Image description: screenshot from Port Authority's flyer for the December 7 meetings on proposed Homestead to McKeesport transit and pedestrian improvements.
Our organizing didn't stop after we halted cuts to the 61c - now we have a massive opportunity to improve transit between Homestead to McKeesport
It's happening! PPT organized with Mon Valley residents to stop the 50% service cuts that were proposed for the 61c. We won back in 2018, but we kept working. We launched the Beyond the East Busway campaign to build a community vision for expanding transit in the Mon Valley. Now the opportunity for these improvements is more real than ever.
RSVP to join us at the public meetings on December 7th to push for improvements between Homestead and McKeesport. Review the plans ahead of time and leave your feedback here:
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Image description: screen capture from WPXI report of PPT Treasurer Mayor Nickole Nesby speaking at a press conference with County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and State Senator Linsey Williams about what the Infrastructure Bill will do for public transit in Allegheny County.
What the New Infrastructure Bill Means for Pittsburgh Transit Riders
President Biden and Congress recently passed a massive infrastructure bill. For the tens of millions of people who depend on public transit every day, this new law is an important victory, and will be a historic investment in public transit. But our work is not done. Transit riders will continue to organize and demand the Build Back Better Act to ensure that federal funding is made available for transit operating needs like service expansion in underserved communities and fare reductions, and not just for capital expenses.
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Image description: photo of a PPT meeting. Members are seated in a circle discussing plans for transit organizing.
Although the new Infrastructure Bill will bring $2.8B home to PA for capital projects, state politicians in Harrisburg are still on the line to pass a new transit operations funding bill
The bill is expected to bring $2.8 billion home to the nearly 40 different rural and urban transit agencies that operate transit in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. This funding will allow investments in the long-deferred maintenance of our transit fleets, as well as build new transformative capital projects across the state.
However, the bill has no money for transit operations of our outside of Amtrak, so it is still up to Harrisburg to determine a state-level transit funding solution to keep our buses & trains running. The Transit for All PA! campaign for an expanded and permanent state funding stream for public transit is the only way for operations to match the ambitions of capital investment.
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Image description: text that reads "WE ARE THE SHELTER WE ARE THE STORM" over an illustration of rain, clouds and thunderbolts filled with outlines of buses
PPT members brought both the SHELTER and the STORM in 2021!
Join us to celebrate a year of successful (and hard-fought) transit organizing. RSVP before December 7th to receive a party pack in the mail to bring to the online party with everyone else!
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Image description: illustration made by artist Pedro Ibarra for PPT's Year-end Fundraising Campaign. Three people smile hold transit rally signs with fists raised while standing under a bus shelter
PPT's Year-End Fundraising Campaign is kicking off!
RSVP below to help us connect with 2,000 supporters before the end of the year!
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Image description: photo of a PPT meeting. Members are seated in a circle discussing plans for transit organizing.
Rundown of Q3 & Q4 2021 Service Adjustments – with takeaways from the @PGH_Bus_Info Hotline
Some good (although small) changes were included in this quarter's changes that will increase access to groceries & jobs. Four times every year, the Port Authority adjusts its transit schedules and routes to account for construction, road closures, rider’s requests, ridership shifts, and/or all of the other unexpected changes that might affect Pittsburgh roads. These quarterly adjustments were dialed back because of the pandemic, but they seem to be back on track now that ridership is increasing.
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Image description: photo of a PPT meeting. Members are seated in a circle discussing plans for transit organizing.
From Technical.ly: "Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Ed Gainey to place controversial Mon-Oakland Connector project under review"
PPT has been organizing with residents of Hazelwood and the Run for years. We are pushing for investments in public transit and sidewalks that actually connect people to the groceries, healthcare, and jobs that they need - and we have been successful. Last year we were able to move $4.1M away from the private shuttle project to fund sidewalks along second ave, affordable housing, and support for neighborhood businesses. We made the Mon-Oakland Connector a serious campaign issue in the Mayoral race & the city elected Rep. Gainey, who was an outspoken critic of the project. Now, as the project sits in limbo, PPT continues to fight for real transit investments for these residents.
Check out this recent article from technical.ly that gives a good history of the MOC and explains where the project currently sits:
“Consistent with his campaign position, upon taking office, the Mayor-elect intends to place the project on hold pending both an internal review and an independent review from the Controller’s office.”
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🖱️ ✊ Click-tivist Corner🖱️ ✊️️️
Push for change from behind your keyboard and join us in the streets.
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Image description: Photo of PPT's Beyond the East Busway Organizing Fellows |
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Image description: rendering of Smithfield street at the intersection of Fifth Ave. |
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Image description: Fifth & Atwood Station in Oakland |
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Image description: profile shot of red articulated Port Authority bus traveling down a busway. Text above reads "Events"
PPT Organizing Meetings
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PPT's #VoteTransit meeting to build a 100-days platform for the new mayor (online) // Tuesday, 11/30, 1-2pm // Zoom link here.
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PPT Year-end Fundraising Campaign Phonebank (online) // Thursday, 12/2, 5-8pm // RSVP here
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PPT Year-end Fundraising Campaign Phonebank (online) // Tuesday, 12/7, 5-8pm // RSVP here
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🔥SHELTER & THE STORM! PPT's Year-end celebration (online) // Wednesday, 12/15, 7-8+pm // RSVP here, and RSVP before December 7th to get your party pack in the mail
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PPT Year-end Fundraising Campaign Phonebank (online) // Thursday, 12/16, 5-8pm // RSVP here
Other Community Meetings
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Port Authority's public meeting on Homestead to McKeesport Transit & Pedestrian improvement proposal (online) // Tuesday, 12/7, 12-1:30pm & 6-8:30pm // RSVP here
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Developers are proposing big development for Oakland, but the neighborhood isn't done with its community plan. Read OPDC's blog and join the the next Development Activities Meeting to learn more (online) // Monday, 11/29, 6-7:30pm // Event info // Blog with background info
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