Bus Line Refresh (BLR) is an update to Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s bus network that reflects how people travel today while building on what already works. Rather than a major overhaul, BLR keeps the routes that work, makes buses come more often in more places, adds seven-day service, and creates new connections to jobs, healthcare, and neighborhoods — all within PRT’s existing budget.

The Proposed Final Network is the product of nearly three years of planning and more than 25,000 public, riders, and operator comments.

No — "proposed" means exactly that. The Proposed Final Network is PRT's completed proposal, the product of nearly three years of planning and public input, and it now goes through the formal, legally required public comment and hearing process before any decision is made.

The two public drafts were working documents in an iterative process: PRT released a draft, collected thousands of comments, and revised. Where riders told us a draft went too far, the proposed Final Network keeps the service they rely on today — and it keeps the familiar route numbers riders asked for. The choice now in front of the public and the Board is between the network riders use today and the proposed Final Network. Every comparison you’ll see in project materials is between those two.

The formal public comment period runs from August 17 through September 30, 2026. You can comment:

• In person at either public hearing

• By phone with a voicemail public comment: (412) 566-5525

• By email to BusLineRefresh@RidePRT.org

• By written correspondence: Deliver physical documents or fill out paper comment sheets at the Downtown Customer Service Center (623 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222) or mail to PRT’s main offices at 345 Sixth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

• Through the project website

All comments received during the comment period are treated equally, no matter how they are submitted. Every comment is documented, summarized, and reported to the PRT Board.

Find all the ways to provide comments on the Ways to Give Comments page

Earlier phases were engagement that shaped the plan. This period is different: it is the formal, documented comment process required before the Board can approve major service changes. PRT spent three years asking what you want and integrating your input into drafts for your review. Now it’s time for the official record. If the plan affects you — for better or worse — this is the moment to say so formally.

PRT will host an online public information session on August 18, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It is a chance to learn about the proposed final network and ask questions of the project team. It is not a formal comment opportunity; it is simply an opportunity to learn more about the proposed final network in advance of the public hearings. The session will be recorded and posted.

PRT will summarize all public comments and present the Final Network Plan, the comment summary, and the Title VI service equity analysis to the PRT Board. The Board is expected to consider the major service changes in November 2026. All comments will be reviewed and reported to the Board as part of that process.

Compared to the network riders use today, the Final Network provides:

• More frequent service: 19 routes with 20-minute or better weekday peak service, up from 11 today — and overlapping routes create even more frequent corridors. 43 routes run every 30 minutes or better, up from 27 today.

• More seven-day service: more routes running seven days a week, with more midday, evening, and weekend trips — matching when riders travel today.

• New connections: to Oakland, East Liberty, McKnight Rd, Robinson, Monroeville, and more — many without going through Downtown.

• Continuity: 99.4% of current PRT riders would continue to have fixed-route service within a quarter mile of their existing bus stop.

Yes. Ridership has returned most strongly during midday, evenings, and weekends, and the Final Network shifts service to match. It adds seven-day service on more routes and more trips outside the traditional peak commute, so the network better supports shift work, errands, healthcare trips, and weekend travel.

Almost nothing changes for riders — your route number still works the way it always has. Earlier drafts tested a prefix system; riders and stakeholders told us clearly it was confusing, and the proposed final network drops it.

• Every route has a unique number following the historic numbering system riders already know. No two routes share a number, so there’s no more confusion about branches of the same number going to different places.

• Familiar suffixes stay: L for commuter routes (like 19L) and X for PRTX and airport routes (like 28X) — the same meaning as today.

• Route variants are named by destination, just like today’s 51 Carrick and 51 Brentwood.

• Route names describe the core area a route serves, not just an endpoint — more useful to more riders, and stable over time.

There are three ways to see exactly how the proposed network would work for you before you comment:

• Interactive Network Map: explore the full proposed network, with every route's alignment and timetable, on the project website.

• Find My Route: visit the page for any specific route on the project website to see its proposed changes and details side-by-side with today's service.

• Transit App trip planning: plan real trips on the Proposed Final Network using the Transit App on your phone. Available on iPhone and Android starting August 17.

If the Board approves the plan, PRT will implement the new network in mid-2027 as a coordinated service change. A phased rollout would mean months of a confusing hybrid system: old and new routes overlapping, connections that don’t line up, and riders relearning the system twice. One coordinated changeover means one transition, clearly communicated, with the full benefit of the new network from day one.

The months between a Board vote and implementation are for scheduling, operator assignments and training, bus stop and signage changes, and a major rider education campaign — preparation, not delay. Specific dates will be announced after Board action.

Bus Line Refresh is PRT’s answer to constrained resources, not a contradiction of them. The plan is fiscally constrained to today’s operating budget — it does not assume money we don’t have. Moving service hours from near-empty vehicles to crowded, high-demand routes is responsible stewardship of public funds. Total service is not being reduced; it is being redeployed to serve more riders, better. Delivering a more frequent, reliable, connected network with current funding also strengthens the case for future investment in transit.

PRT has a growth plan ready. If additional funding becomes available, the network is designed to grow — with more frequent service on more routes, additional direct airport service, and expanded coverage. Details would be developed and shared if and when funding materializes.

Specific stop locations are not part of the proposed Final Network plan. After Board action, PRT will conduct a stop balancing effort for streets served today and design new stops for new street segments under PRT’s Bus Stop and Street Design Guidelines. That work will include public input and analysis of pedestrian infrastructure, ADA accessibility, equity considerations, rider usage, and route connections

PRT remains committed to serving students and families by providing public transit service to existing Pittsburgh Public Schools locations. If PPS makes changes in the future, PRT will work closely with the district to make any necessary adjustments, so students continue to have safe and reliable access to school.

Bus Line Refresh is a bus network plan. PRT is separately launching a study of the light rail system; more information will be shared through that effort.