By Rep. Kinkead

As a state representative serving Allegheny County, I hear from constituents every day who rely on Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) to get to work, the doctor’s office, school, and to see loved ones. Indeed, members of my own staff rely exclusively on PRT to get them to my office to serve you. Public transit isn’t just another line item in the budget — it’s a lifeline for our communities. And right now, as PRT riders already know, that lifeline is in jeopardy.

Facing a historic budget shortfall of $100 million, PRT may soon be forced to enact its single largest service cut in many decades. Without significant additional funding in the 2025-26 state budget, we could see sweeping service reductions, fare hikes, and the unraveling of a system that tens of thousands of Allegheny County residents depend on every day.

These cuts are not theoretical. PRT has already put forward a proposal detailing the scale of the reductions it will be forced to make. Routes will disappear. Wait times will be longer. Fares will increase. Accessibility will worsen. This is not about improving or expanding our transit network — it’s about trying to save what we already have. According to PRT, it’s estimated that maintaining current service levels alone would require an additional $117 million annually from the state, with compounding annual increases over the next decade. And that doesn’t even factor in the cost of modernization or expanding service to underserved communities.

The situation has become this dire because of a confluence of challenges. The expiration of Act 89 — a critical source of state funding for transit since 2013 — and the drying up of federal pandemic relief funds have created a massive hole in PRT’s budget. And yet, even if we approve Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed state budget, it doesn’t go nearly far enough to close that gap. PRT’s requested increase exceeds the governor’s proposed allocation because the need is that great.

Here’s what’s even more frustrating: we’ve tried to be proactive to avoid this situation entirely. In the previous legislative session, I proudly voted for not one, not two, but THREE separate bills to increase funding for public transit statewide. Each time, I stood with my Democratic colleagues to say clearly: public transit is a priority. Each time, every Republican state representative in Allegheny County voted no. And, each time, Republican leaders in the state Senate refused to even take these bills up for a vote.

That’s not just a failure of leadership. It’s a betrayal of the people we’re supposed to serve.

It should not be a partisan issue to ensure that people can get to their jobs or their medical appointments. It shouldn’t be controversial to say that cities like Pittsburgh deserve functioning and accessible public transit systems. And yet, here we are, begging for the basic funding required to keep buses running and trains operating so that people can live their lives. But it’s even more frustrating when you realize that this isn’t just about Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. There is public transit in every single county in Pennsylvania and failing to provide funding hurts everyone.

The consequences of this inaction will reverberate throughout our region and the Commonwealth. Workers who rely on public transit will struggle to get to work or may even be forced to find a different job. Seniors will be cut off from essential services. Low-income families will bear the brunt of fare increases and route eliminations. And let’s not forget the environmental impact. When we force more people to use cars instead of transit, carbon emissions increase dramatically.

And, as businesses increasingly consider factors like access to public transit when determining whether to locate their businesses in certain areas, Allegheny County and Pennsylvania stand to lose out on good jobs that would draw population back to our Commonwealth and region as a direct result of our continued failure to invest in these important public resources.

Failing to adequately fund public transit is not just bad policy — it’s cruel and shortsighted.

I’m urging my colleagues across the aisle, especially state Senate Republican leaders like Kim Ward, Joe Pittman, and Scott Martin — to come to the table. I’m calling on state Reps. Natalie Mihalek, Valerie Gaydos, Jeremy Shaffer, Jason Ortitay, and Andrew Kuzma to stand up for the people of Allegheny County and support the funding we desperately need.

I’m asking residents in Allegheny County to use their voice and help us save PRT. Submit your public comments to PRT on their website now through June 18 at 5 p.m. Let them know how these proposed cuts would affect your life. Also consider contacting the Republican lawmakers listed in the previous paragraph about how vital PRT is for our region. The time to speak up is now.

When we invest in public transit, we invest in opportunity. We support seniors and working families. We protect the environment. We build communities that are connected, resilient, and inclusive. We attract businesses and workers. But when we let our transit system crumble, we abandon all of that. And once those routes are cut, they don’t come back easily.

We need bold leadership and real action. We need a state budget that reflects our values and meets the needs of the people we serve. That means fully funding Pittsburgh Regional Transit — and public transit across the Commonwealth — not next year, not in five years, but right now.

I’m committed to this fight. My Democratic colleagues in the House are committed to this fight. But we can’t do it alone. The future of transit in Allegheny County depends on all of us raising our voices and demanding better. If you want to learn more about how you can help support the work we’re doing to save PRT, or if you need assistance with any state-related issues, please email RepKinkead@pahouse.net or call my office at (412) 321-5523. n