PRT has invested nearly $2 billion in business located in 30 counties across Pennsylvania in the last five years.
What is PRT's economic impact?
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is a major contributor to the regional and statewide economy.
Over the past five years, Pittsburgh Regional Transit has invested more than $2 billion across 30 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, a powerful reminder that the value of public transit extends far beyond the vehicles on the road. This investment includes more than just buses, railcars, and infrastructure; it encompasses employee wages, procurement contracts, construction projects, maintenance services, and more. In doing so, PRT helps power local economies across southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.
The wages earned by transit employees ripple outward, supporting families, neighborhoods, and entire communities. Those paychecks help workers put food on the table, pay mortgages or rent, send their children to college, contribute to local taxes, and support nearby small businesses. Every dollar earned by a PRT employee doesn’t just support that household, it circulates across the Commonwealth.
Beyond direct wages, PRT’s investment reaches hundreds of vendors, contractors, and suppliers. From steel manufacturers and technology firms to construction crews and uniform suppliers, these businesses depend on steady transit funding to maintain jobs and grow operations.
Public transit keeps people employed, sustains local businesses, and supports a stronger, more resilient economy throughout Pennsylvania.
Key facts:
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Public transit supports nearly 40,000 jobs in Pennsylvania.
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Our 95 bus routes, three light-rail lines, and the Monongahela Incline are critical links to jobs, schools, and everyday life.
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PRT adds more than $3.2 billion in housing values and more than $100 million in additional tax revenue statewide.
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In Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s 2,600 employees operate, maintain, and support more than 130,000 trips each weekday.¹
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For every dollar public transit takes in, $5 is reinvested in our communities and beyond.²
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PRT also sponsors ACCESS, a coordinated, shared-ride paratransit service mainly for seniors and riders with disabilities.
Explore the data:
Use the maps below to explore PRT's spending impacts across Pennsylvania.
