Gaydos Opposes PRT’s Proposed Service Cuts, Fare Increase; Warns of Devastating Impact to 44th District

March 26, 2025

HARRISBURG - Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) strongly opposes Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s (PRT) proposal to implement service cuts and a fare increase in response to a projected budget deficit. PRT has requested $100 million per year in additional state funding to avoid these service reductions. Without the funding, the agency is planning a 35% reduction in services and a 25-cent fare increase.

“The cuts and fare increases proposed by PRT would harm the people of the 44th District,” said Gaydos. “These changes are not just an inconvenience. They are a direct attack on the mobility and livelihoods of our residents. Our communities cannot afford to lose vital transit services. From the elimination of key bus routes to the loss of service for entire neighborhoods, this proposal is devasting. We cannot allow this to happen without action from Harrisburg.”

Several of the proposed service cuts would include:

• Elimination of the 28X-Airport Flyer: This change would make it significantly more difficult for those traveling to and from Pittsburgh International Airport.
• Elimination of low-efficiency routes: This includes the Coraopolis (Local Route 20) and the Moon Flyer (Commuter Route G3).
• Elimination of moderate-efficiency routes: This includes the Ohio Valley (Local Route 14), which serves vital areas within the district.
• No service after 11 p.m.

“These cuts will leave many of our most vulnerable residents stranded without a way to get to work, school or important appointments. We cannot afford to lose these critical services,” said Gaydos.

Gaydos emphasized these cuts are a direct result of years of underfunding and the failure of the state to address the growing needs of transit agencies in western Pennsylvania. While Act 89 of 2013 provided a funding mechanism for transportation across the state, PRT’s share has remained stagnant, while costs continue to rise. Without new, sustainable funding, PRT will be forced to continue making these painful cuts.

“Harrisburg needs to stop shortchanging the taxpayers” said Gaydos. “The taxes we pay here should come back to benefit our communities, not be funneled away to other parts of the state. This is not just a Pittsburgh problem. This is a problem for all of western Pennsylvania. Our region has been unfairly and disproportionately impacted by decisions that prioritize Philadelphia such as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) over the needs of our own local infrastructure and services. I will not support any PRT funding proposal that continues to syphon money away from our region.

Representative Valerie Gaydos
44th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717.260.6437
rleiner@pahousegop.com
RepGaydos.com / Facebook.com/RepGaydos