Proposed changes by Pittsburgh Regional Transit would create connections between Harrison and New Kensington and would operate seven days a week, transit leaders said.<\/p>\n
A new line, called Route 3, is part of a sweeping network revamp to more accurately meet the needs of riders. There are more than 34,600 people who live between New Kensington, Arnold, Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been a consistent request for additional service in the area, especially to have a seven-day regular service connecting to local destinations,\u201d said Eddie Phillipps, PRT communications specialist.<\/p>\n
Route 3 would replace weekday, peak-only service and add stops along River Road and First Avenue, while adding key destinations such as Highlands Mall and Allegheny Valley Hospital, according to Phillipps.<\/p>\n
Changes are part of the agency\u2019s Bus Line Refresh initiative, shaped by rider and operator feedback. Over three years, PRT has sought public input and collected more than 20,000 comments to help shape the plan, necessary because ridership is down 40% since covid and also because demand for transit exceeds the funding, staffing and operational capacity.<\/p>\n
PRT anticipates a projected $1.8 billion financing shortfall over the next 10 years.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been two decades since the agency made network-level changes. Ridership has returned more during midday, evenings and weekends than during peak commuting hours, according to the PRT website.<\/p>\n
Sections of Harrison, Brackenridge, Tarentum and New Kensington include routes with low ridership, Phillipps said. Changes are meant to boost accessibility by providing a seven-day regular route with local stops. PRT believes ridership will grow if there is more frequent service where it\u2019s needed most.<\/p>\n