People can share their opinions about Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s proposed fee increases and service reductions during a public comment period that begins today.
Since the proposal, which would reduce PRT’s service by about one-third, was released earlier this month, emotions have been running hot. Now, the agency’s executives say they need public input to help secure additional financing from Harrisburg.
People can provide input on what PRT is proposing in a variety of ways during the public comment period, which begins Monday at 8 a.m.
In addition to a public comment inbox that may be accessed by phoning the customer care number at 412-442-2000, PRT will have an online survey available on its website.
Additionally, PRT’s Downtown Service Centre, situated at 623 Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh, is where paper comment forms can be completed and sent.
PRT can receive written comments at the following address:
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
ATTN: Funding Crisis
345 Sixth Ave, 3rd floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Later this year, there will be three public hearings when individuals can provide in-person comments.
The hearings will take place at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum on Tuesday, May 6, the David L. Lawrence Convention Centre on Tuesday, April 29, and the David L. Lawrence Convention Centre on Thursday, June 12.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the hearings will take place every day.
All of this occurs as PRT faces a deficit of $100 million in the upcoming year, which is predicted to increase to about $2 billion over the course of ten years.
According to PRT leaders, this has been a long time coming, and without significant increases in state funding, they will have to make drastic changes. For this reason, they are urging people to speak up so that they can demonstrate to lawmakers the impact this will have on Pittsburgh’s public transportation system going forward.
Public comment period opens Monday on Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s proposed service cuts.
