Microtransit refers to smaller transit vehicles operating in areas that are hard to serve by larger buses either due to topography, road conditions, or dispersed populations. Bus Line Redesign is identifying microtransit zones where this type of service makes sense.

What can I expect from microtransit service?

Within these zones, vehicles could travel on fixed routes that stay within a community, or an on-demand service could be developed. The details of this service such as the cost to riders and types of vehicles will be determined during implementation of Bus Line Redesign. Under either service design (fixed route or on demand service), microtransit will connect to other PRT routes that serve the rest of Allegheny County. In some cases, PRT may remove existing fixed route service in areas once microtransit service is established.

The Draft Network 1.0 proposes four mictrotransit zones that PRT is committed to establishing with its existing funding including a recent Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant award. These four zones include:

  • Penn Hills: Largely aligns with the Borough of Penn Hills but also connecting to shopping/mall area in Monroeville.
  • Highlands Area: This area covers the Natrona/Natrona Heights, Brackenridge, and Tarentum area.
  • McKeesport: Largely aligns with the City of McKeesport and is anchored at PRT's McKeesport Transit Center.
  • South Hilltop: Includes the City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Beltzhoover, Bon Air, Carrick, Knoxville, and Mt. Oliver It would also include portions of Allentown, Arlington, and Hays. It would cover all of Mt. Oliver Borough.

The +20% Proposal identifies areas where additional funding could support more mictrotransit zones including in the North Hills, Reserve Township, McKees Rocks, Oakland, Pleasant Hills. Learn more about the +20% Proposal.

Map of Proposed Areas

Map showing four proposed microtransit zones.

Will microtransit replace PRT’s ACCESS paratransit service?

No. ACCESS provides door-to-door shared ride service for eligible riders throughout Allegheny County and will continue to operate as it does today. Microtransit service will be a separate service from ACCESS Paratransit service.