By Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny)
Public transit keeps Pittsburgh and Allegheny moving. It gets people to work, to school, to the doctor, and to see family and friends. It keeps our economy running and our neighborhoods connected. But it’s time to make it stronger.
That’s why I’ve been fighting for a funding plan that makes sure our buses, trains and inclines keep running strong for the people who depend on them every single day.
Recently, the Senate passed a budget and transportation plan that puts $40 million toward Pittsburgh Regional Transit — the exact amount PRT requested, and the same plan backed by the House Democrats and Gov. Josh Shapiro. And we did it without raising taxes, by using a portion of the $2.4 billion sitting idle in the Public Transportation Trust Fund.
But let’s be honest about why we even had to fight this hard.
The commonwealth’s entire budget is being held hostage not by Pittsburgh’s needs, but by SEPTA’s mismanagement in Philadelphia.
Gov. Shapiro and House Democrats are holding funding for schools, hospitals, nursing homes and social services hostage while they demand more money for a transit agency that has wasted public trust and public dollars.
Here in Pittsburgh, we have a very different story.
PRT is a well-run system. Is it in need of more funding? Absolutely. But it’s not in crisis like SEPTA. PRT is on solid footing through the rest of the year because of smart management, not political maneuvering. Yet the governor and House Democrats would rather leverage the entire state budget to bail out SEPTA than move forward with a responsible plan that helps transit systems statewide.
The inequity is clear.
In November 2024, Gov. Shapiro transferred $153 million in highway capital funds into mass transit — and sent every penny to SEPTA.
Pittsburgh got nothing.
We were left on the sidelines while the governor drained funds meant to maintain and improve roads and bridges in communities like ours.
That’s the difference between those who just show up and those who lead.
The Senate took the lead on a responsible plan.
Our plan helps PRT and other systems across Pennsylvania without raising taxes, without raiding highway funds and without holding up the rest of the budget.
For months, I’ve been hearing from riders, transit workers and community members about the possibility of deep service cuts and fare hikes if we didn’t act. We were looking at up to a 35% cut in service and higher fares starting this year. That would have hit workers, seniors, students and low-income families the hardest.
I took those concerns straight to Harrisburg, and this funding plan is a direct response to what you told me you need.
From day one, my approach has been simple: listen to the people who ride the buses and trains, push for accountability and deliver solutions that work right now.
A reliable transit system is the backbone of our region. It helps fill job openings, keeps traffic from getting worse and makes it easier for everyone to get where they’re going.
This $40 million is a big step forward, but we still need a long-term, stable plan to fund transit without shifting the cost onto riders or letting our infrastructure fall behind.
I’m ready to work with anyone willing to lead, not just show up.
This funding proves that when Pittsburgh and Allegheny County speak up, I make sure Harrisburg listens.
Originally featured in the Tribune Review’s Aug. 21, 2025, edition.
CONTACT: Allison Dutrey