Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights How Shapiro-Davis Budget Would Invest in Public Transit, Connect Pennsylvanians to Opportunity
March 01, 2024
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget proposes $282 million for the public transit systems that Pennsylvanians rely on, including nearly $40 million for Pittsburgh Regional Transit
PITTSBURGH – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis today joined local lawmakers, as well as officials from Pittsburgh Regional Transit and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85, at Station Square Station and rode PRT’s Red Line to South Hills Village to highlight how Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget would help connect southwestern Pennsylvanians to opportunity.
“Growing up as the son of a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus driver, I saw firsthand the benefits of a good-paying, family-sustaining union job – and I also saw how important public transit was for our community and the region as a whole,” said Davis. “Across the state, nearly one million Pennsylvanians use public transit every day. Investing in transit is key to Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness, and that’s why Governor Shapiro and I have proposed a state budget that includes the first major new investment in public transit in more than a decade — $1.5 billion over the next five years.”
The Shapiro-Davis budget proposes an additional $282 million investment for transit across the Commonwealth in 2024-25. This proposal will mean nearly $40 million in additional state funding next year for Pittsburgh Regional Transit.
“Increased public transit funding is a crucial investment in the accessibility, sustainability and vitality of our communities. This proposal underscores a shared commitment to ensuring equitable access to transportation services for the residents of Allegheny County and the Commonwealth,” said Pittsburgh Regional Transit CEO Katharine Kelleman. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis for their commitment to bolstering public transit throughout Pennsylvania. These additional resources will allow us to amplify our efforts and address the diverse transportation needs of the communities we serve.”
“I strongly urge our legislators to support dedicated operating funds,” said ATU Local 85 President Ross Nicotero. “ATU is ready to operate and maintain the new projects coming online, but we can’t do that without necessary funding.”
Public transportation services are available in every county in Pennsylvania, including:
- Shared ride service in all 67 counties;
- Fixed route bus service in 49 counties; and
- Fixed route rail service in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
An average of 64 percent of Pennsylvania’s fixed-route transit users say they have no other transportation option.
“It’s great to be out with my good friend Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis to talk about and highlight the critical infrastructure investments we are making not just here at home, but across our commonwealth,” said state Rep. and House Majority Whip Dan Miller. “We know that Pennsylvania has a challenge when it comes to aging bridges and roads — we’ve seen that in our own backyard. And that is why it is critical that we make smart investments to renovate, rehabilitate and build out the infrastructure we need to move our Commonwealth and communities forward.”
“I’m excited by the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s commitment to investing in public transit,” said state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, who also serves on Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s board. “This is a proposal that we’ve been working on for many years in Harrisburg, and I am proud to fight for its inclusion in this year’s budget.”
The Shapiro-Davis budget would also boost funding by nearly $1 million for the Westmoreland County Transit Authority and nearly $1 million more for the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority.
# # #
