Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s proposed “bus line refresh” has prompted concerns from riders and community leaders about potential service cuts in several communities, as community meetings on the plan concluded this week.Laura Chu Wiens, executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, addressed the PRT board of directors after demonstrating outside to highlight the impact of the proposed changes.“Shaler, Ross Township, there are parts of Penn Hills, East McKeesport, Bon Air that would lose all service whatsoever,” Chu Wiens said. “Those communities have already seen cuts over the last several years. They have unreliable service running once an hour, once every 90 minutes, so that means that the remaining riders are riders who would have left if they had any other options.”Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelOne area of particular concern is Shaler Township, the home of Hearth, a transitional housing program for women and their children.“Our whole mission is to serve moms coming out of crisis into stability, into permanent housing and longevity. We have to have public transportation as one of those core pieces for their long-term success,” said Christy Pietryga, CEO of Hearth.The nearest bus stop to Hearth, located at the intersection of Mount Royal Boulevard and Ferguson Road, is slated for removal under the plan. Pietryga said losing this stop would be devastating for the families they serve.“Moms are walking to the bus stop with their kiddos to take them to school or childcare, dropping them off with family and friends, or going to their activities, doctor’s appointments, you name it. This bus stop is essential for our families,” Pietryga said.The PRT website says the goal of the bus line refresh is to improve reliability, frequency and seven-day service, rather than to overhaul the system entirely.A series of formal public hearings will be held late this summer into early fall, after which final modifications will be made to the plan before the board considers adopting it.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s proposed “bus line refresh” has prompted concerns from riders and community leaders about potential service cuts in several communities, as community meetings on the plan concluded this week.

Laura Chu Wiens, executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, addressed the PRT board of directors after demonstrating outside to highlight the impact of the proposed changes.

“Shaler, Ross Township, there are parts of Penn Hills, East McKeesport, Bon Air that would lose all service whatsoever,” Chu Wiens said. “Those communities have already seen cuts over the last several years. They have unreliable service running once an hour, once every 90 minutes, so that means that the remaining riders are riders who would have left if they had any other options.”

Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel

One area of particular concern is Shaler Township, the home of Hearth, a transitional housing program for women and their children.

“Our whole mission is to serve moms coming out of crisis into stability, into permanent housing and longevity. We have to have public transportation as one of those core pieces for their long-term success,” said Christy Pietryga, CEO of Hearth.

The nearest bus stop to Hearth, located at the intersection of Mount Royal Boulevard and Ferguson Road, is slated for removal under the plan. Pietryga said losing this stop would be devastating for the families they serve.

“Moms are walking to the bus stop with their kiddos to take them to school or childcare, dropping them off with family and friends, or going to their activities, doctor’s appointments, you name it. This bus stop is essential for our families,” Pietryga said.

The PRT website says the goal of the bus line refresh is to improve reliability, frequency and seven-day service, rather than to overhaul the system entirely.

A series of formal public hearings will be held late this summer into early fall, after which final modifications will be made to the plan before the board considers adopting it.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.