover their faces when riding.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees. As of Friday, 39 employees were being held out of work pending COVID-19 testing and 89 employees had tested negative.
Thirteenth Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 1, 2020) - Port Authority continues to take extra precautions and increased cleaning at its West Mifflin garage, where a thirteenth Port Authority employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee last worked on Sunday, April 26, and has since been in self-quarantine. This is the eleventh case at the West Mifflin garage and the ninth involving a maintenance employee at this location.
Since this employee was in the facility since the last time the building was deep cleaned, the garage will again be deep cleaned by an outside company tomorrow, Saturday, May 2.
“Now, more than ever, people need access to reliable public transportation,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “We will continue to provide reliable public transit to the thousands of people who rely on us as long as we can continue to do so safely.”
The West Mifflin garage provides service to nearly 15,000 riders a day to several communities in the southwestern part of Allegheny County. Riders in these neighborhoods are essential workers commuting to jobs in Squirrel Hill, Oakland and downtown Pittsburgh.
In addition to steps that Port Authority has been taken to minimize the spread of the virus, every bus leaving and returning to the West Mifflin garage will be sanitized before any other employee touches it.
Port Authority safety officials are also taking additional steps, such as contact tracing, to focus on the area primarily affected. Several other steps have been taken in recent weeks to curtail the spread at this location and protect employees, including:
- The entire West Mifflin garage has been deep cleaned and sanitized twice in the last two weeks. It will again be deep cleaned on Saturday morning.
- Employees’ temperatures have been taken as they arrive at the garage since last Sunday. Any employee with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit would be sent home, with pay, until cleared to return to work by their medical provider.
- All Port Authority vehicles, from all garages, have been disinfected daily for weeks to help minimize the spread of the virus.
- All Port Authority facilities are cleaned and disinfected on all three shifts.
- The Authority has encouraged those who don’t have to travel to stay home, and for those who must ride, to social distance, wear masks and board from the rear doors.
Port Authority also has sought to minimize the spread of the virus by disinfecting vehicles more frequently, promoting social distancing, having customers board from the back doors, limiting the number of passengers on vehicles, and asking riders to cover their faces when riding.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. As of Thursday, Port Authority had 98 employees off work awaiting COVID-19 testing, 52 employees who have returned to work since testing negative and one employee has returned to work after having previously tested positive.
###
Port Authority Customer Service to resume regular hours of operation on Monday, May 4, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Port Authority’s Customer Service has successfully transitioned to working remotely and will resume regular hours of operation beginning Monday, May 4, 2020.
Customer Service representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Customer Service can be reached by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via live chat at www.PortAutority.org during those hours.
The Downtown Service Center, located at 623 Smithfield Street, will continue to be open reduced hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. The Downtown Service Center is closed on weekends and holidays. All visitors are required to wear masks.
###
Twelfth Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 28, 2020) - A twelfth Port Authority of Allegheny County employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works in maintenance at the West Mifflin garage. They last worked on Tuesday, April 21, and has since been in self-quarantine.
The entire West Mifflin garage has been deep cleaned and sanitized twice in the last two weeks, most recently on Friday, April 24. This is the tenth case at the West Mifflin garage and the eighth case involving a maintenance employee at this location.
In response to this cluster of cases, Port Authority on Sunday began taking employees’ temperatures before starting their shift. Any employee with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be sent home, with pay, until cleared to return to work by their medical provider.
Additionally, the Authority is continuing to work with public health officials to implement any additional recommendations and will also reinforce with all employees recommended hygiene protocols and social distancing guidelines.
Port Authority has sought to minimize the spread of the virus by disinfecting vehicles more frequently, promoting social distancing, having customers board from the back doors, limiting the number of passengers on vehicles, and asking riders to cover their faces when riding.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. As of today, Port Authority has 97 employees awaiting COVID-19 testing. Fifty-two employees have returned to work since testing negative.
###
Eleventh Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 27, 2020) - An eleventh Port Authority of Allegheny County employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works in maintenance at the West Mifflin garage. They last worked on Monday, April 20, and has since been in self-quarantine.
The entire West Mifflin garage has been deep cleaned and sanitized twice in the last two weeks, most recently on Friday, April 24. This is the ninth case at the West Mifflin garage and seventh among the maintenance employees who work there.
In response to this cluster of cases, Port Authority on Sunday began taking employees' temperatures before starting their shift. Any employee with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be sent home, with pay, until cleared to return to work by their medical provider.
Additionally, the Authority is continuing to work with public health officials to implement any additional recommendations and will also reinforce with all employees recommended hygiene protocols and social distancing guidelines.
Port Authority has sought to minimize the spread of the virus by disinfecting vehicles more frequently, promoting social distancing, having customers board from the back doors, limiting the number of passengers on vehicles, and asking riders to cover their faces when riding.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. As of today, Port Authority has 93 employees awaiting COVID-19 testing. Fifty-one employees have returned to work since testing negative.
###
Tenth Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 24, 2020) – A tenth Port Authority of Allegheny County employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works in maintenance at the West Mifflin garage and last worked on Tuesday, April 21. The employee has been off since Tuesday in self-quarantine.
The entire West Mifflin garage was deep cleaned and sanitized by Service Master of Greater Pittsburgh today after consultation with union leadership as there has been a cluster of positive COVID-19 cases among maintenance personnel at this facility. This is the sixth case at that location.
Other steps being taken at this facility:
• Starting at midnight today, the number of maintenance employees working during each shift was further reduced so there are no more than 10 maintenance employees working on any shift.
• Starting at midnight on Sunday, all employees at this location will have their temperatures taken before starting their shift. Any employee with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be sent home, with pay, until cleared by their medical provider to return to work.
The Authority is continuing to work with public health officials to implement any additional recommendations and will also reinforce with all employees recommended hygiene protocols and social distancing guidelines.
“We wish this employee a speedy recovery and our thoughts go out to all of our employees affected by the virus," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Our team is focused on this cluster of cases at West Mifflin and we have been working with union leadership to address this. We are doing everything we can to balance the safety of our employees and maintaining critical transit services that operate out of this garage."
Port Authority has sought to minimize the spread of the virus by disinfecting vehicles more frequently, promoting social distancing, having customers board from the back doors, limiting the number of passengers on vehicles, and asking riders to cover their faces when riding.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics.
###
Ninth Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 23, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County has received confirmation that a maintenance employee who works at its West Mifflin garage has tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases to nine Port Authority employees, including five who work in maintenance at this location.
The employee last worked on Monday, April 20, 2020, and has been at home in quarantine since then.
After consulting with union leadership, Port Authority has decided to further reduce the number of maintenance employees working during each shift and will once again bring in a contractor to clean and disinfect the facility.
Beginning Sunday, all employees at this location will have their temperatures taken before starting their shift. Any employee with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be sent home, with pay.
The Authority is continuing to work with public health officials to implement any additional recommendations and will also reinforce with all employees recommended hygiene protocols and social distancing guidelines.
“First and foremost, on behalf of the Board and all of our employees, we wish our coworkers a speedy recovery,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “We are obviously very concerned about the recent spate of cases at West Mifflin and are working with union leadership to do everything we can to ensure no one else falls ill.”
Port Authority has sought to minimize the spread of the virus by disinfecting vehicles more frequently, promoting social distancing, having customers board from the back doors, limiting the number of passengers on vehicles, and asking riders to cover their faces when riding.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. As of today, Port Authority had 85 employees being held out of work pending COVID-19 testing. Forty-nine employees have returned to work since testing negative.
###
Eighth Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 22, 2020) – An eighth Port Authority employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works in maintenance at the Authority's garage in West Mifflin. They last worked on Friday, April 10, and has been in self-quarantine at home since then.
Although the employee worked in the same areas as three other employees who tested positive in the past week, none have been inside the facility since Saturday, when Port Authority brought in an outside cleaning company to disinfect the building.
As an additional precaution, Port Authority has reduced its maintenance team at this location to a skeleton crew for the next two weeks in an effort to prevent further spread.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. As of this morning, Port Authority had 76 employees being held out of work pending COVID-19 testing. Forty-eight employees have returned to work since testing negative.
###
Seventh Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 20, 2020) - A seventh Port Authority employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works in maintenance at the Authority’s garage in West Mifflin. They last worked on Friday, April 17, and has been in self-quarantine at home since then.
Upon learning of the new case, Port Authority immediately mobilized a crew to perform a deep cleaning of the garage and the employee’s work areas.
Because this is the third maintenance employee at this location to test positive for COVID-19 in the last four days, Port Authority is working with the Allegheny County Health Department to determine what additional actions can be taken. This weekend, Port Authority moved the maintenance team at this facility to a holiday work schedule while an outside cleaning company disinfected the building.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. As of this morning, Port Authority had 68 employees being held out of work pending COVID-19 testing.
###
New State Mask Order for Transit Riders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 19, 2020) - Starting tonight, Port Authority will take added steps to comply with a new state health order directed at riders not wearing face coverings.
There is no change for riders who are already wearing face coverings on vehicles. Those who board without a face covering, however, now will be questioned by the operator and asked to cover their face while on the vehicle. Only those citing economic or health reasons may ride without a face covering. Also, children ages two or under do not require a face covering.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health last evening issued a clarification to Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine’s April 15 order that applies to mass transit systems in the state. The change will be implemented at 8 pm tonight.
"The state's order clearly means riders should wear face coverings while on transit vehicles," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "We want to do our part to uphold this statewide order and protect both our customers and employees."
Port Authority already has been encouraging riders to wear face coverings on vehicles, and also implemented additional measures to better protect customers and operators. These included implementing a rear-door boarding policy and limiting the number of riders on a vehicle to provide more space and prevent overcrowding.
Tonight's change means that a rider boarding a vehicle without a face covering will be questioned by the operator. If the customer cites one of the state-allowed exceptions, the rider may continue to board without a face covering. Otherwise, the operator will ask the customer to cover their face while on the vehicle.
Riders who refuse to wear a face covering, but not cite one of the exceptions, will cause a delay in service as the vehicle will not proceed. Port Authority will not forcibly remove these riders from vehicles. The Authority will address these cases individually in a safe and reasonable manner.
The Pennsylvania Health Department has resources available on its website www.health.pa.gov on how to make a homemade mask.
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus or sign up for notifications via phone, email or text message by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts.
###
Sixth Port Authority Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 18, 2020) - A sixth Port Authority employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works in maintenance at the Authority's garage in West Mifflin. They last worked on Monday, April 13, and has been in self-quarantine at home since then.
Since this is the second West Mifflin maintenance employee to test positive in the last two days, Port Authority will move its maintenance team at this location to a holiday work schedule this weekend while an outside company is brought in to complete a deep clean of the entire facility.
Transit service will not be impacted.
Port Authority continues to follow the protocols and guidance issued by public health authorities in addressing potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. As of Friday, Port Authority had 59 employees being held out of work pending COVID-19 testing.
###
Face Coverings to be Required at Downtown Service Center Beginning Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 17, 2020) – Beginning Monday, April 20, Port Authority will require visitors to its Downtown Service Center wear masks or other face coverings before entering the premises to comply with an order from Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine.
Two ConnectCard machines are conveniently located in the vestibule of the service center and at least one is located inside every light rail station in the Downtown Business District.
Port Authority continues to strongly encourage passengers wear masks or other face covering while on our vehicles.
The Downtown Service Center is open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
###
Fifth Port Authority Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 17, 2020) - A fifth Port Authority employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works in maintenance at the Authority’s garage in West Mifflin. They last worked on Friday, April 10, and has been in self-quarantine since then.
Port Authority has mobilized a crew to immediately perform a deep cleaning of the West Mifflin garage and the employee’s work areas. Another employee with whom the infected employee works closely has been directed to self-quarantine at home, with pay, pending medical clearance.
Port Authority continues to follow the protocols and guidance issued by public health authorities in addressing potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics.
As of today, Port Authority has 59 employees being held out of work pending COVID-19 testing.
###
Port Authority's April Board and Board committee meetings to be held virtually
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 14, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Board and Board committee meetings will be held virtually this month due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Performance Oversight and Monitoring Committee and Finance Committee will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2020, via WebEx. The Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee and Technology Committee meetings have been canceled.
Port Authority’s full Board will meet virtually at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 24, also via WebEx.
For both meetings, those interested in attending must pre-register at least one hour before each meeting. Those who want to attend should visit www.PortAuthority.org/Board to register or call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 to request the dial-in phone number.
No public comment will be heard at the committee meetings.
Those who want to address the board at the April 24 Board meeting must both register to attend and separately register to address the board. Both ways to register can be found at the link above.
Once registered, you will receive an email invitation to connect. A standard conference call line is also available by dialing 1-866-602-5089 and entering conference ID 9350014.
Attendees are asked to keep their microphones muted throughout duration of both meetings. Those registered to address the Board on April 24 meeting will be unmuted at the appropriate time.
###
Port Authority Employee Self-reports Testing Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 10, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County was informed today that a fourth employee has reported testing positive for COVID-19.
The employee, a bus driver who has been on light duty since February 12, works out of the East Liberty garage, is at home after last working early April 9. No other information will be provided to protect the employee’s identity.
After the employee reported they had tested positive for COVID-19, Port Authority mobilized a maintenance crew to perform a deep cleaning of the East Liberty garage and the buses the employee would have been in contact with. These efforts were in addition to the enhanced facility and vehicle cleanings that are already taking place on a daily basis. Port Authority also confidentially reported the information to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority continues to follow the protocols and guidance issued by public health authorities in addressing potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics.
###
Port Authority to Implement Vehicle Capacity Limits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 9, 2020) - Beginning Monday, April 13, 2020, Port Authority will be limiting how many people are permitted on buses and light rail vehicles.
To make sure riders have enough space to spread out and to prevent overcrowding, effective at the start of service:
- No more than 10 riders will be permitted on a 35-foot bus at one time
- No more than 15 riders will be permitted on a 40-foot bus at one time
- No more than 25 riders will be permitted on a 60-foot articulated bus or light rail vehicle at one time
If a vehicle reaches the maximum number of riders, drivers have been instructed to not pick up new passengers until others exit. If standby vehicles are available, they will be sent to pick up riders who have been passed up.
"First and foremost, we're asking riders who don't have to be on our vehicles to stay home," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "There are a lot of essential workers keeping our region going right now and it's important that they have a seat. Please stay off transit unless you’re heading to or from an essential job, or you’re traveling to the grocery store or pharmacy."
Port Authority is also strongly encouraging those who continue to use public transit to wear masks. The Pennsylvania Health Department has resources available on its website www.health.pa.gov on how to make a homemade mask.
"We know that all of these recent changes haven’t been easy or convenient — we’ve been asking a lot from our riders," Kelleman said. "But these restrictions will help our community get through this so we can get back to serving you normally as soon as possible."
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus or sign up for notifications via phone, email or text message by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts.
###
Port Authority Service for Good Friday, April 10, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 9, 2020) – Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on the current modified weekday service on Friday, April 10, 2020.
Port Authority’s Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Good Friday. Customer Service will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
###
Third Port Authority Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 9, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County was informed today that a third employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee, a bus driver who works out of the West Mifflin garage, has been in medically-directed self-quarantine since March 23, and has not been to work since March 13. No other information will be provided to protect the employee’s identity.
Upon learning of the employee's diagnosis, Port Authority mobilized a maintenance crew to perform a deep cleaning of the West Mifflin garage and the buses the operator drove on their last day of work.
These efforts were in addition to the enhanced facility and vehicle cleanings that are already taking place on a daily basis. Port Authority also confidentially reported the information to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Port Authority continues to follow the protocols and guidance issued by public health authorities in addressing potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Mobile: 412-770-7150
Email: abrandolph@portauthority.org
Port Authority Launches 'Stay Home' Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 7, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County today launched a campaign to remind customers that they should be staying home unless they are essential workers or traveling for life-sustaining reasons.
Riders who must leave home for essential trips like going grocery shopping or picking up prescription medication should consider traveling between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when fewer people are using public transit. Riders will soon see signs throughout the Authority’s system and on social media reinforcing these messages.
“We want our customers to know we’re here for them if they need us, but we need to save room for those trips that are absolutely essential," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
Despite a 25 percent reduction in service and an 80 percent drop in weekday ridership, certain trips on a handful of routes remain busy to the point where riders are unable to practice safe physical distancing.
Port Authority has instated several measures over the last month attempting to limit spread of the virus, including reducing service and hours to limit exposure, cleaning and disinfecting vehicles daily, and having riders board and exit from the rear doors. The Authority is also redeploying 60-foot articulated buses on busier trips.
As the virus continues to spread, Port Authority anticipates that an increasing number of its employees will be out of work for COVID-19-related reasons. Port Authority anticipates additional service reductions may also be required.
"We have an obligation to make sure our employees remain safe and healthy," Kelleman said. "But we need to balance that with ensuring that we're able to connect the residents of Allegheny County to essential services during this difficult time."
In addition to decreased ridership, the global pandemic has also posed a substantial threat to the Authority's finances. Port Authority currently projects a $30 million impact through the end of June due to lower passenger and advertising revenue, and increased costs. The Authority is working to determine the impact on state and local subsidies, which could more than double the $30 million estimate.
Port Authority is eligible for $141.75 million in federal funding that has been made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed into law by President Trump on March 27. The Authority is reviewing the CARES Act to determine allowable uses.
###
Second Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 4, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County was informed today that a second employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee, a bus driver who works out of the West Mifflin garage, has been in medically-directed self-quarantine since April 1, and has not been to work since March 21. No other information will be provided to protect the employee’s identity.
Upon learning of the employee's diagnosis, Port Authority mobilized a maintenance crew to perform a deep cleaning of the West Mifflin garage and the last bus the operator had driven.
These efforts were in addition to the enhanced facility and vehicle cleanings that were completed when the operator first reported being off and those that are already taking place on a daily basis. The information was also confidentially reported to the Allegheny County Health Department.
"On behalf of our Board and the entire management team, I want to extend our thoughts and best wishes to the employee to make a full and speedy recovery," Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman said.
Port Authority continues to follow the protocols and guidance issued by public health authorities in addressing potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics.
Port Authority CEO Extends Thank You for Support of Public Transit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 3, 2020) – Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman today extended her sincere appreciation to federal, state and local officials for their efforts in supporting public transit during the ongoing global pandemic.
Congress last week approved a federal stimulus bill aimed at ensuring residents will continue to have access to public transit long after the crisis is over. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act provides $25 billion in aid to transit agencies nationwide. Port Authority is eligible for $141.75 million.
“I’d like to thank our Congressional delegation for their quick action as we continue to weather this storm and eventually recover from the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on our industry,” Kelleman said. “For many of our neighbors in Allegheny County, public transit is their only way to get groceries, medicine and other essential goods.
“Although we encourage people to stay at home, it’s imperative that we continue to provide service for those who can least afford to do so.”
Port Authority has experienced historic decreases in ridership since the first week of March. Ridership had decreased by as much as 80 percent in the last days of the month.
Weekday | 2019 March Avg | Ridership | % Change from March 2019 |
---|---|---|---|
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 | 198,726 | 45,861 | -77% |
Thursday, March 26, 2020 | 198,726 | 50,476 | -75% |
Friday, March 27, 2020 | 198,726 | 38,820 | -80% |
Saturday, March 28, 2020 | 96,728 | 29,903 | -69% |
Sunday, March 29, 2020 | 62,916 | 27,066 | -57% |
Monday, March 30, 2020 | 198,726 | 40,124 | -80% |
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 | 198,726 | 32,292 | -84% |
In addition to the significant drop in ridership, the global pandemic has also posed a substantial threat to the Authority's finances. Port Authority currently projects an estimated $30 million operating budget impact through the end of June, a figure includes approximately $6.5 million in reduced passenger and advertising revenue and increased expenses each month, and increased expenses, including an additional $200,000 a week in costs associated with more frequent leaning protocols and acquiring personal protective equipment like gloves and hand sanitizer.
The Authority is also working to determine the impact on state and local subsidies, which could dramatically increase that estimate.
###
Port Authority Temporarily Modifies Lost and Found Procedures
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 1, 2020) - To reduce the amount of contact employees have with members of the public during the ongoing global pandemic, Port Authority will temporarily modify its regular lost and found procedures until further notice.
Beginning Thursday, April 2, 2020, customers will only be permitted to pick up wallets, government IDs or passports, credit cards and checkbooks, personal electronic devices and items valued at more than $300. Customers are asked to arrange for pick up by calling Customer Service so physical distancing can be practiced.
Port Authority will hold all other items until the regular lost and found procedure is reinstated.
Riders are encouraged to continue reporting items that may have been lost on Port Authority vehicles. If lost items are recovered, customers will receive a claim number for pick up at a later date.
Customers can report lost items by calling Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or online at www.PortAuthority.org/CustomerService.
###
Customer Service Hours to be Reduced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 28, 2020) – Due to ongoing events, Port Authority Customer Service will be open reduced hours beginning Monday, March 30, 2020.
Customer Service representatives will be available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, including weekends.
Representatives can be reached by calling 412-442-2000, on Twitter @pghtransitcare or via Port Authority’s live chat service at www.PortAuthority.org.
###
Port Authority Confirms First COVID-19 Case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 26, 2020) – Port Authority of Allegheny County has confirmed its first employee having tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
The employee, a bus operator, is under medical supervision at a local hospital. Based on current information, the employee was exposed outside of work. No other information will be provided to protect the employee’s identity.
Since learning of the employee’s diagnosis, Port Authority has followed all of the protocols recommended and advised by the Centers for Disease Control and the Allegheny County Health Department, including holding the employee out of work when they first reported their symptoms, disinfecting areas where they may have been, and closely monitoring their coworkers.
“First and foremost, we want to wish our employee a speedy recovery,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “The health and safety of our employees is our top priority now more than ever, and while this case hits close to home, it will not deter us from continuing to provide bus, rail and ACCESS service during this difficult time. We’re in this together and we will get through it together.”
Port Authority has been actively disinfecting vehicles and common work areas daily since March 14 to protect both customers and employees. Yesterday, Port Authority customers began boarding from the rear doors of buses as an additional layer of protection.
Port Authority has more than 2,600 employees, including 1,300 operators and 800 mechanics. Earlier this month, Port Authority and its unions agreed that employees held out of work for COVID-19-related issues would continue to be paid with medical certification.
###
Port Authority Reduces Downtown Service Center Hours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 25, 2020) - Effective immediately, Port Authority's Downtown Service Center will temporarily operate on a reduced schedule in response to the global pandemic.
The Downtown Service Center will operate from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Window transactions at the Service Center will be limited to the replacement of ConnectCards. Fees for such transactions will be waived.
Customers who need to purchase fare products are asked to use the ConnectCard web portal or a ConnectCard machine to limit person-to-person interactions.
Also due to current events, Port Authority is temporarily suspending the issuance of Senior ConnectCards. The Senior ConnectCard program will resume once the COVID-19 situation has ended.
Customers are additionally reminded that nearly every route is now operating on a reduced service schedule and bus passengers now are being asked to board at the rear door. The new schedules can be found at www.portauthority.org/coronavirus.
Port Authority will continue working in close cooperation with federal, state and local health agencies during this crisis and will continue to monitor ridership as the situation evolves.
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus or sign up for notifications via phone, email or text message by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts and selecting OVID-19.
For Port Authority information, please visit www.portauthority.org/coronavirus, follow us on Twitter @pghtransit or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority to Implement New Operational Procedures Beginning Wednesday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 24, 2020) - Port Authority will temporarily implement new operational procedures to promote physical distancing and help to further reduce the spread of germs and illness during the ongoing global pandemic.
Effective at the start of service on Wednesday, March 25, 2020:
- • Customers will board and exit through the rear doors of buses, away from our drivers. Front door boarding will be reserved for passengers who need the bus to be lowered, to use the ramp or require priority seating.
- • Bus riders will simply show their ConnectCard or other fare product to the operator as they board through the rear doors; cash fares will not be collected due to the restriction. Light rail riders will continue to pay at onboard and offboard fareboxes.
"We are committed to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community, and it is our belief that this small measure will go a long way," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "While we continue to discourage anyone from going out who doesn't have to, those who still need to are encouraged to use proper hygiene and maintain your distance from each other."
As a reminder, reduced weekday service will also go into effect Wednesday. All routes will continue to operate, but less frequently than usual.
The modified schedules can be found at www.portauthority.org/coronavirus. Customers without internet access are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service as paper schedules will not be printed.
Weekend service will follow regular weekend schedules. Buses that don't regularly operate on Saturdays or Sundays will not operate on those days under the modified schedules.
Port Authority will continue working in close cooperation with federal, state and local health agencies during this crisis and will continue to monitor ridership as the situation evolves.
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus or sign up for notifications via phone, email or text message by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts and select COVID-19.
For Port Authority information, please visit www.portauthority.org/coronavirus, follow us on Twitter @pghtransit or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority to Begin Operating on Reduced Schedules
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 23, 2020) - Port Authority of Allegheny County will reduce bus and light rail service by approximately 25 percent beginning Wednesday, March 25, 2020, due to substantial decreases in ridership and operational challenges brought on by the ongoing global pandemic.
The reduction balances the Authority’s need to protect frontline employees while maintaining service for essential trips taken by hospital staff, government officials and emergency responders. It takes into account public guidance from state and local leaders, along with emergency orders to cancel events, close schools and offices, and limit social gatherings across the nation.
“Our region is speaking with one voice: If you don’t need to go out, please stay home,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
Port Authority’s ridership has plummeted more than 50 percent in the past two weeks. As a result, riders will continue to be able to practice social distancing while on board vehicles.
Port Authority worked closely with its union leadership to develop the plan and spoke with the region's largest healthcare providers to ensure that service will remain available for customers who work in essential jobs or who need access to essential services.
With fewer buses required, Authority crews will be better able to keep up with the daily disinfecting schedule. Bus and light rail operators will also be able to practice proper social distancing protocols while they remain on stand-by.
Port Authority staff will continue to evaluate service levels to determine if further adjustments are needed.
Customers are reminded that although Port Authority's TrueTime service will be able to provide vehicle location information, trip planning services will not be available.
Schedules for individual routes are available at www.PortAuthority.org/coronavirus. Paper schedules will not be printed.
Saturday and Sunday service will follow regular schedules. Buses that do not regularly operate on Saturdays or Sundays will not operate under the modified schedules.
Port Authority will continue working in close cooperation with federal, state and local health agencies during the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to monitor ridership as the situation continues to evolve.
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus or sign up for notifications via phone, email or text message by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts and select COVID-19 under the categories of Health Department/Health & Environment.
For updated Port Authority information, please visit www.portauthority.org/coronavirus, follow us on Twitter @pghtransit or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority's March Board Meetings Canceled
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 20, 2020) – Port Authority’s Board has canceled its previously rescheduled meetings for March.
Committee meetings had been rescheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020, after which the Board was expected to hold its regularly scheduled meeting.
The next committee meetings are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 16 , 2020, with the full Board next scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020.
###
Port Authority to implement temporary Social Distancing Policy on all vehicles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 18, 2020) - To help ensure customer and employee safety, Port Authority of Allegheny County is implementing a temporary Social Distancing Policy on all vehicles effective immediately.
To most effectively communicate this policy, signage will be posted on all vehicles reminding customers to maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from each other and from the operator.
To help facilitate this policy, the priority seating areas will be kept in the upright position unless needed by a senior or an individual with physical disabilities or mobility limitations.
This temporary policy will be in effect until Pennsylvania and Allegheny County lift their states of emergency.
Port Authority continues to encourage customers use common sense hygiene practices to limit the spread of germs and illness, like washing your hands or using hand sanitizer immediately after riding the bus or light rail vehicle; changing your seat if you notice someone near you who appears to be sick; sitting down if possible so you can avoid holding on to poles and straps; and staying home if you are sick.
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus or sign up for notifications via phone, email or text message by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts and select COVID-19 under the categories of Health Department/Health & Environment.
For updated Port Authority information, please visit www.portauthority.org/coronavirus, follow us on Twitter @pghtransit or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
Port Authority to reimburse customers for unused passes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (MARCH 17, 2020) - During this time of uncertainty, Port Authority understands employers’ decisions to protect employees and their families from illness by allowing them to work flexible schedules and/or from home.
To support such measures, Port Authority will permit customers who have purchased monthly or weekly time-based passes to be reimbursed on a prorated schedule in exchange for stored cash value on their ConnectCard. The stored cash value can later be used on its own or toward the purchase of another time-based pass.
Customers enrolled in the JobPerks program are not eligible for reimbursement. If you are enrolled in the JobPerks program and are seeking reimbursement, please contact your plan administrator through your employer.
Although the Downtown Service Center remains open, customers are encouraged to contact Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or via chat at www.portauthority.org. Customers should have their ConnectCard number, security pin and answers to security questions at the ready.
During this time of uncertainty, riders are encouraged to consider purchasing passes of shorter duration or instead buying stored value. Employers who order passes on behalf of their employees are reminded that orders for April can be placed as late as March 25.
###
Port Authority Board reschedules meetings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 16, 2020) - Port Authority’s Board has rescheduled its committee meetings to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020, after which the Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting.
The meetings will be held in the Neal H. Holmes Board Room, 345 Sixth Avenue, 5th floor.
The committee meetings were originally scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020.
Port Authority to begin disinfecting vehicles every 24 hours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 14, 2020) - Port Authority will immediately begin disinfecting vehicles every 24 hours, CEO Katharine Kelleman announced today following the announcement of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny County.
"We have known that it was simply a matter of when — not if — we would see our first cases," Kelleman said. "Luckily, I have observed firsthand Port Authority's ability to overcome adversity during challenging times, and I know we will do everything possible to continue to watch out for our riders and for each other."
On Thursday, Port Authority announced it would begin cleaning "high touch" areas of on vehicles every 72 hours. Following today's announcement, those areas will be cleaned daily. Major stations will continue to be cleaned daily, as will vehicles operated by ACCESS, Port Authority's paratransit system.
There are no plans for any operational changes at this time. However, Port Authority service is highly dependent upon its workforce. Should the Authority not have drivers available, it may be required to reduce service ad hoc or systemwide.
Health officials recommend individuals who experience potential symptoms avoid public areas, including riding transit. Symptoms include high fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
Riders are encouraged use common sense hygiene practices to limit the spread of germs and illness, like washing your hands or using hand sanitizer immediately after riding the bus or light rail vehicle; changing your seat if you notice someone near you who appears to be sick; sitting down if possible so you can avoid holding on to poles and straps; and staying home if you are sick.
"Even with increased cleaning, the inescapable reality is that the surfaces of a newly cleaned bus or rail car can no longer be assumed sanitary after passengers have climbed aboard," Kelleman said. "But doing simple things like washing our hands and social distancing will have the greatest impact protecting ourselves, our families and our communities."
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus or sign up for notifications via phone, email or text message by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts and select COVID-19 under the subscription type.
For updated Port Authority information, please visit www.portauthority.org/coronavirus, follow us on Twitter @pghtransit or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority takes steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 12, 2020) - Out of an abundance of caution, growing public concern, and the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases across the nation, Port Authority will immediately begin disinfecting “high touch” surfaces on buses and light rail vehicles every 72 hours. Surfaces inside major transit stations will be disinfected daily.
“High touch” surfaces include poles, pull cords, hand straps, the tops of seats, fare boxes, ConnectCard machines, escalator handrails and elevator buttons. ACCESS service providers will clean paratransit vehicles on a daily basis.
“The safety of our customers and employees is always our top priority, and we are committed to doing what we can until this situation is contained,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
Increasing the cleaning schedule to once every 72 hours comes in advance of the agency activating its Pandemic Plan. Should Port Authority need to activate its Pandemic Plan, crews will disinfect vehicles on a nightly basis. Like many transit agencies nationwide, Port Authority’s fleet of buses and light rail vehicles are swept nightly and wiped down with a disinfectant cleaner once every 30 days.
“Before making this decision, it was critical for us to make sure that we had the supplies and employees available to keep up,” Kelleman said. “While we’re doing our part to protect the communities we serve, riders are strongly encouraged to follow the personal hygiene tips provided by the Allegheny County Health Department and the CDC to help keep themselves and their fellow riders healthy.”
Hand sanitizing dispensers have been installed at Port Authority's Downtown Service Center, and Steel Plaza, Wood Street, Gateway and North Side stations, with more to be installed once additional supplies are available.
At this time, there are no plans for any changes to Port Authority schedules or service.
Despite recent supply chain issues, the Authority’s Procurement Department has worked diligently to purchase the supplies that are required to disinfect vehicles 10 times more frequently than usual, including extra cans of spray foam disinfectant, bottles of bleach and boxes of gloves.
The Authority has also provided educational materials to employees on proper hand washing procedures. Hand sanitizer will be distributed to public-facing employees as soon as additional quantities are available.
Over the last few weeks, Port Authority updated its Pandemic Plan with COVID-19-specific protocols and formed an internal working group to monitor the spread of the virus and identify ways to contain it, provide information to customers and employees, and ensure the Authority has the resources it needs. This week, the Authority issued a temporary suspension of non-essential employee travel outside Allegheny County and canceled the remainder of its public engagement meetings.
During this time of uncertainty, riders are encouraged to consider purchasing passes of shorter duration or instead buying stored value, which does not expire. Employers who order passes on behalf of their employees are reminded that orders for April can be placed as late as March 25, and riders who purchase recurring passes through Port Authority’s website have until March 17 to modify their order.
As of this morning, there have been 118,000 confirmed cases and more than 4,000 deaths attributed to the COVID-19 virus worldwide. And although there are 21 cases in Pennsylvania, there are no presumptive positive cases in Allegheny County.
Riders are again recommended to use common sense hygiene practices to limit the spread of germs and illness, like washing your hands or using hand sanitizer immediately after riding the bus or light rail vehicle; changing your seat if you notice someone near you who appears to be sick; sitting down if possible so you can avoid holding on to poles and straps; and staying home if you are ill.
Port Authority will continue to follow the guidance of public health officials and coordinate with the Allegheny County Health Department on the latest developments.
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus or sign up for notifications via phone, email or text message by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts and select COVID-19 under the subscription type.
For updated Port Authority information, please visit www.portauthority.org/coronavirus, follow us on Twitter @pghtransit or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
Port Authority cancels remainder of community engagement meetings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 11, 2020) – Due to growing concerns over the COVID-19 virus, Port Authority of Allegheny County has canceled its four remaining community engagement meetings, including a meeting that had been scheduled to take place this evening in Oakdale.
Port Authority has held five meetings in its series entitled “Public Transit: A Community Discussion” in downtown Pittsburgh, East Liberty, Millvale, Monroeville and McKeesport to provide information and solicit feedback about upcoming transit projects throughout Allegheny County. The remaining meetings, which had been scheduled through late April, will be rescheduled.
In the meantime, residents can watch a recording of an earlier meeting, review the presentation, and submit feedback at www.PortAuthority.org/GetTogether.
“Although there have been no positive cases in Allegheny County at this time, we decided to cancel the remaining meetings to make sure we were not causing anyone to take unnecessary risks,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “I have full confidence that we will be able to reschedule these meetings and continue to engage with communities throughout our region.”
As of this morning, there are 14 people infected with the COVID-19 virus in the state of Pennsylvania.
Port Authority will continue to take direction from federal, state and local health agencies. Port Authority has made no operational changes to service, but has updated its agency-wide Pandemic Plan to include COVID-19 protocols should it need to be activated.
For more information about what Port Authority is doing in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, customers are encouraged to visit www.PortAuthority.org/coronavirus. For more general information, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus.
###
Port Authority Issues COVID-19 Information
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 2, 2020) - Port Authority has partnered with the Allegheny County Health Department to offer some useful tips to help prevent the exposure to and spread of germs and illness while riding public transit in our region.
While general in nature, these tips are particularly helpful in light of an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus disease 2019, named COVID-19, which has infected more than 80,000 people worldwide, causing nearly 3,000 deaths.
At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. Should conditions change, Port Authority would increase the frequency it cleans and disinfects the inside of buses and light rail vehicles and distribute hand sanitizer to employees who interact with the public.
Port Authority customers are encouraged to be proactive and to take the following precautions to limit the spread of germs, regardless of the virus:
1. Wash your hands
Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
Follow these five steps every time:
• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice, or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Carry alcohol-based (60-95% alcohol) hand sanitizer when you aren’t able to wash your hands.
2. Change your seat
If you notice someone near you who appears to be visibly sick, move away from them if possible.
If escaping the path of someone’s cough or sneeze isn’t an option, respectfully pivot in the opposite direction, being sure to face away from the trajectory of their cough or sneeze.
3. Sit down
While an entirely hands-free commute probably isn’t possible, it’s best to avoid holding on to poles and straps as germs can survive on these surfaces. If possible, opt to sit, keeping your hands in your pockets to avoid touching unnecessary surfaces. This option is more of a best-case scenario, as trains and buses are often full during peak travel hours, and individuals with physical disabilities should always have first priority for seating.
4. Use good judgement
If you are sick, stay home. If that’s not an option, don’t cough or sneeze into your hands. You’re more likely to touch something and spread germs that could infect others. Instead, cough or sneeze into your shoulder, sleeve or elbow.
Additionally, it has been an active flu and respiratory disease season. The CDC and ACHD continues to recommend getting a flu shot - it’s never too late.
For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus.
###
Port Authority Outlines Plans for March 2020 Bus Stop Consolidation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Four bus stops that were slated to be removed under Port Authority’s Bus Stop Consolidation Program will remain in place following community, customer and employee feedback.
New signs will be placed at the following stops notifying riders that they will remain:
- - Penn Ave at Millvale Ave, inbound (Stop #9179)
- - Penn Ave at Millvale Ave, outbound (Stop #9189)
- - The stop at Josephine at Salisbury Street Far Side, outbound (Stop #19370) will be moved to the near side of the intersection.
- - The stop at East Carson Street at 25th Street, outbound (Stop #4855) will remain until a PennDOT project on East Carson Street begins in June.
An updated listing can be found here. The changes to into effect on March 15, 2020.
In December, Port Authority proposed eliminating 23 bus stops that are served by the 48-Arlington and other routes to the south of downtown Pittsburgh and 22 bus stops served by the 88-Penn and other routes in the city’s East End neighborhoods. Two bus stops will be established along the 88-Penn route.
Over the last two months, more than 200 people and community groups provided feedback on the proposals.
Although each bus stop is evaluated individually, proposals to eliminate bust stops are based on usage, proximity to other stops and customer safety. Port Authority’s Bus Stop and Street Design Guidelines provide the foundation for the evaluations.
The goal of the Bus Stop Consolidation Program is to make Port Authority’s bus system safer and more reliable by reducing the number of stops. Port Authority buses serve nearly 7,000 stops throughout the region.
In addition to soliciting rider feedback, Port Authority employees rode buses and visited garage facilities to talk with employees about the changes.
The next round of stops in the Bus Stop Consolidation Program has not been identified. Port Authority will provide ample notice once any changes are proposed.
###
Service Adjustments to go into Effect Sunday, March 15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 18, 2020) – Port Authority's annual major service adjustments will go into effect on Sunday, March 15 alongside several minor adjustments aimed at improving on-time performance and service reliability.
New weekday service will be added to the O12-McKnight Flyer to serve CCAC's North campus and to the G3-Moon Flyer to serve businesses in the Cherrington Parkway corridor.
Weekend service will be added on five bus routes:
- - Saturday service on the 60-Walnut-Crawford Village
- - Sunday service on the 53-Homestead Park
- - Saturday and Sunday service on the P68-Braddock Hills Flyer
- - Saturday and Sunday service between Millvale and downtown Pittsburgh via the Strip District on the 2-Mount Royal.
- - Saturday and Sunday service to CCAC's Boyce campus on the 67-Monroeville
And to help avoid confusion, Port Authority will rename the Blue Line Library to the Silver Line Library. Existing signs, maps and other materials will be changed throughout the system over the next few months.
For a complete list of all the service adjustments, please visit www.PortAuthority.org/ServiceUpdates
Customers with questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority Service for Presidents’ Day
Port Authority Service for Presidents' Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 12, 2020) - Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, February 17, 2020.
Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of President's Day.
Customer Service representatives will be available by phone from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. They can be reached at 412-442-2000.
Port Authority to begin testing pay-by-smartphone; rollout expected by the end of the year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 17, 2020) - Port Authority riders next week will start to see hardware associated with a test of the upcoming mobile fare application installed on buses throughout Allegheny County.
The application will allow riders to pay for their transit from their smartphones.
"This is really exciting for us," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "It's a long time coming and a big step toward modernizing our system."
The hardware is being installed so Port Authority employees and select stakeholders can begin testing the application and associated hardware. Riders will see the devices on 50 buses serving seven routes:
· 1-Freeport Road
· 16-Brighton
· 41-Bower Hill
· 91-Butler Street
· G3-Moon Flyer
· G31-Bridgeville Flyer
· O12-McKnight Flyer
Following the initial testing, Port Authority will give its London-based vendor, Masabi LLC, the go-ahead to ship and then install the hardware on each of the Authority's 720 buses and 80 light rail cars and at both inclines.
Public testing and the public release of the mobile application are expected to occur later this year.
The mobile application will allow customers to purchase fare products — from single trip tickets to monthly passes — from anywhere and use them immediately. Similar technology has been deployed in cities like London, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Denver.
Once released, the app will be able to be used in addition to cash or the ConnectCard. Solutions for those who don't use a smartphone will be activated once the initial testing and hardware installation are complete.
Deployment of the application, including both software and hardware, cost nearly $2 million. Port Authority will also pay the vendor a portion of the sales.
###
Port Authority Service for Martin Luther King Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 14, 2019) - Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on regular weekday schedules on Monday, January 20, 2020.
Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
Customer Service phone representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority to host series of meetings: "Public Transit: A Community Discussion" seeking community input
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 13, 2020) - Port Authority will host a series of meetings over the next few months to discuss with residents in communities throughout Allegheny County upcoming projects and programs that will help shape the future of public transit in our region.
"Public Transit: A Community Discussion" will focus on a variety of topics ranging from Port Authority's use of technology to fare policy to long-range planning. Residents will be encouraged to provide input and ask questions.
"Our goal is to engage communities while it's still early on for many of these topics so we can get a better sense of the direction our stakeholders want us to go," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "We felt it was important to hold these get-togethers now so we can talk about these issues before we make any major decisions."
The community discussions will kick off on Wednesday, January 29, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with three sessions beginning at 9 a.m. Additional meetings have been scheduled in communities throughout Allegheny County, including Millvale, Monroeville, McKeesport, Bethel Park and Springdale.
The current schedule and list of locations can be found here.
Riders with questions about special accommodations are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel expected to reopen by Monday morning
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 10, 2020) - The Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel is expected to reopen by Monday morning, Port Authority announced today.
The transit tunnel has been closed since Tuesday evening due to landslides caused by stormwater runoff.
Since then, City of Pittsburgh crews cleared trees along the hillside and a Port Authority contractor removed the dirt, mud and other material, and stabilized the hillside. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is expected to make repairs to their ongoing drainage issue on Paul Street in Mt. Washington beginning next week.
Detours for bus and light rail service will continue to remain in place as they have since Wednesday morning:
- Inbound light rail service is operating on the tracks that run through the city's Allentown neighborhood
- Outbound light rail service is operating through the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel on the inbound tracks
- Customers traveling outbound from Station Square or South Hills Junction are able to board rail cars from the inbound platforms
- A rail shuttle is operating on the outbound platforms between Station Square to First Avenue Station
- Buses will remain detoured around the transit tunnel
Riders who usually travel through the transit tunnel in either direction should continue to allow for additional travel time.
Customers with questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Landslides force nighttime closure, Wednesday morning restrictions at Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel
Beginning at the start of service on Wednesday morning, inbound light rail service will operate on the tracks that run through the city's Allentown neighborhood; outbound light rail service will operate through the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel on the inbound tracks.
Also beginning Wednesday morning, customers traveling outbound from Station Square or South Hills Junction will be able to board rail cars from the inbound platforms. A rail shuttle will operate on the outbound platforms between Station Square to First Avenue Station.
Riders who usually travel through the transit tunnel in either direction should allow additional travel time as delays are expected.
Port Authority has been working with the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to remediate the hillside and prevent further erosion and damage. For the safety of Port Authority employees and customers, no light rail service will operate on the outbound tracks until the debris is cleared and the hillside is stabilized.
Customers with questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
Port Authority Service For Christmas Day and New Year's Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 23, 2019) - Port Authority bus service will operate on Sunday schedules on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Light rail service will operate on special holiday schedules that can be found here.
Port Authority's Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed on both Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1 in observance of the holidays.
Detours for Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2020 will begin at 10 a.m on Tuesday, Dec. 31, for more than 30 bus routes. Route-specific detours are available here.
Customer Service phone representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
Dec. 19, 2019 - PORT AUTHORITY TO OPERATE HOLIDAY/SUNDAY SCHEDULES ON CHRISTMAS DAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 19, 2019) - Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on Sunday/holiday schedules on Wednesday, December 25, 2019.
Click here for the holiday schedule for the Red Line
Click here for the holiday schedule for the Blue Line
Port Authority's Downtown Service Center and administrative offices will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday.
Customer Service phone representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All service will resume regular operation and hours on Thursday, December 26, 2019.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Email: abrandolph@portauthority.org
DEC. 16, 2019 - PASSENGER WI-FI AVAILABLE NOW ON MOST BUSES; WILL BE AVAILABLE ON ALL BUSES AND LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES BY EARLY NEXT YEAR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 16, 2019) - Passengers on more than 400 Port Authority buses have access to free Wi-Fi, effective immediately, CEO Katharine Kelleman announced today.
The remainder of the bus fleet and all of the agency's light rail vehicles will be equipped with free passenger Wi-Fi by early next year.
“We’re excited to be able to make investments like this that improve our customer's comfort and riding experience,” Kelleman said. “Free Wi-Fi will better connect passengers who are on-the-go and start to bring our system into the future."
Free passenger Wi-Fi was included as part of a necessary upgrade of previously existing modems that were used to broadcast vehicle location and other communications information. The upgrade cost the Authority $2.4 million up front and about $400,000 a year.
The signal is about as fast at 4G LTE, allowing customers to surf the web and check email, but probably not fast enough for large downloads or high definition video streaming.
Making Wi-Fi available to riders could prove especially valuable for individuals in underserved communities, said Port Authority's Chief Information Officer Jeffrey Devlin.
“Free Wi-Fi, much like public transit, can open up a world of opportunity,” Devlin said.
Free Wi-Fi is the Authority’s latest investment in technology aimed at enhancing the customer experience. Earlier this year, the Authority added 59 new buses equipped with USB ports to allow customers to charge their mobile devices.
Next year, Port Authority will be rolling out a mobile payment application that will allow customers to pay their fare with their smartphones. Port Authority also is working with the nation’s top cellular service providers to offer mobile connectivity in the underground portions of the light rail system where reception is currently poor or not available.
To log on to the Wi-Fi network, riders can simply select “PAAC WIFI." No password is necessary, but customers will need to accept the Terms and Conditions of Use. There is no limit on time usage.
In the near future, vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi will be identified by a sticker located near the front doors of each vehicle.
Helpful Tips:
- - If you're unable to see the “PAAC WIFI” network, make sure your device is Wi-Fi-enabled and Wi-Fi is turned on.
- - Please be courteous and avoid downloading large files.
- - If you're watching video or listening to audio, please use earbuds or headphones and be considerate of your fellow riders.
Connection Issues:
- - Port Authority's Wi-Fi service is based on cellular technology and signal strength fluctuates throughout the service area.
- - Service may drop in the same areas where you lose cell phone service.
- - Bandwidth is limited and shared among all riders.
Customers with questions or comments can call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays or reach us online at PortAuthority.org.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Port Authority of Allegheny County
abrandolph@portauthority.org
Dec. 6 - SPECIAL SERVICE TO OPERATE THIS WEEKEND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 6, 2019) - Port Authority invites the greater Pittsburgh community to "Loop the Loop" in the Golden Triangle this weekend by celebrating the past and looking toward the future of public transit in Allegheny County.
On Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8, Port Authority will operate the 96A-Golden Triangle, a route that has not run in more than 30 years, as we retire our last remaining buses manufactured by Neoplan USA.
The buses will depart East Busway - Penn Station Stop C every 45 minutes between 9 a.m. and 8:15 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. They will make a loop as they serve 13 stops in downtown Pittsburgh. No fare will be charged.
Customers will be able to identify the buses by their "96A-Golden Triangle" head signs.
Neoplan buses have been part of Port Authority's fleet since 1982, one year after the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation purchased more than 1,000 buses and distributed them to transit agencies across the state.
In the 37 years since their first arrival, several models of these buses have been the workhorses of Port Authority's system and have been a familiar sight for two generations of transit riders. Today, just two Neoplans remain in use, both of which will be retired after Sunday.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Email: abrandolph@portauthority.org
December 5 - BUS STOP CONSOLIDATION PROPOSAL UPDATED
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT FOR BUS STOP CONSOLIDATION PROGRAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 4, 2019) - As part of its ongoing effort to improve on-time performance and service reliability, Port Authority's Service Development team is seeking public input on a proposal to eliminate 48 bus stops and establish two new bus stops along routes that operate primarily through the City of Pittsburgh's eastern and southern neighborhoods.
All of the stops are located along the 48-Arlington, which serves Downtown, South Side, Arlington, Mt. Oliver, Knoxville, and Beltzhoover, and the 88-Penn, which serves Downtown, the Strip District, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Friendship, Garfield, East Liberty and Point Breeze. Many of the stops are served by at least one other bus route.
Notices will be placed on the stops that have been proposed for elimination early next week. Comments on the proposal will be accepted through February 7, 2020, with stop eliminations expected to occur on March 15, 2020.
Proposed eliminations are based generally on proximity to other stops, usage and customer safety, although each stop has its own unique characteristics and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Port Authority's goal is to reduce the number of bus stops while maintaining access to schools, places of worship, senior centers, healthcare facilities, community centers, libraries, other important buildings and key connection points. Port Authority buses serve more than 7,000 stops throughout Allegheny and neighboring counties.
Public input on these proposals is an essential part of the process. In October, Port Authority initially proposed eliminating 72 bus stops along routes 16-Brighton and 51-Carrick. Following reevaluations triggered by community, customer and operator feedback, the Service Development team determined that six of those 72 stops would remain. The other stops were eliminated on November 24.
In addition to soliciting rider feedback, Port Authority employees will be riding on buses to make sure customers aware of the proposed changes. They will also be visiting garage facilities to talk with employees.
Riders can visit PortAuthority.org/BusStop to view the list of stops proposed for elimination. The public can provide input by calling Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or using the online form.
Riders with mobility issues may wish to explore Port Authority's ACCESS program by calling 412-526-5353 or visiting www.myaccessride.com.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Email: abrandolph@portauthority.org
November 27 - Port Authority Thanksgiving Service 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – (November 27, 2019) Port Authority riders should plan for changes in service on Thanksgiving and check the schedules before heading out.
- Bus service will be following Sunday schedules.
- Light rail service will operate on special Thanksgiving schedules which can be found at PortAuthority.org.
- The Downtown Service Center will be closed.
- The Customer Service Call Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and can be reached by calling 412-442-2000.
Nov. 21 - PORT AUTHORITY SERVICE FOR LIGHT UP NIGHT 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Nov. 21, 2019) - Nearly every Port Authority bus route will be detoured on Friday, November 22, 2019, for the annual Light Up Night festivities in downtown Pittsburgh.
Some detours will begin as early as 7 a.m. Friday with most Light Up Night detours beginning at 6 p.m.
After 6 p.m. most buses will be rerouted to Smithfield Street through the end of service.
Port Authority employees will be stationed throughout the Central Business District to help direct customers to the nearest stop locations.
Port Authority will be operating extra service on the light rail system to take riders to and from downtown Pittsburgh, but due to the overwhelming popularity of Light Up Night riders should allow for extra time when traveling.
Detour information for individual routes is available at PortAuthority.org/LUN2019 or by calling Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
November 6 - PORT AUTHORITY SERVICE FOR VETERANS DAY PARADE, VETERANS DAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 6, 2019) - Port Authority will operate regular service on Saturday, November 9, 2019, although several bus routes will be detoured in the morning and early afternoon for the 100th Annual Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade.
Customers are encouraged to visit our detours page, where detailed information about the detours will be available later this week.
On Sunday, November 10, Port Authority will operate regular Sunday service. Customer Service will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
And on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, Port Authority will operate on regular weekday schedules, although Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Customer Service representatives will be available regular weekday hours, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Customers with questions about any Port Authority services are encouraged to call Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
October 31 - NEXT ROUND OF QUARTERLY SERVICE CHANGES GO INTO EFFECT NOV. 24
October 30 - FIVE BUS STOPS PROPOSED FOR ELIMINATION TO BE RETAINED
October 29, 2019 - NEW BUSES TO BE PUT IN SERVICE THIS WEEK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Tuesday, October 29, 2019) - Port Authority of Allegheny County this week will begin putting 59 new clean diesel buses on the road as part of a replacement program to deliver more reliable and environmentally-friendly public transit across the region.
The 40-foot Gillig buses began leaving from the manufacturer's factory outside San Francisco in mid-October. The buses are driven 2,600 miles through eight states over three-days before arriving in Pittsburgh.
Once they arrive, the buses go through a post-delivery inspection process and undergo routine state inspections. All 59 new buses are all due to be in Pittsburgh by the end of the year.
On the inside, the newest feature is USB ports for customers to charge their mobile devices. From the outside, the new buses will appear nearly identical to many of the buses already in service throughout the region.
The buses were paid for with $22 million federal, $5.5 million state and $180,000 county funding. Each bus cost $473,000.
The buses will be deployed from each of the Authority's four bus garages and serve various routes throughout Allegheny County. They will replace the same number of buses that have been on the road and in service for at least 12 years and are due to be retired.
Later this year, Port Authority will take receipt of its first two battery-electric buses. More information about the electric buses will be made available closer to their arrival.
###
October 25, 2019 - PORT AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FREE BUS SERVICE TO TREE OF LIFE MEMORIAL SERVICE ON SUNDAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Port Authority of Allegheny County on Sunday will offer free bus service to and from Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Oakland for the Tree of Life Memorial Service.
Bus routes 61A, 61B, 61C and 61D, and 71A, 71B, 71C and 71D will be free between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
In addition to regularly scheduled Sunday service, Port Authority will offer extra trips on the 61D and 71D bus routes.
Schedules and trip planning information can be found at PortAuthority.org.
Port Authority Customer Service will be available on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 412-442-2000.
###
SEPT. 25 - PORT AUTHORITY DETOURS FOR GREAT RACE WEEKEND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Wednesday, September 25, 2019) - More than 30 Port Authority bus routes will be detoured this weekend for the 42nd Annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race and related events.
On Saturday, September 28, detours will last from about 10 a.m. until noon, and will impact buses in and near Point State Park.
On Sunday, September 29, most detours will begin at the start of service and last until about 1 p.m. The detours on Sunday will primarily impact riders in the Downtown, Uptown, Oakland and Squirrel Hill areas.
Temporary stop changes for each route are available at PortAuthority.org/greatrace. If a bus route is not listed, it is not affected.
On Sunday, two temporary special bus routes will operate during the race, the 5K and 10K, to provide service between Downtown and Oakland, and Downtown and Squirrel Hill, respectively.
For more information, customers are encouraged to contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
###
SEPT. 20 - PORT AUTHORITY TO REPLACE TRACK CROSS IN CASTLE SHANNON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Port Authority will be replacing a track crossing at Mt. Lebanon Boulevard in Castle Shannon the weekend of September 20-23.
The work requires removal of the existing rail and the installation of new rail. Construction will be performed 24 hours a day to shorten the duration of the project.
Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, the Red Line will operate from Allegheny Station to Mt. Lebanon Station. A bus shuttle will operate from Mt. Lebanon Station to the Castle Shannon Station Park and Ride, and serve Poplar, Arlington (outbound only), and Castle Shannon stations via Castle Shannon Boulevard. Customers traveling beyond Castle Shannon must travel to Overbrook Junction and take the Blue Line toward South Hills Village. Regular service will resume by 5 a.m. Monday.
Vehicular traffic will be detoured from Mt. Lebanon Boulevard via State Route 19 (Washington Road) to Scott Road and Castle Shannon Boulevard.
Residents and light rail riders should allow additional travel time.
Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to call Port Authority’s Construction Hotline at 412-566-5544. The hotline is staffed weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Messages will be returned as soon as possible. The hotline is staffed by Customer Service Representatives weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 - 2019 APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR FEDERAL SUPPORT OF BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Thursday, September 19, 2019) - Port Authority of Allegheny County submitted its 2019 Small Starts grant application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Friday, August 23, 2019, to help fund the proposed Downtown-Uptown-Oakland-East End Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
The Authority, in conjunction with Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority, is seeking $99.5 million in Small Starts funding to support the region's first on-street BRT project, which would offer more reliable and efficient connections between downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland, the region's first- and second-largest employment centers, and several East End communities via dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, and more widely-spaced bus stations.
Battery-electric vehicles would serve customers in the main corridor, while clean-diesel buses would be used to serve customers along the branches to Highland Park, Squirrel Hill and the Mon Valley.
The project also includes protected bike lanes, significant pedestrian improvements and street-level infrastructure upgrades. This year's application includes a new station outside Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Oakland.
The current estimated project cost is $225 million with service expected to begin by 2023. This is lower than the $249.9 million cost projection included in the application submitted to the FTA.
Project design changes that occurred beyond the application deadline — including the elimination of full-depth pavement reconstruction and utility replacement in the Uptown corridor – reduced the project cost.
In addition to the anticipated Small Starts grant, the project is expected to be paid for through Port Authority, Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh capital funds, and other state and federal grants. Annual Small Starts applications have been submitted for the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland-East End BRT project since 2017.
The FTA has given the project a "High" overall rating each year an application has been submitted. An updated project map is now available HERE. Public engagement meetings will be scheduled in Spring 2020.
The FTA's Small Starts program provides up to $100 million to support public transit projects nationwide. Funding is generally announced in the FTA's Annual Report published each February.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Port Authority of Allegheny County
abrandolph@portauthority.org
September 11 - TWO BUS ROUTES TO RETURN TO REGULAR SERVICE IN MORNINGSIDE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 11, 2019) - Two Port Authority bus routes will return to regular service in Pittsburgh's Morningside neighborhood on Thursday morning, following the early completion of Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority street paving.
Bus routes 75-Ellsworth and 87-Friendship will be returned to regular routing beginning with the first buses on Thursday, September 12. The buses have been detoured on their outbound trips since Tuesday, September 3.
Customers with any questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000. Customer Service representatives are available 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Port Authority of Allegheny County
abrandolph@portauthority.org
September 10 - EFFORTS BEGIN TO IMPROVE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 10, 2019) - Port Authority will begin removing unpopular and redundant bus stops in November with the goal of improving on-time performance.
The program is aimed at making Port Authority's system of 98 bus routes more reliable. According to the agency's most recent Annual Service Report, on-time performance lags behind its peers at about 67 percent systemwide.
"I came to Pittsburgh with a mission to improve our customers' experience, and a large part of that is to making sure our customers can reliably get where they want to go within a reasonable amount of time," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman.
"When buses are late, our operators become stressed and our riders become frustrated or worse — late to wherever they're going."
Port Authority has been systematically analyzing bus stops by route based on proximity to other stops, usage and other factors, and has developed a plan to consolidate bus stops while maintaining access to the system. Other factors include customer safety and access to stops that are within close proximity to schools, places of worship, senior centers, healthcare facilities, community centers, libraries, other important buildings or key connection points.
The first stops proposed for consolidation are along bus routes 16-Brighton and 51-Carrick. Notices will be placed on the stops that are proposed for consolidation later this week and final decisions will be made at the end of October.
"Ensuring customer safety and accessibility have been key factors throughout this process," said David Huffaker, Port Authority's chief development officer. "We certainly want to hear from riders to make sure we haven't overlooked anything."
Riders can visit PortAuthority.org/BusStop to view the entire list and provide input by calling Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or using the online form.
Riders with mobility issues may wish to explore Port Authority's ACCESS program by calling 412-526-5353 or visiting www.myaccessride.com.
The next stops proposed for consolidation will be identified in December.
Port Authority will be working with local municipalities over the next several months to enhance and provide additional amenities, including adding shelters and benches, to remaining stops.
Port Authority will be joining dozens of agencies from across the country that have gone through similar bus stop consolidation programs, including Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and IndyGO in Indianapolis.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Brandolph
Port Authority of Allegheny County
abrandolph@portauthority.org
August 28 - Two Bus Routes to Detour in Morningside For Street Paving
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 28, 2019) - Two Port Authority bus routes will be detoured in Pittsburgh’s Morningside neighborhood for approximately two weeks due to Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority street paving.
Bus routes 75-Ellsworth and 87-Friendship will be detoured on their outbound trips beginning Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Inbound trips will operate on regular route.
Buses will navigate around PWSA's closure of Chislett Street by using Morningside Avenue to Baker Street; buses will resume their regular route at Jancey Street.
During the road closure, buses will be unable to serve outbound stops along Chislett Street, and at Greenwood and Jancey, Jancey at #1842, and Jancey at Baker Street. No inbound stops will be affected.
Buses will make stops at the corresponding streets along Morningside Avenue (Morningside at Wellesley, Morningside at Hampton, etc.), and at Baker at Jancey.
Customers with any questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000. Customer Service representatives are available 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
August 28 - Labor Day Service and Hours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 28, 2019) - Port Authority bus and light rail service will be operating on a Sunday schedule on Monday, September 2, 2019, in observance of Labor Day.
The Downtown Service Center will be closed.
Customer Service will be open holiday hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Customer Service can be reached by calling 412-442-2000.
August 23 - Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel Expected to Reopen by Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Friday, August 23, 2019) - The Mt. Washington Transit
Tunnel is expected to reopen for regular service by Monday, August 26, 2019.
The tunnel has been closed since July 26 while contractors replaced approximately 480 feet of light rail track and concrete. The Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel provides Port Authority buses and light rail vehicles a quick and convenient shortcut between
downtown Pittsburgh and communities south of the city. The tunnel is used by
approximately 15,000 weekday and 7,000 weekend bus and light rail riders.
The Wabash Tunnel, which has been open only to inbound traffic during construction, also is expected to resume its regular inbound/outbound schedule beginning Monday morning.
Customers with questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at
412-442-2000. Customer Service is available by phone on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7
p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
August 9 - Quarterly service adjustments go into effect Sunday, September 1, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 9, 2019) - Port Authority adjusts schedules four
times each year. The next round of changes will occur on Sunday, September 1, 2019.
The most significant changes include returning service of the 21 - Coraopolis to Neville Island; expanded weekend service hours on the Y46 - Elizabeth Flyer, Y47 - Curry Flyer and Y49 - Prospect Flyer; and additional trips on the 67 - Monroeville, 87 - Friendship and P71 - Swissvale Flyer routes.
A complete list of updates can be found here.
Customers with questions about the updates are encouraged to call Port Authority
Customer Service at 412-442-2000. Customer Service representatives are available
weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
August 8 - Port Authority Statement on Downtown Stabbing
July 19 - Port Authority to begin major construction project beginning July 26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 19, 2019) - Port Authority of Allegheny County will be embarking on a major light rail track and concrete pavement replacement project in and around the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel that will significantly impact bus and light rail service for one month beginning on July 26, 2019.
Approximately 480 feet of light rail track and concrete will be replaced between South Hills Junction and the the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel. The work will be completed by Michael Facchiano Contracting and will be performed 24 hours a day over two phases. Phase 1 will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 26 and end on Sunday, August 11. Phase 2 will begin on Monday, August 12 and end on Thursday, August 22.
The construction will impact approximately 10,000 weekday and 5,000 weekend light rail riders and 5,000 weekday and 2,000 weekend bus riders.
Significant delays are expected throughout the light rail system and on the effected bus routes. Customers should pay close attention to the changes and plan for increased travel time depending on time of travel, direction and day.
To avoid confusion, the detours outlined below will be in effect for the duration of the project barring any unforeseen circumstances.
The Wabash Tunnel will remain inbound only for the duration of the project.
Port Authority has established a dedicated Customer Service Construction Information Line that can be reached at 412-566-5544.
This line will be staffed by a Customer Service representative weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
For help with trip planning or general questions, customers are encouraged to call Customer Service directly at 412-442-2000.
LIGHT RAIL SERVICE
INBOUND
All inbound rail service will operate via the tracks that run through the city's Allentown neighborhood. Inbound rail cars will be unable to serve Station Square.
Inbound passengers heading to Station Square from the South should continue toward downtown on an inbound rail car, disembark at First Avenue and take an outbound rail car to Station Square.
Inbound passengers at Station Square will board a rail shuttle on the inbound platform during Phase 1 and on the outbound platform during Phase 2.
OUTBOUND
Outbound rail cars will use the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel from the start of service until 11 p.m.
After 11 p.m., outbound rail cars will use the tracks that run through the city's Allentown neighborhood and will be unable to serve Station Square. During this time, a rail shuttle will operate between Station Square and First Avenue Station.
Customers heading outbound from Station Square after 11 p.m. should take the rail shuttle inbound toward downtown (boarding at Station Square on the inbound platform during Phase 1 and on the outbound platform during Phase 2) to First Avenue Station and then board any outbound rail car.
BUS SERVICE
Buses that regularly use the South Busway (Routes 39, 40, 41, 44, Y1, Y45, Y46, Y47 and Y49) will not use the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel.
INBOUND
The last inbound stop before buses are detoured will be South Busway at Palm Garden.
Inbound buses will be unable to serve the following stops: South Busway at South Hills Junction; Station Square Station at South Busway Slip Ramp; East Carson at Smithfield. Additionally, Route 44 will be unable to serve the stop at South Busway at Haberman Ramp Step (at South Hills Junction).
Port Authority will establish a stop at Wabash Tunnel Ramp at the Monongahela Incline (West Carson Street).
OUTBOUND
The last outbound stop before vehicles are detoured will be E. Carson Street at Station Square Station.
Outbound buses will be unable to serve the South Busway at South Hills Junction stop.
Port Authority will establish a stop at Warrington opposite Boggston (at the top of sidewalk that comes up from South Hills Junction).
June 4 - Schedule adjustments for nearly 20 Port Authority bus routes will go into effect Sunday, June 16, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 4, 2019) - Schedules for nearly 20 bus routes will be updated as part of Port Authority's quarterly service adjustments.
The new schedules go into effect on Sunday, June 16, 2019. They can be found on Port Authority's website here.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000. Customer Service representatives are available 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
May 29 - Port Authority moves closer to mobile ticketing app
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 29, 2019) - Port Authority's Technology Committee today registered its approval of a contract to launch an enhanced fare system, including a mobile ticketing application, which would allow customers to pay their fares from their smartphones. The contract with Masabi LLC moves to the full Port Authority Board for final consideration on Friday, May 31, 2019.
The application would allow customers to purchase a single-use ticket or a daily, weekly, monthly or annual pass using a credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay directly from their smartphone and then immediately use that product to pay for their ride. If approved by the full Board, Port Authority plans to launch the application in early 2020.
"This is a step toward making public transit in Allegheny County easier to use and more convenient," said Jennifer Liptak, Technology Committee chair and vice chair of Port Authority's Board. "More and more of our customers use smartphones when they ride with us, and being able to buy tickets on those devices will make riding public transit that much easier."
The system would allow customers to print their ticket at home or visit a retail location that could print a ticket for customers without smartphones or bank accounts. Port Authority will partner would third-party retailers to enable that functionality.
"Paying for transit should be simple, convenient and equitable," Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman said. "This system gives our customers yet another option to help make their riding experience even easier."
At the outset, the system will be based on today's fare structure, but has the flexibility to accommodate new products and policies.
Port Authority received 11 proposals seeking a mobile ticketing vendor in November 2018. Six companies were interviewed and Masabi’s proposal was the highest rated.
Masabi has implemented mobile ticketing programs in more than 50 locations, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Denver, London and Madrid.
May 29 - Port Authority presents FY2020 operating and capital budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 29, 2019) - Port Authority of Allegheny County staff today presented a $463 million preliminary operating and $58 million preliminary capital budget for fiscal year 2020 to the Board's Planning and Stakeholder Relations Committee. The Board is expected to be presented a proposed final budget for consideration in June.
Operating revenue in the upcoming fiscal year is anticipated to remain at the same level as FY2019; expenses are expected to increase 5 percent due to higher employee and legacy costs. The FY2020 budget also calls for up to $1.3 million in additional service.
Port Authority remains ahead of projections made in 2014-2015, when it was anticipated that the agency would need to use Act 89 capital funds for operating use. Through prudent planning, however, the Authority is expected to balance its operating budget using $29 million from a reserve account and will not need to use capital funds.
The $58 million capital budget includes $29 million in federal funding for new buses and $22 million for debt service. About $7 million will be used on the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland Bus Rapid Transit project and improvements to the light rail system.
Port Authority also has 38 capital projects — totaling $64 million — that were deferred in fiscal year 2019 as a result of a loss of funding because of the trucker's lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Port Authority would present a revised FY2020 capital budget and revisit those projects if that funding is restored.
May 22 - Port Authority service for Monday, May 27, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Several Port Authority bus routes will be detoured on Monday, May 27, 2019, for various Memorial Day parades and related events across the county.
Bus and light rail service will operate on Sunday/holiday schedules. The Monongahela Incline will be open from 8:45 a.m. to midnight.
Customer Service representatives will be available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Customers are encouraged to visit our detours page or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 to learn how Memorial Day events will affect service in their neighborhoods.
May 16 - Port Authority to increase capacity, add light rail service for Garth Brooks concert at Heinz Field on Saturday, May 18, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - In anticipation of record-breaking attendance at Heinz Field for country music superstar Garth Brooks' sold out stadium show and related events on Saturday, May 18, 2019, Port Authority of Allegheny County will add capacity and offer additional light rail service to meet demand.
Two-car trains will operate from the start to the end of service. Additional vehicles will begin operating at 1 p.m. and continue through the end of service.
The last rail car to Library Station is scheduled to leave Allegheny Station at 11:37 p.m. Customers leaving the North Side after 11:37 p.m. may board any outbound rail car, exit at Washington Junction and board free shuttle buses going to Hillcrest, Lytle, Mesta, South Park Road, Munroe, Sarah, Logan Road, King's School Road, Beagle, Sandy Creek, West Library or Library stations.
To provide faster and more efficient service following the event, full rail cars traveling outbound will not stop to pick up or let customers off at North Side Station. Customers who want to go to North Side Station from Allegheny Station should exit the rail vehicle at Gateway Station and take an inbound rail vehicle to North Side Station.
Light rail cars will operate until the platforms at Allegheny and North Side stations are clear.
Bus service will operate on regular Saturday schedules.
Customers are encouraged to allow for additional travel time and plan ahead as not all bus service will be operating at the end of the concert. Although Port Authority will be able to accommodate demand, long waits — especially after the event — are expected.
Customers are encouraged to call Customer Service for any trip planning needs. Customer Service can be reached at 412-442-2000 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
May 9 - Mon Incline to reopen Friday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 9, 2019) - After receiving authorization by state inspectors, Port Authority of Allegheny County will reopen the Monongahela Incline at the start of service on Friday, May 10, 2019, 13-weeks after it was closed to repair damage caused by flooding.
"I want to thank the residents and businesses in the Hilltop communities, especially those in Mt. Washington, who have been extremely patient over the last three months," said Port Authority Chief Development Officer David Huffaker, whose division includes the engineering and maintenance teams that managed the repairs. "Closing the incline for an extended period of time certainly was difficult, but for safety reasons had to be done."
A Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority water main that runs along Grandview Avenue in Mt. Washington broke on January 19, flooding the upper station and forcing it to close for five days. That same water main broke in two separate locations within a 24 hour period about two weeks later, causing more extensive damage. The incline has been out of service since February 4.
Over the past three months, Port Authority has worked closely with contractors Gannett Fleming, Michael Facchiano Contracting and Pitt electric to evaluate the damage; clean up the water; relocate plumbing and electrical service; reinforce a foundation wall; and replace tile flooring.
Inspectors from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry authorized the reopening of the incline Thursday afternoon.
Port Authority crews also conducted routine maintenance while the incline was out of service, including replacing the safety cable, which will keep the incline from being taken out of service for that purpose later this year.
The total cost of the repairs has not been finalized. Once tallied, Port Authority plans to seek reimbursement from PWSA.
The Monongahela Incline first opened in 1870 and is the oldest continuously operated funicular in the country. It is open 365 days a year and is used by commuters and tourists alike, serving nearly 600,000 people in 2018.
Shuttle bus service will be discontinued immediately. Port Authority had been operating a shuttle between the upper and lower stations of the Mon Incline and more recently from the upper station of the Mon Incline to the upper station of the Duquesne Incline.
May 3 - Fifteen Port Authority bus routes will be detoured beginning Monday due to construction on Grant Street
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Fifteen Port Authority bus routes will be detoured beginning Monday, May 6, 2019, due to construction on Grant Street between Seventh and Liberty avenues.
Detours will be as follows:
Bus routes G2-West Busway and G3-Moon Flyer will take Liberty Avenue to the East Busway, turn around and exit downtown Liberty Avenue.
Discontinued stops
INBOUND
Grant at Federal Building
OUTBOUND
Grant at Federal Building
Seventh Ave at Smithfield
Established Stops
INBOUND
East Busway Penn Station Stop C
OUTBOUND
East Busway Penn Station Stop C
Liberty opp Smithfield
Bus routes P1-East Busway All Stops, P2-East Busway Short, P7-McKeesport Flyer, P17-Lincoln Park Flyer, P68-Braddock Hills Flyer, P69-Trafford Flyer, P71-Swissvale Flyer, P71-Swissvale Flyer, P76-Lincoln Highway Flyer and P78-Oakmont Flyer will turn right onto Fifth Avenue from Smithfield Street and exit downtown via the East Busway from Liberty Avenue.
Discontinued stops
INBOUND
Grant at Federal Building
Grant at Strawberry Way
Grant at Oliver (opp Steel Plaza Station)
Fifth at William Penn Place (Farside) (P7, P69, P76, P78)
Fifth at Smithfield (P17)
OUTBOUND
Grant as U.S. Steel Tower (P1, P2, P68, P71)
Grant at Federal Court House (Stop #2) (P1, P2)
Established stops
INBOUND
Liberty at Tenth
Smithfield Street Bus Lane at Sixth Ave
Smithfield Street Bus Lane at Fifth (P7, P17, P69, P76, P78)
OUTBOUND
Smithfield Street Bus Lane at Sixth Ave
Liberty at Sixth Ave
Liberty at William Penn Place
The 87-Friendship will enter downtown via Penn Avenue, turn left at Seventh Street and exit downtown via Liberty Avenue.
Discontinued stops
INBOUND
Liberty at Eleventh (Greyhound)
Liberty at Tenth
Smithfield Street Bus Lane at Sixth Ave
OUTBOUND
Smithfield Street Bus Lane at Sixth Ave
Grant at USSteel Tower
Grant at Federal Court House (Stop #2)
Established stops
INBOUND
Penn at Eleventh
Penn at Garrison Place (#933)
Penn at Ninth
Penn at Eighth
OUTBOUND
Penn at Eighth
Liberty at Wood Street Station
Liberty at Smithfield
Liberty at William Penn Place
Liberty opp Eleventh (Amtrak) (Existing)
The P12-Holiday Park Flyer and P67-Monroeville Flyer will turn left onto Smithfield Street from Fifth Avenue before exiting downtown via Liberty Avenue.
Discontinued stops
INBOUND
None
OUTBOUND
Grant opp Oliver (Steel Plaza Station)
Grant at Federal Court House (Stop #1)
Established stops
INBOUND
None
OUTBOUND
Fifth at Smithfield (Existing)
Smithfield at Sixth Ave (Mellon Square Transit Canopy)
Smithfield at Seventh Ave (Centre City Tower)
Liberty at William Penn Place
Signs will be posted at all affected bus stops.
Customers should allow for additional travel time as vehicles may experience delays due to the change in traffic patterns in the Central Business District.
Riders with questions are encouraged to call Customer Service at 412-442-2000. Customer service is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
April 26 - Port Authority work on the North Braddock Avenue Bridge to impact weekend traffic
Port Authority is in the process of replacing the 115-year-old North Braddock Avenue Bridge, which carries part of the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway in Homewood. This weekend’s work consists of placing two pre-fabricated sections of bridge weighing about 65-tons each. Work will take place between 8:00 p.m. Friday and 8:00 p.m. Saturday.
Due to the size of the prefabricated sections and the equipment required to set them, this work will require a full closure of the North Braddock Avenue Bridge, Homewood Station, Finance Street, and a section of North Braddock Avenue between Finance Street and the bridge.
Customers who typically use the Homewood Station will be able to catch the bus on North Homewood Avenue near Finance Street. Customers who Ride the P1 bus route may experience a minor delay.
April 15 - Mon Incline repairs on track; expected to reopen next month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 15, 2019) - Repair work at the Monongahela Incline is on schedule to be completed this week, and following preventive maintenance, testing and inspections, the 149-year-old funicular is expected to reopen next month.
This week, contractors will finish relocating the electrical service to a permanent location inside the incline's upper station and install the building's tile floor. It is anticipated that load testing will begin the week of April 22.
Once load testing is finished, crews plan to replace the incline's safety cable — a project that, while not part of the repair work, is being done to prevent the incline from being taken out of service later this year.
State safety inspections, which are required before the incline is put back into service, will be completed once the safety cable is replaced.
A more precise date for when the incline will reopen is not yet available as it is heavily dependent upon testing and inspections.
Crews have spent the last two months reinforcing the upper station's southern foundation wall, which was compromised when a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority water main that runs along Grandview Avenue in Mt. Washington broke and caused significant damage to the upper station.
The incline has been out of service since February 4.
The Monongahela Incline first opened in 1870 and is the oldest continuously operated funicular in the country. The incline is used by daily commuters and tourists alike, with nearly 600,000 rides in 2018.
Shuttle buses will continue to operate between the upper and lower stations until incline service is restored.
April 15 - Good Friday service information
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 16, 2019) - Port Authority's administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed on Friday, April 19, 2019, in observance of Good Friday.
Bus and light rail services will operate on regular weekday schedules, and Customer Service phone representatives will be available regular weekday hours, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 412-442-2000.
March 29 - Port Authority bus and light rail operators prepare for competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 29, 2019) - Nearly 20 Port Authority bus and light rail operators will begin their quest to earn local and international acclaim in a competition to showcase the skills they use at work every day.
The competitions, known as a "Roadeo" for bus operators and "Rodeo" for light rail operators, put Port Authority employees through physical and mental challenges, measuring their professional skills and vehicle operation; knowledge of safety regulations and equipment, and rules and procedures.
The competitions will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2019.
The bus Roadeo will take place at the Castle Shannon Park and Ride and is open to the public. The Castle Shannon Park and Ride will remain accessible by light rail during the competition. A limited number of parking spaces also will remain available for spectators on a first-come, first-served basis. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets.
The rail Rodeo will take place at the South Hills Village Rail Center, but will not be open to the public.
"Public transportation is all about the people, and these competitions are about recognizing the best of our front line employees," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. "Those who operate and maintain our public transportation systems are the backbone of our industry.
"We already know we have excellent operators. This competition gives them the opportunity to put that excellence on display."
Although similar contests are held throughout the country each year, this is the first time Port Authority has hosted a local competition in nearly two decades.
The winning bus operator will be sent to Louisville, Ky. to compete in the 2019 International Bus Roadeo in May. The winning rail operator will be sent to Toronto, ON, to compete in the 2019 International Rail Rodeo in July. Both events are sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association.
In preparation for the event, the Castle Shannon Park and Ride will be closed weekends beginning Saturday, March 30. Customers traveling on the weekends leading up to the event are encouraged to use the park and ride lots at Washington Junction, St. Anne, Dormont, Memorial Hall or South Hills Village Garage.
Castle Shannon Park and Ride will be open on weekdays leading up to the event.
March 22 - Port Authority to offer free rides to vigil for New Zealand mass shooting victims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 22, 2019) - Port Authority will offer free bus rides on the evening of Sunday, March 24, 2019, for attendees of a vigil at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum to remember the 50 victims of two mass shootings in New Zealand last week.
March 18, 2019 - Several bus routes to detour beginning Tuesday, March 19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 18, 2019) – More than 20 Port Authority bus routes will be detoured beginning Tuesday, March 19, as Pittsburgh police close several streets around the Allegheny County Courthouse.
Buses will be detoured from portions of Grant and Ross streets and Fifth and Forbes avenues daily from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. until further notice. A complete list of detoured routes and stop information can be found here.
Riders should plan for delays and allow for additional travel time on buses that serve downtown.
For more information, riders are encouraged to visit PortAuthority.org or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or 412-231-7007 for TTY.
March 18, 2019 - Monongahela Incline repair work remains on schedule
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 18, 2019) - Contractors at the Monongahela Incline continue to work on repairing damage caused by three water main breaks earlier this year.
Authority engineers say the work remains on schedule to be completed within three to four weeks.
Crews have been working to reinforce the foundation of the incline’s upper station that was compromised due to flooding that occurred when a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority water main that runs along Grandview Avenue in Mt. Washington broke on January 19, flooding the upper station and closing the incline for five days.
Nearly two weeks later, the same water main broke in two separate locations within a 24 hour period, causing additional damage to both the internal mechanics of the incline and the building structure. The incline has been out of service since February 4.
Once the interior of the foundation wall is reinforced, crews will begin to excavate and work on the exterior of the foundation wall.
Only when the foundation repairs are complete will engineers be able to test the incline’s control systems and functions. It is currently unclear whether those components were damaged by the flooding.
The Monongahela Incline first opened in 1870 and is the oldest continuously operated funicular in the country. The incline is used by daily commuters and tourists alike, with nearly 600,000 unlinked passenger trips counted in 2018.
Shuttle buses will continue to operate between the upper and lower stations until incline service is restored.
March 18, 2019 - Wood Street Station reopened; majority of work finished
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 18, 2019) Contractors have completed the majority of construction at Wood Street Station and reopened the Wood Street entrance over the weekend.
Contractors began Phase I in mid-December and Phase II in early February. The project included installing a new perforated metal ceiling at street level, updating lighting to more energy-efficient LED lights, and
refurbishing the ornamental fixtures that hang throughout the building.
Customers may observe additional work being done inside Wood Street
Station over the next few weeks. The work is not expected to impede
station access.
The work is part of a $2 million project to enhance various Port
Authority-owned facilities, including South Hills Junction, Steel Plaza
Station, and three garages.
March 13, 2019 - Customers invited to help recognize Port Authority operators
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 13, 2019) - Port Authority's 1,200 bus, light rail, and incline operators transport more than 100,000 people to work, school and other destinations throughout the Pittsburgh region every day.
These individuals are tasked with getting customers to where they need to go safely and on time, and providing friendly customer service while facing traffic, bad weather and other hazardous conditions.
In observance of Transit Driver Appreciation Day on Monday, March 18, 2019, Port Authority will recognize the efforts and responsibilities of our front-line employees by delivering thank-you cards to our operators.
We encourage our customers to do the same.
Customers can pick up thank-you cards at Port Authority's Downtown Service Center located at 623 Smithfield Street beginning today. The cards will remain available through Monday evening.
Last month, the Authority recognized a dozen operators for providing superior service, and recently produced a video thanking operators for their efforts.
That video can be viewed here.
March 13, 2019 - St. Patrick's Day Parade detours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 13, 2019) - Nearly 50 Port Authority bus routes will be detoured in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday, March 16, for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Buses that operate on Boulevard of the Allies (Routes 56, 57, 58, and 67) will begin detouring at 7 a.m. for parade assembly. Buses that operate in the Strip District (Routes 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91) will begin detouring about a half hour later, at 7:30 a.m., for parade staging.
All other bus routes will begin detouring about 9 a.m., with most routes resuming regular service soon after the streets are reopened after the parade. A complete list of bus routes that will be detoured is available here.
Riders should anticipate delays on all bus routes that operate downtown.
Additional light rail service will be available throughout the day on Saturday.
A free rail shuttle between Steel Plaza and Penn Station on the East Busway will run from about 8 a.m. until streets are reopened.
Extra service is dependent upon employee availability.
Although the Monongahela Incline remains closed for repairs, shuttle buses will continue to operate between Grandview Avenue and Station Square.
For more information, riders are encouraged to visit PortAuthority.org or call Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or 412-231-7007 for TTY.
March 8, 2019 - Pennies to no longer be accepted on Port Authority vehicles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 8, 2019) - To speed up boarding and reduce farebox downtime, pennies will soon no longer be accepted on Port Authority vehicles.
A software upgrade that began this week will cause the fareboxes to lose the ability to accept pennies. Port Authority vehicles collect about $15 a day in pennies.
Port Authority vehicles have been accepting pennies since March 2018. Prior to that time, pennies had not been accepted on vehicles since 2012.
The Downtown Service Center will continue to accept pennies.
March 5, 2019 - Quarterly schedule adjustments begin March 17, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 5, 2019) - Port Authority will add trips to four bus routes serving Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood as part of its quarterly service updates that begin on Sunday, March 17, 2019.
Additional trips will be added to the 71B-Highland Park, the 71D-Hamilton, the 75-Ellsworth, and the 83-Bedford Hill to reduce overcrowding and rider pass-ups.
The quarterly adjustments also ensure that Hazelwood Green will be served by the 57-Hazelwood as soon as the private streets are dedicated to the city. Buses will continue to use Irvine Street until that time.
In addition to the changes above, schedules for more than two-dozen bus routes also will be updated. The full list of changes can be found here.
Riders with questions about the changes are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or 412-231-7007 for TTY. Customer Service representatives are available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
March 5, 2019 - ConnectCard Online Portal Down for Updates Starting March 6
Beginning Wednesday, March 6, and for a few days after, our online ConnectCard portal and many retail vendors will be unable to sell or reload ConnectCards while our vendor updates the system. Customer Service will not be able to access account information, such as your balance, while these updates are being made.
During this time you can still purchase or reload your ConnectCard with cash at ConnectCard machines, or you may visit the Downtown Service Center at 623 Smithfield St. on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. for cash, debit, and credit payments.
We will let you know as soon as the online portal is back up and running. We apologize for any inconvenience, and appreciate your patience while we make these updates.
If you have any questions, Customer Service is available at 412-442-2000, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends.
Feb. 20, 2019 - Mon Incline service update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 20, 2019) - The Monongahela Incline will remain closed for an additional six to eight weeks as efforts are made to ensure the safety and stability of the upper station following damage that occurred as the result of three water main breaks earlier this year.
Engineers have assessed the damage and are in the process of determining what repairs will be required to reopen the 149-year-old incline. Port Authority is working closely with Gannett Fleming and Michael Facchiano Contracting.
A Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority water main that runs along Grandview Avenue in Mt. Washington broke on January 19, flooding the upper station and closing the incline for five days. Nearly two weeks later, the water main broke in two separate locations within a 24 hour period, causing significant damage to both the internal mechanics of the incline and the building structure. The incline has been out of service since February 4.
The Monongahela Incline first opened in 1870 and is the oldest continuously operated funicular in the country. The incline is used by daily commuters and tourists alike, with nearly 600,000 unlinked passenger trips counted in 2018.
Shuttle buses will continue to operate between the upper and lower stations until incline service is restored.
Feb. 6, 2019 - Phase I of Wood Street Station upgrade project complete; Phase II to begin next week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 6, 2019) - Contractors have completed the first phase of the Wood Street Station upgrade project and will move on to the second phase beginning next week.
Contractors plan to remove the scaffolding the night of Monday, February 10, and reopen the Sixth Avenue entrance by the morning of Tuesday, February 11. That same day, they will close the Wood Street entrance to complete the work, which is expected to take four to six weeks. Elevator access will be maintained throughout construction.
Contractors started Phase I in mid-December. The project includes includes installing a new perforated metal ceiling at street level, updating lighting to more energy-efficient LED lights, and refurbishing the ornamental fixtures that hang throughout the building.
The work is part of a $2 million project to enhance various Port Authority-owned facilities, including South Hills Junction, Steel Plaza Station, and three garages. The general contractor is Arcon Contracting of New Kensington.
Feb. 6, 2019 - Port Authority submits invoice to Norfolk Southern for costs related to summer 2018 freight train derailment at Station Square
Feb. 5, 2019 - Mon Incline out of service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - (Feb. 5, 2019) The Monongahela Incline will remain out of service for an undetermined amount of time after a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority water main broke on Monday afternoon and flooded the upper station.
Port Authority engineers and contractors on Tuesday began evaluating the damage caused by the significant amount of water that came into the station from Grandview Avenue as well as from below ground.
Crews have begun cleaning up as much water as possible so they can restore power to the 149-year-old funicular. Only once power is restored can engineers determine the extent of the damage the water had on the electrical and mechanical systems, as well as any structural damage to the building itself. At this time, we do not have any estimate for how long the incline will be out of service.
Shuttle buses will continue to operate between the upper and lower stations during regular Monongahela Incline hours. On weekdays from 5:45 a.m to 2 p.m. riders can board buses to Grandview Avenue at Shiloh Street from the bus stop to the right of the lower station. On weekdays from 2 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. riders can board buses to Grandview Avenue at Shiloh Street from the bus stop behind Station Square. Riders can board buses to Grandview Avenue at Shiloh Street from the bus stop behind Station Square all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, riders are encouraged to call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.
Dec. 17, 2018 - Wood Street Station renovations and upgrades begin today
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 17, 2018) - The Sixth Avenue entrance to Wood Street Station will be closed for about a month, beginning today, for renovations and upgrades.
Once the Sixth Avenue entrance is reopened, contractors will close the Wood Street entrance for an additional month to complete their work. Elevator access will be maintained for the duration of the project.
Upgrades to Wood Street Station will make the building brighter and more inviting. The work includes installing a new perforated metal ceiling at street level, updating lighting to more energy-efficient LEDs, and refurbishing the ornamental fixtures that hang throughout the building.
The work is part of a $2 million project to enhance various Port Authority-owned facilities, including South Hills Junction, Steel Plaza Station, and three garages. Arcon Contracting of New Kensington is the general contractor.
Nov. 15, 2018 - Light Up Night Service Information
Nov. 7, 2018 - Veterans Day service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Nov. 7, 2018) - Port Authority bus and light rail service will operate on holiday schedules on Monday, November 11, 2018, in observance of Veterans Day.
Several bus routes will be detoured from about 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. for the annual Veterans Day parade in downtown Pittsburgh.
Customer Service phone representatives will be available on Monday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 412-442-2000 or 412-231-7007 for TTY.
Port Authority’s administrative offices and the Downtown Service Center will be closed.
November 6, 2018 - Quarterly service changes go into effect Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018