Pittsburgh’s getting national recognition, and it’s not good.
Over the last two weeks, a chart has been circulating on social media showing the change in transit ridership from 2023-2024 as we emerge from the low-point of the pandemic.
Image Description: Bar graph showing Top 25 US Bus Agencies by ridership in the first quarter of 2023 and 2024, pictured in red and blue bars. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is the only transit system with lower ridership this year that last. Source was Federal Transit Administration, chart by Naqiy Mcmullen.
Notably, of the top 25 cities for bus ridership in the United States, allof them saw increases to transit ridership — except for Pittsburgh. (The New York City MTA is not represented on this chart, although it also saw increases to transit ridership over the past year.) On average, over the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) saw a daily weekday ridership drop of 9.4%.
“it’s good to be noticed by transit junkies in NY…there’s been a percolating story about ridership at the top 25 properties in the US and what’s going on in Pittsburgh. Looks like we have a data anomaly…and we’re looking at a couple different scenarios on reporting and tracking, and if there’s an adjustment to be made, we’ll be coming back out… there’s some administrative stuff we’re working on.”
PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman at May 2024 PRT Board Meeting
Amy Zaiss, a member of PPT’s research committee, pulled data from PRT’s Performance Metrics portal on their website from January, February, and March of 2023 compared to the same period in 2024, and looked at ridership changes by route. This data seems to confirm the statistics shared in the Twitterverse.
Notably, 57% of the total ridership loss over that period was due to significant drops in ridership on the 61D, 71A, 71C and 71D.
All of these routes used to go to Downtown, but in October 2023, they were permanently short-turned in Oakland. These service changes were implemented despite much vocal public opposition from PPT riders and workers.
In advance of these cuts, PRT argued that riders would shift to alternative routes, including 61A, 61B, 61C, 71B. While these routes did see a total average weekday ridership gain of 1173, it didn’t make up for the short-turned routes, which saw a ridership loss of 5231 in that same time period.
Other alternative routes that were floated included the 65, 67, 69, 82 and 87, but in total ridership fell by an average of 185 riders on weekdays over those routes as well. Therefore, it’s clear from the data that riders of short-turned routes did not switch to alternate routes but instead opted for other modes of transportation.
One of the other routes that experienced the steepest ridership percentage decline over the past year was the 89, where service changes cut off the Harriet Tubman apts. In addition, the 89 route no longer services the Kingsley Association and the library. This route experienced a 27% (or 56 average daily riders) drop between 2023 and 2024.
The Takeaways: PRT needs to trust riders and workers when we say what changes will make our transit worse. We’re calling for PRT to reverse the cuts on the 61 & 71s and proceed carefully with the “Bus Line Redesign” to increase ridership.
Our region needs a transit system that grows service and ridership, one that should be an outlier in positive ways. We believe that Allegheny County can be a national leader with a vision and a plan for ridership growth.
Last year, hundreds of bus riders and workers spoke up with concerns about the impact of the 61 and 71 bus short-turns on the Downtown to Oakland Bus Rapid Transit corridor and called for PRT to amend its plan. With this data in hand, we call on PRT to reverse these harmful cuts and restore the direct connections between communities in the East End and Homestead to Uptown and Downtown.
As PRT continues with its bus line redesign, they must listen to riders and workers in decision-making around service changes because they are experts in their own needs and experiences. The bus short-turns in Oakland prove what the data already shows: riders prefer reliable schedules and 1-seat rides. According to PRT’s 2015 rider survey, 80% of riders don’t require a transfer when using the route they ride most often. The transit network has existed roughly in the same layout for decades. People have chosen where they live, work, and spend time with their friends and family based on this network. The haphazard plan to change some of the largest routes by ridership should be a signal to PRT to approach the Bus Network Redesign with a do-no-harm approach.
However, right now PRT wants a Bus Network Redesign plan to be cost-neutral, leaving some communities to gain better transit at the expense of others. While the plan is still in development, changes to the network will cause further disruptions and schedule unreliability, making it difficult for riders to plan their trips. Over the past year, this has severely hurt ridership levels.
PRT must not let this happen again. We need a bigger vision for the Bus Line Redesign, one that expands service and access to transit for all of Allegheny County. Even in PRT’s most ambitious plan, they only want to increase funding by 10%, which is less total funding than pre-pandemic levels.
We call on PRT to lead the charge by re-imagining what’s possible. They need to be more proactive with advocating for funds and develop strategies to regain ridership. They need to fix schedules and create real goals and metrics to hire workers. Most importantly, they need to put riders and workers at the forefront of their plans.
photo credit TribLive. image description: photo of pro-Palestine Cease Fire activists in Pittsburgh holding signs and a Palestinian flag\
People at the Pitt Solidarity Encampment are asking for you to support them with your presence on Bigelow between Fifth and Forbes. They are also looking for the following supplies:
Portable power banks
Water
Coffee
Snacks
Support students. Support ceasefire. Support divestment from war and investment in public goods – transit, housing, healthcare, education, and all that people need to thrive.
We at Pittsburghers for Public Transit support the Pitt community encampment against the genocide in Palestine and in favor of the divestment of institutional resources from this military action. Many of our members are leaders in this movement, and we honor the courage and moral leadership of the students who are standing for justice in this moment. We oppose the violent police and military response to these peaceful protests.
The participants in these encampments have a right to this city and to public space. We all have a right to have our public tax money serving our needs – for affordable housing, public transit, public healthcare, quality education, and more – and not being directed towards war and the killing of innocent families in Gaza.
Follow these local organizations leading this movement for the most up-to-date information:
Credit Evelyn Ulysse. Image description: 10 people smile while standing shoulder to shoulder in downtown Pittsburgh during May 2024 Transit Tour. Some hold children, others hold bags, and others wear PPT and Casa San Jose t-shirts.
Public transit connects communities and creates community. Pittsburghers for Public Transit and Casa San Jose take new Pittsburgh residents on a Transit Tour from Beechview to Downtown Pittsburgh.
Being new to town is not easy. Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) and Casa San Jose understand that. That’s why we teamed up to introduce members of the Latino community to our public transportation system. We believe that being able to get around independently can bring a sense of security and dignity to people’s lives, assuring that they can access important resources and events.
The group traveled from Beechview on the light rail, locally nicknamed the “T,” to downtown Pittsburgh, where they toured important destinations, like the passport and WIC offices and Pittsburgh Regional Transit Service Center. Along the way, participants learned how to purchase ConnectCards and use transit apps to plan their travels, as well as local transit etiquette, i.e. when to request a stop on the bus, or always use headphones when using your phone, etc. The tour ended at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Downtown, where participants received library cards and information about family programming. Faces were beaming with excitement and pride!
If you want to learn more about PPTs Transit Tours and how to bring one to your community, reach out to us at info@ppt-test.jimkeener.com
El transporte público conecta comunidades y crea comunidad. Miércoles 22 de mayo Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) y Casa San Jose organizaron un recorrido de transporte para nuevos residentes de Pittsburgh desde Beechview hasta el centro.
Ser nuevo a una ciudad no es fácil. Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) y Casa San José lo entienden. Por eso nos hemos juntados para orientar a miembros de la comunidad latina de Pittsburgh a nuestro sistema de transporte público. Creemos que poder desplazarse de forma independiente puede aportar una sensación de seguridad y dignidad a la vida de las personas, garantizando que puedan acceder a recursos y eventos importantes.
El grupo de nueve viajaron desde Beechview en el tren, también conocido como el “T,” al centro de Pittsburgh, donde fueron a destinos importantes, como la oficina de pasaporte y WIC, y también al Centro de Servicio de Pittsburgh Regional Transit. A lo largo del camino, los participantes aprendieron cómo comprar ConnectCards (tarjetas de tarifas) y usar aplicaciones de transporte para planificar sus viajes, así como normas básicas, cómo cuándo solicitar una parada en el autobús. El recorrido terminó en la biblioteca, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Downtown, donde los participantes recibieron tarjetas de la biblioteca y aprendieron sobre programas familiares. Todos se emocionaron sobre sus nuevos conocimientos.
image description: PPT member Lorena shows how to use a Connect Card machineCredit Evelyn Ulysse. PPT Organizer Nicole Gallagher speaks to community members near the Red LineTour-goers waive and smile on board the Red LineCredit Evelyn Ulysse. Group walks through downtown Pittsburgh on transit tourTransit tour group all see how to use the Steel Plaza Connect Card machine
image description: Advocates from PPT, Just Harvest, the Food Policy Council, and the Alliance for Police Accountability pose with County Executive Sara Innamorato, and staff from the Department of Human Services and Pittsburgh Regional Transit at the Allegheny Go program launch.
The County’s new Allegheny Go program will enable half-price fares for 130,000 residents! Transit riders celebrate this announcement as a major step toward a more accessible transit system for all.
image description: Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato kicks off the press conference to launch Allegheny Go, the County’s new income-based transit fare program
On the afternoon of May 20th advocates from Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Just Harvest, the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, and the Alliance for Police Accountability celebrated as we stood alongside Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, and leadership from the Department of Human Services and Pittsburgh Regional Transit to launch the Allegheny Go program, a brand-new program to enable more than 130,000 of our neighbors to access transit for half fare.
The program will enable all residents who currently receive SNAP/EBT benefits and their entire household to access half-priced transit fare on all Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses and trains.
This is an incredible milestone in our campaign for more affordable fares. Since our campaign kicked off more than 4 years ago our advocacy has encouraged thousands of transit riders, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of elected officials, and dozens of organizations to uplift the call for more affordable fares. We would not be here today if it was not for their organizing. You can check out fairfaresnow.com to learn more about the campaign’s history.
image description: Sherai Richardson, PPT Member and affordable fares advocate, speaks at Allegheny Go program launch
The Allegheny Go program goes live on June 3rd. We encourage all people who receive SNAP/EBT to learn more about Allegheny Go and apply when the application becomes available 6/3/24. Additionally, we encourage all people who were included in the County’s year-long discount fare pilot program to check their phones and emails, because invitations went out last week for them to join the trial phase ahead of the June 3rd launch.
PPT will be organizing this June to ensure the Allegheny Go program is a success. Sign up at the bottom of this blog to join us for a canvass or tabling event. We need to connect with riders and people on the SNAP/EBT program to spread the word about the program and enroll their families.
Learn more about the new income-based transit fare program, Allegheny Go, and get ready to sign up before June 3rd!
image description: Staff and board members of Pittsburghers for Public Transit and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council pose together for a photo holding signs at the Allegheny Go program launch
You can help PPT organize to make the Allegheny Go income-based transit fare program a success by signing up for to spread the work during our June organizing push!
Come out and talk to riders in June with PPT! Want to ensure the success of this campaign and show Allegheny County that we are more than ready for fair fares? We need your help to spread the word about the new discounted fares program to riders and urge them to enroll. Sign-up to volunteer and we will contact you about training and upcoming tabling events!
Read news stories about the Allegheny Go Income-Based Transit Fare program launch:
image description: PPT Members who attended the transit Rider Transit Worker Solidarity workshop pose after their workshop
PPT’s Spring Training was a SUCCESS! So much energy, so many workshops, so many members built build bonds together. Our organizing will be stronger because of it all!
It is with great joy that PPT members declare our first-ever day-long organizer training a HUGE SUCCESS! For the last two months a Planning Committee of 9 members have been hard at work preparing a big day of skills-building. The committee first surveyed the membership to find out what skills people were interested in developing. They then took those responses and created an agenda of 10 workshops to dive deeper into those topics. They recruited 18 other members with skills to lead those workshops. And finally, they promoted the event and got nearly 50 members to join for the day of!
If you joined us at the 2024 PPT Member Spring Training, please fill out a survey asap to let us know what to improve for next year!
image description: PPT Members smile during one of 10 member-developed workshops
Check out the schedule of amazing workshops that were all led by members! And keep an eye out – we’ll be sharing recordings in the coming weeks if you missed it.
A Vision for Equitable Transit Service, co-facilitated by Bo Fan and Amy Zaiss
How to Make Our Transit More Accessible, co-facilitated by Brian Hatgalatkas, Laura Perkins, and Margot Nikitas
Sustaining Yourself in Movement Organizing, co-facilitated by Fawn Walker-Montgomery and Samey Jay
Art Making for Movements, facilitated by Marcel Walker
Press Training, Amplifying our Voices Through the Media, facilitated by Patrick McGinty
Worker and Rider Solidarity, co-facilitated by Akshai Singh and Marcus McKnight
Creating Presentations, facilitated by Dean Mougianis
Power Mapping, co-facilitated by Aly Shaw and Gabriel McMorland
How to Be An Ally to our Disability Constituency, co-facilitated by Alisa Grishman and Monica Still
Canvassing at Bus Stops & on Buses, co-facilitated by Ms. Teaira Collins and Connor Chapman
Beyond our members from Allegheny County, we had attendees join us from our Transit Riders of the US Together (TRUST) coalition- coming to PGH from as far as Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus, Kansas City, and Denton, Texas!
You best believe we had a very happy Happy Hour celebration afterward!
Image Description: Marcus McKnight from Philadelphia and Akshai Singh from Cleveland smile with PPT Staffer Nicole Gallagher
Enormous THANK YOU! To all of the PPT members who led one of 10 amazing member-developed workshops!
Akshai Singh
Akshai Singh, or shay (they/he), is staff for Mobility, Opportunities, and Vibrant Economy Ohio (MOVE Ohio), and a union barista and member of Starbucks Workers United. Shay helped found Clevelanders for Public Transit and is on DSA’s Green New Deal Campaign Committee as well as a board member of Transit Members of the US Together (TRUST Riders).
Alisa Grishman
Alisa Grishman is a disability activist and founder of Access Mob Pittsburgh, an advocacy group that utilizes positive approaches to making change, such as education and economic incentives. A self-described shameless agitator, Grishman has also been arrested multiple times fighting for disability rights with ADAPT, a national advocacy group. Her work has been recognized locally and nationally in such outlets as the Rachel Maddow Show, NPR, Huffington Post, Esquire Magazine, KDKA News, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Along with her direct advocacy work, Grishman co-runs Ballots for Patients and Care to Vote, sister efforts that respectively collect emergency absentee ballots from hospitalized peoples on election day and work with nursing and personal care homes to help residents register to vote and fill out ballots. In her free time, Grishman enjoys knitting and collecting antique books. She lives in the Uptown neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA.
Aly Shaw
Aly Shaw is a Research Analyst working in the state power mapping program at LittleSis. She works with activists and base building groups around the country to conduct power research on corporations, billionaires, and rightwing groups. Based in Pittsburgh, she previously spent 8 years as an environmental justice organizer at Pittsburgh UNITED and labor organizer at UFCW Local 1776. Over the years she has led campaigns to prevent the privatization of Pittsburgh’s water system, to make drinking water safer and more affordable, and organized grocery store workers to win higher wages and safer working conditions during the COVID 19 pandemic. She received her BA in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s in Public Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Amy Zaiss
Amy Zaiss has been a transit rider and cyclist all of her life, having lived car-free for the past fifteen years in five major cities. Her strong belief that better public transportation improves the quality of life for everyone led her to join Pittsburghers for Public Transit shortly after moving to the area in 2021. She contributed to PPT’s Represent Our Routes Report – a comprehensive analysis of the state of transit in Pittsburgh at the district level. Though it was her first introduction to speaking with elected representatives, it was not her last. She continues to stay involved with PPT and holds a leadership position in Pro-Housing Pittsburgh. When she’s not volunteering, you might spot her around town riding her e-bike.
Bo Fan
Mobility data worker turned advocate. They are a community researcher with Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Abolitionist Law Center, and the coveillance counter-surveillance collective. They are now the Pittsburgh Data Justice Project Coordinator at Urbankind.
Brian Hatgelakas
Brian has been an ACCESS and PRT transit user since his college days. He believes that we can improve on-time transit and strengthen ACCESS services by allowing riders to make same-day trips. Brian has been a PPT member since 2022.
Connor Chapman
Connor Chapman is a PPT member and is an active member of PPT’s organizing committee. Connor is graduate worker pursuing a PhD in sociology at the University of Pittsburgh and is also a volunteer labor organizer on the Pitt Grad Union campaign.
Dean Mougianis
Dean Mougianis has been a media producer for fifty years and an educator for thirty years. As a producer, writer, video editor and motion graphic artist, Dean has worked with a wide range of projects and clients, both commercial and non-profit. In the nineteen seventies was among the group of people who put community radio station WYEP on the air and served as an early station manager As an educator Dean has taught courses and workshops in various aspects of video production from beginner to advanced for Pittsburgh Filmmakers, as well as local colleges and unviersities. An early convert to digital media, Dean now specializes in teaching motion graphics and animation.
Fawn Walker-Montgomery
Fawn Walker Montgomery is a community leader, healer, activist, and consultant who is deeply committed to supporting her community, advocating for social justice, promoting Black Liberation, and advancing racial equality. She’s the principal consultant at Fawn Walker Montgomery Consulting and CEO/Co- Founder at Take Action Advocacy Group (TAAG). Fawn has extensive experience in public service and human services. She served two terms as a councilwoman in McKeesport and made history as the first Black woman to run for a State seat in the Mon Valley without a major party endorsement. Fawn’s mental and physical health suffered significantly as a result of years of hard work. After bravely facing a life-threatening battle with endometriosis in the public eye, she decided to start a blog. The purpose of her blog was to raise awareness about holistic natural remedies, such as herbalism, and the healing power of ancestral connections. Additionally, she shed light on the injustices faced by Black women in the medical field. She has a strong belief in using community organizing to push for change.
Gabriel McMorland
As Casa San Jose’s Human Rights Organizer, Laura Perkins is on-call 24/7 to respond to immigration and police detentions in southwest Pennsylvania. With the goal of a Pittsburgh region that is safe for all immigrants, Laura runs monthly new arrival orientations, Know Your Rights sessions, a jail visitation program, and legal clinics. She coordinates the Fondo Solidario, which pays immigration bonds and loans money to victims of workplace violations. Before working at Casa San Jose, Laura did human rights work in Honduras and Nicaragua, throughout two political crises. In her free time, you can find Laura legally observing protests, playing ultimate frisbee, and looking for window cats.
Laura Perkins
As Casa San Jose’s Human Rights Organizer, Laura Perkins is on-call 24/7 to respond to immigration and police detentions in southwest Pennsylvania. With the goal of a Pittsburgh region that is safe for all immigrants, Laura runs monthly new arrival orientations, Know Your Rights sessions, a jail visitation program, and legal clinics. She coordinates the Fondo Solidario, which pays immigration bonds and loans money to victims of workplace violations. Before working at Casa San Jose, Laura did human rights work in Honduras and Nicaragua, throughout two political crises. In her free time, you can find Laura legally observing protests, playing ultimate frisbee, and looking for window cats.
Marcel Walker
As Casa San Jose’s Human Rights Organizer, Laura Perkins is on-call 24/7 to respond to immigration and police detentions in southwest Pennsylvania. With the goal of a Pittsburgh region that is safe for all immigrants, Laura runs monthly new arrival orientations, Know Your Rights sessions, a jail visitation program, and legal clinics. She coordinates the Fondo Solidario, which pays immigration bonds and loans money to victims of workplace violations. Before working at Casa San Jose, Laura did human rights work in Honduras and Nicaragua, throughout two political crises. In her free time, you can find Laura legally observing protests, playing ultimate frisbee, and looking for window cats.
Marcus McKnight
Marcus McKnight is a lifelong resident of the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia with over 15 years of experience both working in the transit industry and advocating for better public transit. He has past experience working at SEPTA in the planning and customer service sectors. He has served as the chairperson of SEPTA’s Youth Advisory Council and was a part of a team that was instrumental in restoring all night subway service in Philadelphia. He is currently a schoolteacher, transit operator and cofounder of the Philly Transit Riders Union which is an advocacy organization that highlights the viewpoints of transit riders and transit employees.
Margot Nikitas
Margot Nikitas is an activist and labor union attorney based in Pittsburgh.
Monica Still
Monica Albert Still, RN, BSN is an adult with Spina Bifida who is proud to be among the first generation of kids with SB on the threshold of Senior Citizenship. Monica spent most of her life in Connecticut. She has spent her nursing career keeping people in the community. Working her way from client care in the home to starting two Home Health Care Agencies as the administrator, she decided to take on a new challenge. After 30 years in nursing, she has now turned her focus to the advocacy part of nursing and serving her community on a broader level. She is involved in advocacy at the local, state and national levels. Monica currently serves as a board member of Access Mob Pittsburgh. She is honored to serve as the secretary of the board for Disability Rights PA, chair fior the Mental Health Advisory Council and member of the CT Health Law Project board. She is on the planning committee for Disability Pride Pittsburgh. She is also a founding member of the SBA Adult Advisory Council and continues to serve to this day as well as serving on various other committees. She combines care with advocacy.
Patrick McGinty
Patrick McGinty is an English professor at Slippery Rock University and serves on the statewide executive committee of his faculty union (APSCUF). His debut novel Test Drive depicts life for workers in Pittsburgh’s driverless car sector.
Samey Jay
Samey Jay is a passionate organizer invigorated by her early experiences during the Occupy movement and her working-class background, she believes that our activism must be accessible, impactful to, and most importantly, grassroots-led. She was a founding member of Fight Back Pittsburgh, a community-labor affiliate organization of the United Steelworkers local 3657. Samey has developed digital organizing strategies and communications for local campaigns around Affordable Housing, Environmental, Racial, and Economic Justice, and has coordinated marshalls and volunteers for marches and public demonstrations around Pittsburgh for over 6 years. Samey’s activism is informed by intersectional ideals that prioritize wellness above all else. Samey now works for Thomas Merton Center as a community organizer.
Teaira Collins
Teaira Collins is a lifelong transit rider, a Hazelwood community leader, a mother and foster mother, and now a grandmother to six grandchildren. he is very active in the community, volunteering with The Mission Continues to help veterans and with the Hazelwood Family Support Center to uplift young mothers. Ms. Teaira also runs her own non-profit to advocate for those like her son Judah and other famlies with children who have Down Syndrome, and fundraises for the National Kidney Foundation to help research related to her daughter’s health.
PRT’s New Stroller policy should include public input from the disabled community. Join us at the PRT board meeting to advocate for policy that makes transit accessible for all.
We strive for access for all in our transit system. We know that if we work together as a community with PRT that we can make policies that positively impact and prioritize the needs of all riders. This is why we think the new stroller policy can be adapted to do just that.
The stroller policy on PRT is inhabiting the ability for disabled riders to get on the bus, or be safe while on the bus. With no guidance on how strollers should be stored while open for safety, and no policy on how to navigate using mobility device spaces on the buses for strollers, it is difficult for riders and operators to navigate situations where open strollers are inhabiting spaces where people using mobility devices need to be to ride the buses, and be secured to ensure their safety while on buses.
There are two spaces for mobility devices on buses that carry from 40 to 60 passengers. We have heard from disabled riders that they are often passed up on buses because there is no space for them. It is already likely that these spaces are used. Allowing open strollers on buses crowds these spaces even faster, making it difficult for disabled riders to even be let onto buses to get to where they need to go throughout their day.
We are at a critical point for making our transit more accessible for everyone in Allegheny County. The PPT accessibility committee and other members of our organization have created a letter to the PRT board about the policy changes. Accessibility Committee advocates will read at the leader and give testimony upcoming meeting on Friday, May 24th, 2024, where we will ask for changes that could positively impact the disabled ridership in Allegheny County.
Join PPT’s Accessibility Committee:
Read a copy of the PPT Accessibility Committee’s statement on the new stroller policy:
PPT Statement on New Stroller Policy
In the second half of 2023, PRT adopted a new stroller policy allowing open strollers on buses. Unlike other large transit agencies such as MTA and SEPTA who have recently revised their stroller policies, PRT did not obtain community feedback prior to this change and did not issue the new policy in conjunction with changes to bus designs to accommodate strollers outside of the accessible seating area. As a result, the change was made suddenly and without the engagement that would have alerted PRT to issues now being seen throughout the bus system.
Since the new policy was announced, people who use wheelchairs and scooters have been denied access to buses as a result of open strollers parked in the accessible seating area. Drivers have passed them at bus stops when open strollers are already present in the accessible seating area, and riders with strollers have refused to move from accessible seats when requested by drivers. People with disabilities are already negatively impacted by PRT’s infrequent service and now must contend with additional lack of access to buses despite their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
Further, the new stroller policy has not been implemented safely for children in strollers as well as other passengers. Open strollers are not consistently secured to prevent rolling while the bus is moving. Children are not always appropriately strapped into the stroller. People with disabilities attempting to use accessible seating often have difficulty maneuvering around a stroller in order to sit or safely park their wheelchair or scooter.
Pittsburghers for Public Transit, along with the undersigned organizations and community members, is deeply concerned about the development and implementation of this new policy. PRT failed to consult with people with disabilities, including the Committee for Accessible Transportation and the City-County Task Force on Disabilities, before making this change. The new policy has resulted in increased barriers for people who use wheelchairs and scooters, and we are troubled by implementation that appears to not comply with the ADA. It has also not been applied in a way that keeps riders, especially young children, safe. We are concerned that the failure to ensure both strollers and children are secure will result in harm to some of PRT’s most vulnerable riders.
In light of the above, PRT must take the following steps:
Consistently enforce accessible seating priority being given to people with disabilities, as required under the ADA, and seniors.
Provide training to drivers on the riders prioritized for use of the accessible seating area and how to navigate conflict over these seats.
Create designated stroller areas on buses that allow for open strollers to safely be stored on the bus in an area separate from accessible seating.
Require any open stroller to have its brakes engaged and be physically held by the individual controlling it.
Obtain community input on a final version of the stroller policy that supports parents and children without denying people with disabilities access to the only seating area available for their use on the bus.
Image Description: PPT Member Lorita Gillespie speaks at a rally to stop the cuts to the 61s and 71s.
Join the leadership team to coordinate the strategic direction of Pittsburghers for Public Transit. Nominations open until July 7th. Voting open from July 10th to 31st.
Pittsburghers for Public Transit is a grassroots union of transit riders, transit workers and neighbors. We fight for a public transit system that is expanded, reliable, accessible and affordable to all in Allegheny County, with no community left out. We operate as a truly member-led organization, and that sets us apart from other non-profits because it is our membership that actually elects our Board of Directors, develops and votes to approve our yearly campaign plan, and participates in our different committees to execute our successful campaigns.
Our organizational election season is a special time for PPT! We are looking for a new round of leaders who understand the importance of our work for transit justice in Allegheny County, and are looking to get more involved in directing the course of our campaigns, communications, and actions. Nominations are open until July 7th. The nomination of transit riders, transit workers, Youth, Black people, Indigenous people, People of Color, LGBTQ People, People with Disabilities, Immigrants, and Women are strongly encouraged.
Nominate yourself or someone who inspires you with their leadership, vision, and commitment to transit justice.
More about nominations and voting: 4 seats are open for PPT’s General Membership to run for. 1 seat is open for a PPT Member who is a unionized transit worker.
This year, the board decided to open at least 4 seats for General PPT Members to serve on the board. These people will be elected to the seats currently filled by Andrew Hussein, Fawn Walker-Montgomery, Ricardo Villarreal, and Verna Johnson.
Then our bylaws require that each year’s election reserves a seat for a union transit worker. This person will be elected to the seat that is currently being filled by Sue Scanlon.
Nominations for these seats are open until Jul 7th. All current PPT Members are welcome to nominate themselves or another PPT Member. Outgoing board members are able to self-nominate or be nominated by another to serve another term.
PPT members are all those who support the Transit Bill of Rights, have participated in a PPT action or meeting, and have given dues of at least $2.75 cents within the last year (the cost of a single PRT fare).
PPT staff will confirm with each nominee whether they accept the nomination to be on the ballot. Each nominee will also be invited to submit up to 250 words about their background, experience, and vision for the organization. This can be submitted through the nomination form, email, or via phone and PPT staff will transcribe.
All nominee bios will be sent to PPT Members the second week of June and again the first week of July. Bios and photos will also be included in the ballot. Nominees will have 3 minutes to speak at the July PPT member meeting before votes are cast to highlight their vision for PPT and how their skills will help build the organization.
Voting in the 2024 Board of Directors election will open at PPT’s monthly meeting on July 10th, and remain open until the end of the month. PPT members cast their vote via an online form that will be shared at the July meeting and emailed, or by calling PPT’s Director.
PPT Board Structure and Expectations
Each July, PPT members vote for leaders to fill seats on PPT’s 5-15 member Board of Directors. Board Members serve a 2-year term. 2 seats must be filled by members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 85 (the union that represents all of the Port Authority’s bus operators and maintenance workers) or another transportation union that represents workers in Allegheny County because strong community/labor solidarity is a central belief of the organization. The other seats are filled by members who have had previous experience with PPT’s work, and are looking to bring their involvement to the next level.
Members of the Board are expected to attend quarterly Board meetings and should also stay engaged with General Membership Meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. Additionally, Coordinating Committee members will need to maintain active lines of communication with PPT staff and other PPT members to advise and assist with the organization’s strategy, tactics, structure, and financial sustainability. CC Members should also serve on one of PPT’s three committees (Organizing Committee, Communications Committee, and Research Committee).
An excerpt of Article IV of PPT’s bylaws with full detail of the expectations and powers of PPT’s board is included at the bottom of this blog.
2024 PPT Board of Director Election Schedule
Nominations are open until July 7th.
Bios and photos of current nominees will be sent to members before the June PPT meeting and again the week before the July PPT meeting. Bios will also be included on the ballot.
July 10th, 7pm: PPT Monthly Meeting with Board Nominee introductions and Elections, voting opens
July 31st, 11:59pm: Final deadline for PPT members to submit their ballots online or via phone
Submit nominations through the link below, or by calling PPT’s Director, Laura Wiens, at 703-424-0854:
Excerpt from Article IV of PPT’s Bylaws explaining expectations and operations of our Board:
Article IV – Board of Directors
Section 1: Board Role, Size and Composition
The PPT Board of Directors shall hereinafter be referred to as the Board.
The Board is responsible for managing the business affairs, property, and policies of PPT. The Board shall be composed of five (5) to fifteen (15) members representing diverse interests and areas of expertise that strengthen the knowledge base of PPT. A minimum of two (2) seats will be reserved for members of the Amalgamated Transit Union or any union representing mass transportation workers in the Greater Pittsburgh Region. One of these reserved transportation union seats shall be elected in every second year. The Board shall have charge of the proper, normal, and usual expenditures and other business of the corporation; they shall enforce the provision of these bylaws; they shall abide by the policies and procedures set forth in the Policies and Procedures Manual, and shall enforce the rules and regulations set forth for the management, care, and governance of the property and affairs of the corporation. The Board may employ or appoint such person or persons, or agents, as they deem necessary to further the business of the corporation and shall set and adjust the compensation of all persons or agents so employed or appointed.
The Board will hire an Executive Director who may hire such paid staff as they deem proper and necessary for the operation of the Corporation. The powers and duties of the Executive Director shall be assigned or delegated by the Board of Directors. The powers and duties of the paid staff, other than the Executive Director, shall be as assigned or as delegated by the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors, in accordance with PPT personnel policies.
Section 2. Qualifications for Board of Directors
Board members shall be elected from the eligible voting, dues-paying membership, and only dues-paying members are eligible to run in the elections. Candidates for the board must have been a dues-paying member for six (6) months prior to an election.
Section 3. Compensation
The Board of PPT shall serve without compensation. Board members may be reimbursed for pre-approved expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of PPT. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to preclude a Board member from receiving compensation for their service to PPT in some other capacity, provided that the transaction has been reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee in compliance with PPT’s conflict of interest policy.
Section 4. Recruitment and Elections
Nominations for new Board members will be made and publicized by the Board, Membership, and/or staff, at least two (2) months before the Membership meeting at which the election will take place. Elections for the Board shall take place every year, with five (5) seats elected in even years, and six (6) seats elected in odd years.
Elections shall be announced verbally at the two (2) immediately preceding membership meetings before the election.
Dues paying members in good standing are eligible to vote.
Bios and platforms of candidates shall be distributed by email to members one month in advance of the vote, and publicized on PPT’s website. Candidates will have three (3) minutes to address the general membership in advance of the election during the general membership meeting. Voting will be open for a minimum of one (1) week.
Section 5. Powers
The government of PPT, the direction of its work, and the control of its property shall be vested in the Board. The Board shall be authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as may be deemed advisable for the government of the Board, the proper conduct of business of PPT, and the guidance of all committees, officers, and employees. The Board shall be empowered to do whatever in its judgement may be calculated to increase efficiency and add to the usefulness of PPT; and to carry out the main purpose of this association provided such action is not in conflict with these bylaws.
Section 6. Limitations
PPT shall be non-partisan and non-sectarian in its activities.
Section 7. Term of office and Maximum number of terms
Directors shall be elected to a term of two (2) years. Board members shall serve a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms.
Section 8. Meeting Attendance Requirement
Board members must attend a minimum of three (3) out of the four (4) quarterly board meetings per year by phone or presence. Failure to fulfill minimum board obligations may be accepted by the board as a de facto or implicit resignation. The Board member will be informed before the publication of such de facto resignation to the members.
100+ Transit Riders & Workers Rally in Harrisburg to support Gov. Shapiro’s $282M funding increase to improve service in all 67 PA counties
Transit riders rallied, met with legislators, and visited the office of every House and Senate official in PA. Our message was clear: Rural and urban Pennsylvanians across our state need better service NOW!
On Tuesday, April 30th, over 100 transit riders and workers rallied on the Capitol and called on legislators to pass the first increase to transit funding at the state level in over a decade, following Governor Shapiro’s budget announcement of a proposed 1.75% increase in the sales tax allocation to the Public Transportation Trust Fund. The proposed funding increase would benefit the millions of Pennsylvanians all across the state who connect to jobs, healthcare, education, and community via fixed route and paratransit services by bringing $1.5 Billion to these systems over the next five years.
Public transit systems operate in all 67 PA counties. Whether we are black or white, whether we live in big cities, small towns, or rural communities, all Pennsylvanians deserve safe, reliable, dignified transportation to the places we need to go. Legislators recognized this message and joined us at the rally. Thanks to Lieutenant Govenor Austin Davis, Rep. Nick Pisciottano, Rep. Ben Waxman, Rep. La’Tasha D Mayes, Rep Tarik Kahn, PH.D, Rep Mary Isaacson, State Rep Paul Takac, Rep. Ed Neilson, Rep. Danilo Burgos for joining.
“Across the state, nearly 1 million Pennsylvanians’ use public transit every single day. We’re talking about young people going to school. Workers going to their jobs. Seniors going to their medical appointments and shopping. Without transit, Pennsylvania’s economy would come to a screeching halt. Investing in transit is key to our economic competitiveness and our economic future. That’s why the Governor and I have proposed a state budget that includes the first major new investment in public transit in more than a decade,” said Lt. Gov Austin Davis.
After the rally, advocates hand-delivered literature packets to the offices of 253 State Representatives and Senators explaining why they should expand transit access. Senator Costa even introduced the Transit for All PA! campaign on the Senate floor!
Help us follow up and send your elected officials in Harrisburg a letter asking them to expand transit access!
In rural counties, small towns and big cities across PA, transit riders and workers are facing catastrophic service cuts, fare hikes, and layoffs due to inadequate operating funding. This proposal provides transit agencies that provide service to every PA county with the resources to stabilize and expand service, improve the affordability of fares, and offer competitive compensation to recruit and retain the transit workforce.
“The Governor’s proposed funding increase would make a huge difference to Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) and the communities they serve. Each year, over 82,000 people utilize this bus system to go to work, school, visit family, go to the doctor, or go on vacation. Let’s face it. If you don’t own a personal vehicle, then there’s often simply no other way to get to travel from one of these places [Altoona, Johnstown, Scranton, Williamsport,etc] to the other,” said State Rep Paul Takac, who represents Centre County.
But, public transportation is essential for every walk of life. From getting people to school, work, the grocery store, doctors appointments, visiting friends, and going to community events. In fact, without public transportation, many riders wouldn’t have a way to get to essential places in their life. And, when there isn’t enough money for public transportation to run effectively, tough choices between service cuts and paying employees end up being made.
image description: Speaker and PPT Member Kelda Gorman raises her hands after delivering a speech at the t4apa rally
“When I hop on the bus, PRT has to decide between “are we going to maintain these vehicles for the safety and access of others?” or “are we going to pay our drivers so we can run them today?”, but with this funding they wouldn’t have to decide to cut service or pay to maintain and fix things that need to be fixed,” said rider Kelda Gorman from Pittsburgh.
When funding for public transportation is consistent, it helps our union workers as well to pay their salaries and health insurance, so they have job stability.
“We’re all here on the behalf of we want to protect our pensions, we want to make sure we’re getting healthcare, we need to be able to afford to pay bills and health insurance. We believe in funding fixed route service and funding our paratransit service. We need to get these people in order and their pay and wages in line, fairly, before we move on to take care of anyone else. We need to fund public transportation, in general,” said Lionel Randolph, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1436 Harrisburg and Legislative Director of the PAATU Legislative Joint Council.
Red graphic with yellow, off white and black writing, flowers, our PPT logo and a yellow bus image. Three circle frame pictures appear in the middle of the graphic.
PPT Spring Training for Members, Organizers and Activists! Saturday May 4th, 9am-3pm (with Happy Hour social time after!), at the Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Ave.
Its springtime! And the perfect time to kick our transit just organizing up a notch by honing our existing skills, introducing new ones, and growing the network of leaders doing this work. PPT is hosting a day-long training on May 4th to do just that. AND WE WANT YOU INVOLVED!
Our 2024 PPT Organizer/Activist Spring Training will hold workshops, panels, speakers, discussions and fun social time to grow our network’s skills and build the intersectional movement for justice that we’re involved in.
We will gather at Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House for the day-long training on Saturday, May 4th from 9am-3pm. To wrap up, we will spend some social time together getting to know each other because relationships are the core of movement work and we value our time spent with you.
Spring Training Workshop Schedule, co-facilitated entirely by PPT’s Members!!
9:15-10am
A Vision for Equitable Transit Service, co-facilitated by Bo Fan and Amy Zaiss
Sustaining Yourself in Movement Organizing, co-facilitated by Fawn Walker-Montomery and Samey Jay
10:15-11am
How to Make Our Transit More Accessible, co-facilitated by Brian Hatgalatkas, Laura Perkins, and Margot Nikitas
Art Making for Movements, co-facilitated by Marcel Walker
11:15am-noon
Press Training, Amplifying our Voices Through the Media, facilitated by Patrick McGintey
Worker and Rider Solidarity, co-facilitated by Askai Singh and Marcus McKnight
1:00-1:45pm
Creating Presentations, facilitated by Dean Mougianis
Power Mapping, co-facilitated by Alley Shaw and Gabriel McMorland
2:00-2:45pm
How to Be An Ally to our Disability Constituency, co-facilitated by Alisa Grishman and Monica Still
Canvassing at Bus Stops & on Buses, co-faciliated by Ms. Teaira Colling and Connor Chapman
Save your spot by RSVP’ing to join us on May 4th, 9-3pm at the Friends Meeting House 4836 Ellsworth Ave, Pittsburgh PA, 15213
Accessibility information
Space’s physical accessibility: Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House is an accessible location with an entrance ramp to the bottom level, and first floor level of the building. There are two accessible bathrooms, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor level. There is a large meeting room on the ground level and several rooms where workshops, panels, and activities will be taking place.
Getting there: Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House is located at 4836 Ellsworth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, on the 75, 71A, and 71B bus routes. The 75 lets you off at Ellsworth and Clyde, with a one minute walk to our location. The 71A lets you off at Centre Ave. and Millville Ave. with an eight minute walk to our location. The 71B lets you off at Fifth Ave. and Neville St. with a four minute walk to our location. If any of these transportation modes are cost-prohibitive for you, contact PPT to discuss options, at 551-206-3320 or info@ppt-test.jimkeener.com.
Covid procedures: Masks are encouraged indoors. We also encourage everyone to take an at-home COVID rapid test before arriving. Please stay home if you are feeling sick or have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19. There is outdoor patio and large porch out in the front of the building.
About the PPT Members who are co-facilitating our workshops
Akshai Singh
Akshai Singh, or shay (they/he), is staff for Mobility, Opportunities, and Vibrant Economy Ohio (MOVE Ohio), and a union barista and member of Starbucks Workers United. Shay helped found Clevelanders for Public Transit and is on DSA’s Green New Deal Campaign Committee as well as a board member of Transit Members of the US Together (TRUST Riders).
Alisa Grishman
Alisa Grishman is a disability activist and founder of Access Mob Pittsburgh, an advocacy group that utilizes positive approaches to making change, such as education and economic incentives. A self-described shameless agitator, Grishman has also been arrested multiple times fighting for disability rights with ADAPT, a national advocacy group. Her work has been recognized locally and nationally in such outlets as the Rachel Maddow Show, NPR, Huffington Post, Esquire Magazine, KDKA News, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Along with her direct advocacy work, Grishman co-runs Ballots for Patients and Care to Vote, sister efforts that respectively collect emergency absentee ballots from hospitalized peoples on election day and work with nursing and personal care homes to help residents register to vote and fill out ballots. In her free time, Grishman enjoys knitting and collecting antique books. She lives in the Uptown neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA.
Aly Shaw
Aly Shaw is a Research Analyst working in the state power mapping program at LittleSis. She works with activists and base building groups around the country to conduct power research on corporations, billionaires, and rightwing groups. Based in Pittsburgh, she previously spent 8 years as an environmental justice organizer at Pittsburgh UNITED and labor organizer at UFCW Local 1776. Over the years she has led campaigns to prevent the privatization of Pittsburgh’s water system, to make drinking water safer and more affordable, and organized grocery store workers to win higher wages and safer working conditions during the COVID 19 pandemic. She received her BA in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s in Public Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Amy Zaiss
Amy Zaiss has been a transit rider and cyclist all of her life, having lived car-free for the past fifteen years in five major cities. Her strong belief that better public transportation improves the quality of life for everyone led her to join Pittsburghers for Public Transit shortly after moving to the area in 2021. She contributed to PPT’s Represent Our Routes Report – a comprehensive analysis of the state of transit in Pittsburgh at the district level. Though it was her first introduction to speaking with elected representatives, it was not her last. She continues to stay involved with PPT and holds a leadership position in Pro-Housing Pittsburgh. When she’s not volunteering, you might spot her around town riding her e-bike.
Bo Fan
Mobility data worker turned advocate. They are a community researcher with Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Abolitionist Law Center, and the coveillance counter-surveillance collective. They are now the Pittsburgh Data Justice Project Coordinator at Urbankind.
Brian Hatgelakas
Brian has been an ACCESS and PRT transit user since his college days. He believes that we can improve on-time transit and strengthen ACCESS services by allowing riders to make same-day trips. Brian has been a PPT member since 2022.
Connor Chapman
Connor Chapman is a PPT member and is an active member of PPT’s organizing committee. Connor is graduate worker pursuing a PhD in sociology at the University of Pittsburgh and is also a volunteer labor organizer on the Pitt Grad Union campaign.
Dean Mougianis
Dean Mougianis has been a media producer for fifty years and an educator for thirty years. As a producer, writer, video editor and motion graphic artist, Dean has worked with a wide range of projects and clients, both commercial and non-profit. In the nineteen seventies was among the group of people who put community radio station WYEP on the air and served as an early station manager As an educator Dean has taught courses and workshops in various aspects of video production from beginner to advanced for Pittsburgh Filmmakers, as well as local colleges and unviersities. An early convert to digital media, Dean now specializes in teaching motion graphics and animation.
Fawn Walker-Montgomery
Fawn Walker Montgomery is a community leader, healer, activist, and consultant who is deeply committed to supporting her community, advocating for social justice, promoting Black Liberation, and advancing racial equality. She’s the principal consultant at Fawn Walker Montgomery Consulting and CEO/Co- Founder at Take Action Advocacy Group (TAAG). Fawn has extensive experience in public service and human services. She served two terms as a councilwoman in McKeesport and made history as the first Black woman to run for a State seat in the Mon Valley without a major party endorsement. Fawn’s mental and physical health suffered significantly as a result of years of hard work. After bravely facing a life-threatening battle with endometriosis in the public eye, she decided to start a blog. The purpose of her blog was to raise awareness about holistic natural remedies, such as herbalism, and the healing power of ancestral connections. Additionally, she shed light on the injustices faced by Black women in the medical field. She has a strong belief in using community organizing to push for change.
Gabriel McMorland
As Casa San Jose’s Human Rights Organizer, Laura Perkins is on-call 24/7 to respond to immigration and police detentions in southwest Pennsylvania. With the goal of a Pittsburgh region that is safe for all immigrants, Laura runs monthly new arrival orientations, Know Your Rights sessions, a jail visitation program, and legal clinics. She coordinates the Fondo Solidario, which pays immigration bonds and loans money to victims of workplace violations. Before working at Casa San Jose, Laura did human rights work in Honduras and Nicaragua, throughout two political crises. In her free time, you can find Laura legally observing protests, playing ultimate frisbee, and looking for window cats.
Laura Perkins
As Casa San Jose’s Human Rights Organizer, Laura Perkins is on-call 24/7 to respond to immigration and police detentions in southwest Pennsylvania. With the goal of a Pittsburgh region that is safe for all immigrants, Laura runs monthly new arrival orientations, Know Your Rights sessions, a jail visitation program, and legal clinics. She coordinates the Fondo Solidario, which pays immigration bonds and loans money to victims of workplace violations. Before working at Casa San Jose, Laura did human rights work in Honduras and Nicaragua, throughout two political crises. In her free time, you can find Laura legally observing protests, playing ultimate frisbee, and looking for window cats.
Marcel Walker
As Casa San Jose’s Human Rights Organizer, Laura Perkins is on-call 24/7 to respond to immigration and police detentions in southwest Pennsylvania. With the goal of a Pittsburgh region that is safe for all immigrants, Laura runs monthly new arrival orientations, Know Your Rights sessions, a jail visitation program, and legal clinics. She coordinates the Fondo Solidario, which pays immigration bonds and loans money to victims of workplace violations. Before working at Casa San Jose, Laura did human rights work in Honduras and Nicaragua, throughout two political crises. In her free time, you can find Laura legally observing protests, playing ultimate frisbee, and looking for window cats.
Marcus McKnight
Marcus McKnight is a lifelong resident of the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia with over 15 years of experience both working in the transit industry and advocating for better public transit. He has past experience working at SEPTA in the planning and customer service sectors. He has served as the chairperson of SEPTA’s Youth Advisory Council and was a part of a team that was instrumental in restoring all night subway service in Philadelphia. He is currently a schoolteacher, transit operator and cofounder of the Philly Transit Riders Union which is an advocacy organization that highlights the viewpoints of transit riders and transit employees.
Margot Nikitas
Margot Nikitas is an activist and labor union attorney based in Pittsburgh.
Monica Still
Monica Albert Still, RN, BSN is an adult with Spina Bifida who is proud to be among the first generation of kids with SB on the threshold of Senior Citizenship. Monica spent most of her life in Connecticut. She has spent her nursing career keeping people in the community. Working her way from client care in the home to starting two Home Health Care Agencies as the administrator, she decided to take on a new challenge. After 30 years in nursing, she has now turned her focus to the advocacy part of nursing and serving her community on a broader level. She is involved in advocacy at the local, state and national levels. Monica currently serves as a board member of Access Mob Pittsburgh. She is honored to serve as the secretary of the board for Disability Rights PA, chair fior the Mental Health Advisory Council and member of the CT Health Law Project board. She is on the planning committee for Disability Pride Pittsburgh. She is also a founding member of the SBA Adult Advisory Council and continues to serve to this day as well as serving on various other committees. She combines care with advocacy.
Patrick McGinty
Patrick McGinty is an English professor at Slippery Rock University and serves on the statewide executive committee of his faculty union (APSCUF). His debut novel Test Drive depicts life for workers in Pittsburgh’s driverless car sector.
Samey Jay
Samey Jay is a passionate organizer invigorated by her early experiences during the Occupy movement and her working-class background, she believes that our activism must be accessible, impactful to, and most importantly, grassroots-led. She was a founding member of Fight Back Pittsburgh, a community-labor affiliate organization of the United Steelworkers local 3657. Samey has developed digital organizing strategies and communications for local campaigns around Affordable Housing, Environmental, Racial, and Economic Justice, and has coordinated marshalls and volunteers for marches and public demonstrations around Pittsburgh for over 6 years. Samey’s activism is informed by intersectional ideals that prioritize wellness above all else. Samey now works for Thomas Merton Center as a community organizer.
Teaira Collins
Teaira Collins is a lifelong transit rider, a Hazelwood community leader, a mother and foster mother, and now a grandmother to six grandchildren. he is very active in the community, volunteering with The Mission Continues to help veterans and with the Hazelwood Family Support Center to uplift young mothers. Ms. Teaira also runs her own non-profit to advocate for those like her son Judah and other famlies with children who have Down Syndrome, and fundraises for the National Kidney Foundation to help research related to her daughter’s health.
PPT’s Spring Training was developed by members and will be delivered by members! There is so much knowledge in our crew – come join us Saturday, 5/4 from 9am-3pm at the Friends Meeting House 4836 Ellsworth Ave to bloom with the PPT fam!
Image description: More than a dozen people stand on a staircase smiling and holding signs reading “All in Allegheny” and “Reliable, Modern Transportation and Infrastructure” with County Executive Sara Innamorato in the center.
Transit riders and workers are setting the agenda and continuing to work toward our goals
This past week, new County Executive Sara Innamorato completed her first 100 Days in office, posted the results of the Countywide All-In Allegheny survey of resident needs and priorities, and launched her Administration’s All-In Action Plan, which lays out the County’s agenda for the next few years.
In November 2023, Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s Executive Director Laura Chu Wiens was named a Co-Chair of new County Executive Sara Innamorato’s Transition Committee for Transportation and Infrastructure. Over the last several months, Laura facilitated the committee’s members, which also included PPT member Alisa Grishman and ATU Local 85 President Business Agent Ross Nicotero, in developing and sharing the All in Allegheny survey. This survey was the most expansive and inclusive outreach effort in our County’s history.
The results? More than 18,000 Allegheny County residents overwhelmingly named affordable, reliable public transit as top priority for the new ACE Administration.
Allegheny County residents identified having a low-income transit fare program as critical to addressing the needs of workers, placing it as a #2 priority for workforce needs in the survey of more than 18,000 Allegheny County respondents.
Under the broad topic of infrastructure, survey respondents also selected affordable, reliable public transportation options as a the #2 priority overall. Residents living in the City of Pittsburgh and immediate surrounds, and those between the ages of 18-44, placed it as their top choice. Importantly, those that selected public transportation as their highest infrastructure priority were also those that had access to a baseline quality of bus service or the T; in other words, residents reliably see the value of public transportation if it’s made available to them.
The All In Action Plan that County Executive Innamorato published on her 100th Day in office is now live. While it makes mention of some transit rider priorities- launching the permanent low-income fare program (but at a 50% discount), expanding language access on transit, expanding transit-oriented development and housing affordability, and asking Pittsburgh Regional Transit to consider adding a service expansion plan to its Bus Network redesign process- there is much more that we expect to achieve with this new Administration. In early 2023, transit riders developed the list of demands for the County Executive, which we will continue to elevate as part of this year’s #VoteTransit bucket of our annual Strategic Plan.
Transit riders and workers with Pittsburghers for Public Transit will continue to organize towards these six important goals over the course of County Executive’s tenure:
For Equitable and Expanded Transit Funding(like supporting the statewide increase to transit funding for service, and launching a PRT Bulk Discount Employer Pass Program)
For Fully Accessible Transit, including for Disability and language access.
For Policies Ensuring High-Quality Affordable Housing near High-Quality Transit
For Reliable, Expanded Transit Service
To work with PRT to ramp up its recruitment strategy and incentives, and speak with transit workers to address morale so that workers feel supported in the role.
To address the historic schedule unreliability by ensuring that PRT schedulers provide adequate run time for transit operators to get to their stops.
In just these last few months, there has been a clear and positive shift in the level of collaboration between the office of the County Executive, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and PPT. With a transit champion in County Executive Innamorato, we look forward to advancing transit rider priorities over the next few years– and meeting our region’s economic, environmental and equity needs at the same time!
