Pittsburgh Regional Transit urged to stop redesign of bus routes, fix ridership, on-time problems – Pittsburgh Union Progress

Pittsburgh Regional Transit System Redesign: A Report on Sustainable Urban Mobility

Introduction: Advancing a Modernized Public Transit Network

Following a temporary resolution to its funding crisis, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is scheduled to advance the next phase of its comprehensive bus line redesign. This strategic initiative aims to modernize the public transit network to align with evolving demographic and economic landscapes, thereby contributing significantly to regional sustainability objectives and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The PRT bus line redesign is fundamentally linked to several key SDGs, positioning the project as a critical component of sustainable urban development.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The project’s primary objective is to enhance access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems for all residents. By decentralizing routes and creating regional hubs, the plan directly addresses Target 11.2, aiming to improve connectivity and serve the needs of all community members.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): This initiative represents a significant innovation in public infrastructure. The goal is to develop a quality, reliable, and resilient transit system that supports economic development and human well-being through equitable access for all.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By improving mobility options for individuals reliant on public transport, the redesign promotes greater social and economic inclusion, allowing for easier travel between diverse local communities and access to opportunities.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): A more efficient and reliable transit network will improve access to employment, education, and economic centers, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the region.

Key Objectives of the Proposed Redesign

The redesign initiative was launched to address shifts in regional growth patterns and post-pandemic travel behaviors. The core objectives are:

1. Decentralize Service: To create a network that facilitates efficient travel between local communities without requiring transfers in Downtown Pittsburgh, fostering a more integrated regional transport system.
2. Improve Service Frequency: To increase midday and late-night service availability, better accommodating varied work schedules and social activities, thereby enhancing the system’s overall utility and accessibility.
3. Optimize Route Network: A preliminary plan proposed modifying 60% of existing routes, reducing the total from 95 to 77 while establishing 19 new routes to better serve current population densities.
4. Establish Regional Hubs: To create 20 regional hubs designed to facilitate seamless transfers and improve inter-community connectivity, a key component of achieving the goals outlined in SDG 11.

Stakeholder Concerns and Operational Challenges

The advocacy group Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) has raised concerns regarding the timing and feasibility of the redesign, highlighting potential risks to the project’s sustainability.

• Financial Sustainability: PPT questions the implementation of a costly redesign without a secured long-term funding solution, fearing that administrative work will proceed without the capital to execute the changes.
• Operational Capacity: Citing a recent service report indicating declining ridership and an on-time performance rate of only 66%, PPT expresses doubt in PRT’s ability to manage a system-wide overhaul while addressing current service deficiencies. This challenges the goal of providing reliable infrastructure under SDG 9.
• Ridership Impact: The group anticipates an initial decline in ridership as commuters adjust to major route changes, which could temporarily undermine progress towards sustainability goals that rely on increased public transit use.
• Alternative Approach: PPT advocates for an incremental approach, focusing on small-scale improvements to existing routes rather than a comprehensive redesign.

Agency Position and Path Forward

PRT leadership maintains that the redesign is imperative for the long-term health and relevance of the transit system. CEO Katharine Kelleman stated the agency can simultaneously improve current service and execute the redesign, framing it as a necessary response to public demand and a prerequisite for securing future state funding. PRT plans to present revised proposals to the public, incorporating feedback from the initial comment period. This iterative process is crucial for ensuring the final plan effectively meets community needs and advances the region’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This is the most relevant SDG as the article focuses entirely on urban public transportation. The efforts by Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) to redesign its bus line system are a direct attempt to make the city’s transport infrastructure more sustainable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its residents. The goal to “shift bus service to address changing growth patterns” and “decentralize service” is central to creating a more sustainable and inclusive urban environment.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article discusses the development and modernization of public infrastructure, which is a core component of SDG 9. The bus line redesign represents an innovation in service planning aimed at creating a more “quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient” transit system. The plan to establish “20 regional hubs” is a specific example of developing infrastructure to improve connectivity and support economic and social well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

  The entire redesign effort described in the article is aligned with this target. PRT’s goal is to “increase midday and late-night service and allow riders to commute between local communities without having to travel to Downtown Pittsburgh.” This directly addresses the expansion and improvement of public transport to provide better access for all residents, adapting the system to current and future needs.

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

  This target is relevant because the debate in the article centers on improving the quality and reliability of the public transit infrastructure. The advocacy group’s concern about service being “on time only 66% of the time” highlights the need to improve the reliability of the current system. PRT’s redesign is a strategic effort to develop a more efficient and sustainable infrastructure that can better serve the population.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Ridership Levels:

  The article explicitly mentions that “ridership is down 1.7%.” This is a direct quantitative indicator. An increase in ridership following the redesign would suggest that the new system is more accessible, convenient, and meets the public’s needs, indicating progress towards Target 11.2.

• On-Time Performance:

  The article states that “overall service is on time only 66% of the time.” This is a key performance indicator for the reliability and quality of the transport system (Target 9.1). Improving this percentage would be a clear measure of success for any changes implemented.

• Service Accessibility and Coverage:

  The article implies indicators related to accessibility through its description of the redesign goals. These include:

  • The number of routes (changing from 95 to 77, with 19 new ones).
  • The establishment of “20 regional hubs” to improve inter-community travel.
  • The availability of “midday and late-night service.”

  These factors can be measured to assess whether the transport system is becoming more accessible and comprehensive for the population.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: unionprogress.com