Politics & Government
Pittsburgh Regional Transit Turns To Pa. Fund To Avoid Service Cuts During Budget Impasse
The move makes it possible for the transit system to avoid a 35 percent service cut and a fare hike of 9%.
September 16, 2025
Late Friday, the state Department of Transportation approved the agency’s request to draw nearly $107 million from the Public Transportation Trust Fund and use it to cover operating expenses instead.
Find out what's happening in Across Pennsylvaniafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The approval came just one day after PRT requested the transfer. PRT’s board must amend its budget later this month accordingly, but the move makes it possible for the transit system to avoid a 35 percent service cut and a fare hike of 9%, both of which were slated to take place next February.
“I want to thank PennDOT for its quick review and acceptance of our request,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman in a statement. “ This approval gives us the breathing room we need to protect our riders and keep our region moving.”
Find out what's happening in Across Pennsylvaniafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Pennsylvania Capital-Star, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news site, delivers honest and aggressive coverage of state government, politics and policy. Since launching in February 2019, the Capital-Star has emerged as a go-to source for in-depth original reporting, explainers on complex topics, features that ground policy debates, and progressive commentary on a range of issues. The Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.
