Calling all U-Pass users: whether it’s buses, “T” trains or the incline. The worries of losing a bus stop, an entire light rail line or not being able to get home from a Steelers game without the woes of Ubers and driving are no more – for now.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) approved up to $108 million in state funding from PennDOT to close a budget gap that PRT has described as a transit funding crisis.
If the cuts were approved, at least 40 bus routes across the transit system would be eliminated, the Silver Line “T” light rail route would be no more and all public transit service would end at 11 p.m. for every route.
Since the funding comes from PennDOT, PRT said some capital projects will be delayed. However, this does not include anything involving “safety-critical” work, as PRT describes it. The funding used to keep PRT afloat is typically used for maintenance and repairs, according to PennDOT.
PRT submitted the request on Sept. 11, which was approved the next day. Katharine Kelleman, PRT CEO, said the money will substantially help the transit agency but acknowledged it isn’t a perfect solution.
“I want to thank PennDOT for its quick review and acceptance of our request,” Kelleman said. “This approval gives us the breathing room we need to protect our riders and keep our region moving,” Even though this short-term fix isn’t what we were working toward, we will continue seeking a long-term solution that transit agencies across Pennsylvania need.”
PRT was not alone with the problem of budgetary instability. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), which serves Philadelphia and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania, also sought out additional funding for the state to try to close a $214 million gap. That request was approved, also tapping into PennDOT’s funding.
While PRT’s request for funding was approved and the transit agency celebrated PennDOT’s “band-aid fix,” Kelleman said PRT’s board still needs to amend its operating and capital budgets to be in line with PennDOT’s approval.
This comes after a budget made on June 27 in response to then-approved cuts, which was already announced with the intention of not having to put the emergency budget in use. Even at the time, Kelleman said that budget was not an indication that service cuts are finalized.
“Instead, it positions the agency to meet its legal obligation to pass a balanced budget by July 1 while preserving the flexibility to amend the budget later in the fiscal year should state funding levels change,” Kelleman said.
With this approval of additional funding from PennDOT, the budget announced in June will subsequently be amended. A meeting for this is scheduled for Sept. 26.
