Allegheny County to launch pilot program for low-income public transit users

By Ryan Deto | The Tribune-Review

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced Tuesday that the county will soon be embark on a 12-month pilot program to provide some low-income transit users with discounted transit passes, with the goal of potentially launching a permanent program in late 2023.

The program is being facilitated through the county's Department of Human Services, and potential participants will reside in Allegheny County and receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Fitzgerald said the cost of transportation has been one of the biggest barriers for users attempting to access public transit in the Pittsburgh area.

"We know that where people live, work, shop or receive healthcare are not always the same," said Fitzgerald in a statement. "Our goal is to find ways to help the most vulnerable in our community connect with the resources they need to benefit themselves, their families and their communities."

Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs said more details are still being worked out about how much discounted passes will cost and if they will be free for users, but the county expects the pilot will include a mixture of options.

Fares on Pittsburgh Regional Transit, the region's largest public transit provider, are $2.75 per ride, among the highest rates in the country. Transfers were recently made free, as part of an effort to help increase accessibility.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit CEO Katharine Kelleman said that PRT will be participating in the 12-month pilot program. The pilot is expected to launch a date to accept applications in November.

Discounted and free fares for low-income riders has been a longtime goal of local advocacy groups. The Fair Fares for a Full Recovery Coalition — composed of advocacy groups Just Harvest, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, and UrbanKind — commended the county and Fitzgerald for launching the pilot program.

According to the coalition, PRT fares fall heaviest on low-income households, who are simultaneously the most reliant on public transit and the highest likelihood of paying the full cash fare, which doesn't grant a free transfer.

"This pilot is the first step towards affordable public transit, a critical human need that, if met, would unlock access to healthy food, health care, child care, employment, and all of civic life," read a statement from the Fair Fares for a Full Recovery Coalition.

The pandemic has also taken a hit to transit ridership across the Pittsburgh area. Earlier this month, PRT officials told the Tribune-Review that the agency's ridership is at 60% of pre-pandemic levels. Bus ridership has recovered faster (65% of pre-pandemic levels) while light-rail is still below 50% of pre-pandemic levels.

The DHS pilot program will measure the effects of discounted public transportation fares in connecting residents to the services like medical appointments, jobs, grocery stores, and other amenities. Participation in the pilot is voluntary. Individuals who are already eligible for fare discounts through an employer, university or other program are not eligible for the pilot.

"Making human services more accessible is one of our top priorities," said DHS Director Erin Dalton. "We expect that this program will go a long way in helping people get to services, medical appointments, jobs or healthy food, while allowing them to spend their money on other necessities."

Allegheny County officials will be releasing more details on the pilot during its official launch at the end of October.

Ryan Deto is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Ryan by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .

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