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WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed 2024-25 state budget includes an increase in the state share of public transit funding by 1.75% - a $282.8 million investment in public transit systems across Pennsylvania; and,
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WHEREAS, this increase would mean an annual $40 million boost for Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT)-the largest increase the agency has seen in state funding since 2013; and,
WHEREAS, as Pittsburgh's City Council, we as a body represent tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who rely every day on public transportation, and a historic investment in public transit would dramatically improve their quality of life; and,
WHEREAS, pandemic-related changes in commuter patterns, increases in operational costs, and the imminent conclusion of federal stimulus funds have caused difficulties and service cuts for transit providers across the country; and,
WHEREAS, these cuts have made it more difficult for people who rely on public transit to reliably and efficiently get to work, school, medical appointments, and every other necessity more than walking distance away; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Shapiro's proposed funding increase would help counteract those recent disinvestments, which would benefit of every Pittsburgh resident as more people using public transit leads to less traffic congestion, safer roadways, and a greener region; and,
WHEREAS, investments in transit are also investments in the economic future of our city, and people want to move to, raise families in, and visit areas where they don't need to own a car to survive; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh is dedicated to being a livable city for all, which includes the 1 in 4 Pittsburgh households who do not have access to a car and who need reliable, affordable, and accessible public transportation; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania share the understanding that safe, clean, on-time public transit is essential to Pennsylvanians' daily...
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