In response to public input, the proposal creates nearly twice as many routes that connect between communities without requiring a Downtown or Oakland transfer.

Bus Line Redesign also proposes a network with more opportunities to transfer between routes to facilitate these connections. This is made possible by a system of transit hubs across Allegheny County that will provide safe and comfortable conditions for these transfers.

How is PRT proposing to improve connections between communities?

PRT’s existing bus network has 10 routes that primarily provide connections between communities outside of Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. This small number, approximately 10% of PRT's routes today, is due to a historic model centered around Downtown Pittsburgh as the dominant regional destination for employment.

Economic activity over the last few decades and the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant changes to where people work, and where they are trying to go using transit. Public engagement during the fall of 2023 showed that riders wanted to travel directly between points of interest outside of the region's traditional urban core.

Bus Line Redesign responds to these needs by increasing the number of routes from 10 to 19 that make these connections. These routes provide 7-day-a-week service, and better match our riders desires to use transit to access local health facilities, grocery stores, and shopping centers.

How would transit hubs work?

Transit hubs would serve as major transfer points between multiple routes, helping riders get where they need to go more directly without the need to first travel through Downtown Pittsburgh. This will make many trips more direct.

Hubs would be located at PRT facilities and other locations such as major shopping areas. Specific locations off PRT property are still being identified and would need to be constructed or improved during implementation.

All of the proposed community connection routes connect to transit hubs. Learn more about the proposed Community Connections.

PRT has a number of these types of facilities in its system today including some busway and light rail stations as well as the McKeesport Transportation Center. This proposal would expand these hubs to approximately 20, and greatly increase the amenities provided at these hubs.

Riders can expect that these hubs will include a combination of the following features:

• Lighting
• Shelters
• Seating
• Information about transfers
• Fare vending machines
• Other improvements to create a comfortable and safe transfer experience

What about connecting to other transit carriers at the transit hubs?

Throughout this planning process, PRT has been engaging in discussions with our peer transit agencies in the region. One of the major topics is the conditions under which PRT and other transit agencies could connect riders at transit hubs.

There is significant interest in this concept, but a number of important issues would need to be addressed. These include:

• Aligning schedules and potentially increasing PRT frequencies to make sure passengers aren’t waiting too long;
• Safe and comfortable conditions at the transfer location;
• System of fare payment that ensures passengers aren’t paying twice (could be piloted with a subset of the group); and
• Transfers to non-Downtown destinations that make it worthwhile for your riders who have a one seat ride to Downtown.

If these issues can be addressed, PRT would include regional transfer information at relevant transit hubs. An example of this kind of shared transfer point today is the bus stop in Robinson Town Center near IKEA where PRT services and the RideACTA on-demand service offered by the Airport Corridor Transportation Association (ACTA) both operate.