How many jobs can be reached by transit?

The map below illustrates the significant decrease in the number of jobs reachable by transit if service is reduced by 35%. These impacts are not distributed evenly across the region. Instead, they are highly localized, with some neighborhoods and communities losing access to thousands of jobs within a reasonable transit commute. In many cases, areas that already have limited transportation options would be hit hardest, deepening existing inequities.

This diminished access could have real consequences for employers as well as workers. Businesses located in affected areas, particularly in job centers outside of Downtown such as the North Hills, Robinson, Monroeville, and parts of the Mon Valley, may find it more difficult to attract and retain employees who rely on transit. Fewer accessible jobs means fewer opportunities for residents, and a smaller available labor pool for employers. In a tight labor market, this could hinder growth, limit hiring, and disrupt operations across sectors ranging from healthcare and logistics to retail and hospitality.

This isn’t just a transportation issue. It’s an economic one. Without adequate transit, the connection between people and jobs weakens, and the regional economy suffers.

How has transit access to jobs changed over time?

Over the last 20 years, PRT has had to respond to a series of budget cuts that have resulted in 36% less service, and about half as many transit riders as the agency once served. These cuts have resulted in PRT's service area shrinking, and frequency cuts that have increased travel times - meaning that fewer destinations are accessible to riders. In 2024, a typical Allegheny County worker riding public transit could reach about 120,000 jobs in an hour or less on weekdays - about 38% fewer jobs than the same worker could reach at PRT's 2008 service levels.

Use the maps and interactive dashboard below to see how service cuts since 2008 have affected the number of jobs a typical worker can reach from different communities in Allegheny County:

How has my municipality's or Pittsburgh neighborhood's access changed?

Use the drop-down menu below to explore changes to job access from different municipalities and City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods and what further reductions may occur if a state funding solution is not identified.