Latest news with #PRT
CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Community groups, riders calling on Pittsburgh Regional Transit to pause proposed service cuts
The conversation around Pittsburgh Regional Transit's proposed service cuts is heating up, with community groups and riders calling PRT to make a pause on the cuts. With 35% of PRT service on the chopping block and critical state funding stalled in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the clock is ticking. On Thursday, around two dozen riders and groups, including 412 Justice, Bike Pittsburgh and Lawrenceville United, joined together to call for a delay in the cuts, which are currently scheduled to take effect in February 2026. "These kinds of catastrophic cuts cannot happen, particularly when there is a runway to winning on a state level," said Laura Chu Wiens, executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit. Wiens and others urged PRT to tap into its limited reserves and postpone the cuts until October, giving advocates and legislators more time to secure a funding solution. "We are calling on PRT to use some of their limited reserves, knowing this is not a long-term solution and postpone these consequences until October," Wiens added. If implemented, the proposed service changes would significantly reshape transit access in the region. Forty-one bus routes would be eliminated, 54 routes would be reduced, the Silver Line would be discontinued, an 11 p.m. curfew would be implemented system-wide and fare price increases would take effect. For many riders, that means a daily struggle to get to work, school and appointments. "It's very stressful. It makes me disappointed that it comes down to this," said Kristen Greene, a PRT rider. "You would think transit would be the No. 1 priority." "It's important to everybody to have these buses not be cut. Maybe reduced, but not cut," said Linda Warman, PRT rider. While PRT leadership has not committed to a delay, they acknowledged it remains a possibility, though not without tradeoffs. "Every delay has a consequence," said Katharine Kelleman, CEO of PRT. "The longer we wait, the harder the landing. We can push off cuts, but that shortens how long we can survive or makes the nature of what we must cut more draconian when it happens." Advocates also called on PRT to release a cost estimate and plan to transition Allegheny Go into a full zero-fare system. "It's a boon to PRT," Wiens said. "It will help grow ridership and provide fare relief in a time when costs are rising dramatically across all sorts of basic needs." PRT says any decision to delay service cuts likely won't come until at least September.
CBS News
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
4 people hurt in crash involving Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus outside Fort Pitt Tunnel
Four people were injured Saturday morning when a car crashed into a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus just outside the Fort Pitt Tunnel. The 38-Green Tree bus was traveling inbound in the left lane approaching the tunnel about 9 a.m. when a car traveling in the right lane struck a guardrail and collided with the bus. Initial reports indicate the car's driver went looking for their phone, which had fallen onto the floor of the vehicle before the incident. A passenger in the car was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in serious but stable condition. The bus operator and passenger were also transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, according to a PRT spokesperson. A second bus passenger also transported themself to a hospital for evaluation. Officials said the bus sustained heavy damage, and the other vehicle in the crash was totaled. The Fort Pitt Tunnel was closed for about an hour before reopening.
CBS News
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Enforcement to begin for drivers using new Downtown Pittsburgh red bus lanes
Drivers who are caught using or parking in the new red bus lanes in Downtown Pittsburgh will be ticketing starting on Sunday. Pittsburgh Regional Transit says that officers with the Port Authority Police have been giving drivers verbal warnings since the lanes, which are for buses and emergency vehicles only, since they were installed last month. Starting on Sunday, that will change and tickets will be given out for drivers using the lanes. The ticket itself brings a $25 fine for a violation, but associated fees will bring the full cost to nearly $200. Drivers in private vehicles aren't allowed to use the red bus lanes in any manner, including for pickups, drop-offs, or for deliveries. "These dedicated bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses and emergency vehicles and are clearly marked to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of public transit," PRT said. "Drivers should pay close attention to street signage and lane markings to avoid violations."
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Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
MMRDA to build Dharavi as multi-modal transit hub with metro, rail links
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been appointed as the nodal agency by the Government of Maharashtra to develop the Dharavi Multi-Modal Transit Hub (MMTH). The state-owned agency has been tasked with conceptualising and developing the MMTH, as per a government resolution dated June 18. MMRDA will coordinate with various transport infrastructure agencies, including National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSIA), Central and Western Railways, and Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), to enable connectivity across rail, metro, air and bus networks. The proposed preliminary scope of the MMTH includes integration with suburban railway stations — Mahim, Sion and Chunabhatti; connection with Metro Lines 2B, 3, 8 and 11; linkages to the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) bullet train station, CSIA and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA); extension of the BKC Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system to serve BKC and Dharavi; and development of a 24x7 urban hub with retail, hotels, offices, a convention centre, restaurants and cafés. To begin with, MMRDA will initiate the process of appointing a professional agency to carry out the feasibility study and detailed structuring of the MMTH project. 'This multi-modal transit hub is not just a transport integration project — it is a vision for inclusive urban transformation. We are committed to developing a sustainable, future-ready node that connects people, services and opportunities seamlessly. After completing the feasibility study, MMRDA will propose a comprehensive implementation plan to ensure maximum modal integration and urban impact,' Sanjay Mukherjee, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said. Besides, the move comes amid the Dharavi revamp project that is underway through a joint venture between the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and the Adani Group. The Adani Group holds an 80 per cent stake in the NMDPL, while the remaining 20 per cent is held by the state government (SRA/Dharavi Redevelopment Project — DRP). The master plan of the Rs 95,790-crore DRP proposes to rehabilitate around 72,000 residential and commercial tenants across 47.20 hectares of the total net area, which is 108.99 hectares, and will be implemented in phases.
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Transit funding bill heading to Pennsylvania Senate for approval, includes money for Pittsburgh Regional Transit
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a proposal from Governor Josh Shapiro that would help fund transit throughout the state and now heads to the Senate chamber for approval. The funding passed in the Pennsylvania House by a bipartisan 107-96 vote. Governor Shapiro has proposed $292 million from his budget that would help support transit 52 different transit systems across Pennsylvania. "My proposal to fund mass transit just passed the PA House for the fourth time," said Governor Shapiro. "This bipartisan bill injects critical dollars into public transit across Pennsylvania and adds new funding to repair roads and bridges — because folks rely on both to get where they need to go. It's time for the Senate to get this funding done in this year's budget." The proposed funding comes as Pittsburgh Regional Transit has been speaking out about the lack of state funding it needs to keep operating without making drastic cuts. If the proposed budget is passed, PRT could see $40 million in funding to help support their services. PRT is facing the possibility of a $100 million deficit next year and without extra funding, the agency says there could be routes cut, stops eliminated, fare increases, and reduced services. In addition to PRT receiving additional funding through the proposed budget, transit agencies in Westmoreland County, Washington County, New Castle, and Indiana would all see additional money coming their way, also. It's unclear when the Senate will take up a vote on the proposed funding. The state constitution requires the budget to be passed by June 30.
