Transit Funding Crisis

The 2025-2027 Transit Funding Crisis

Pennsylvania’s public transit systems rely heavily on state funding to operate. Funding was flat from 2014 to 2024 and is no longer able to support current service levels. Short-term action taken in 2025 will defer Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s $100 million-plus operating budget deficit to 2027.

According to the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) website:

“PennDOT has granted PRT approval to use up to $106.7 million in capital funding to support its operating budget. PRT will use this funding to plug a $100 million hole in its 2025-26 operating budget and use the remainder - plus a mix of state and local funding, and reserve funds - to stave off the proposed cuts for two years.”

See more detailed media coverage here.

This means that the deficit is expected to reemerge in the agency’s 2027-2028 fiscal year budget without action from the Pennsylvania General Assembly to approve a source of sustainable funding for PRT, SEP and other agencies across the state.

What’s at risk?

Prior to permission to shift funds, PRT was planning massive service cuts; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) had already implemented and rescinded similar. Lacking additional ways to close the widening gap, PRT was forced to propose reducing service and increasing fares to balance their budget:

  • 35% to 40% reduction in PRT service

  • 60% reduction in ACCESS service

  • 9% fare increase for PRT

  • 14%-24% fare increase for ACCESS service

  • 41 bus and T routes eliminated

  • Every route will be impacted including in equity communities

PRT and SEPTA are the best-known but not the only agencies impacted by state-level inaction: all 67 counties in the commonwealth have subsidized transportation services and all these transit providers are also on a cliff. This includes the other nine agencies in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

What can we do?

We urge residents, businesses, and organizations to come out in support of transit. Make your voice heard by:

  • Contacting your state elected officials to let them know how important transit is to you and those you help. Not sure who is your state representative and state senator? Click here.

  • Joining Mobilify’s efforts as we strive to amplify the voices of our community. Email info@mobilify.org to sign up.