Wanted: Rider feedback on Pittsburgh transit changes

Pittsburgh Regional Transit says its “Bus Line Redesign” project aims to improve connectivity and reliability for those who use public transportation with proposed changes made to every line.

Riders in the Sto-Ken-Rox communities are concerned several changes being brought forward are not for the better and have organized to bring attention to the changes that would turn an area route into a neighborhood flyer.

The 22-McCoy route becoming the N-22 is at the crux of their concerns.

“The new [N-22] route aims to improve connections to the West Busway at Sheraden Station,” said Adam Brandolph, PRT’s deputy chief communications officer. 

The proposed improvements will provide connections to “the airport, Carnegie, downtown and Moon” with the span of services and frequency roughly the same, said Brandolph.

Yet, after reviewing this draft plan, some residents and local government officials are concerned the area will lose several key services with the new proposed N-22 route. McKees Rocks council members have discussed the inherent issues with proposed change to area bus routes and encouraged residents to provide feedback.

Many use the bus to get to the grocery store but then call for a rideshare service to take them and their groceries home, said Ken Hohman, who worries the additional costs incurred and distance to a grocery store will make it unattainable for some.

Low-income housing affected

The N-22 would no longer stop at some mixed- and low-income housing developments along the current 22-McCoy bus route.

Allegheny County Housing Authority’s six-story Ohioview Tower in Stowe houses about 60 low-income residents with some having disabilities. The existing 22-route stops outside the building, providing residents with direct access to public transportation.

“If they want to catch the bus, they now have to walk down to McCoy Road, rather than it coming past the tower, which if you’re healthy, that’s not too big of a deal,” said Jeff Paul, Stowe Township commissioner, of the proposed changes. “But if you’re disabled… it could be a little bit burdensome.”

The proposed N-22 would no longer provide direct transportation downtown, adding instead a transfer at Sheraden Station along the West Busway.

Situated just beyond Ohioview Tower is the townhome community of Pleasant Ridge. In another mixed-income housing development, residents in that 80-home neighborhood share concerns about an additional burden to residents.

“There’s approximately 360 residents that live in Pleasant Ridge, and a lot of them have families, have children,” said longtime Ohioview Tower resident and neighbor Ken Hohman. “Instead of people having a bus stop right in front of their house, now they’re going to have to walk one, two, even five blocks to catch the bus.”

Downtown service

“Two buses will double, or more than double, the commute time for me or any of the other riders,” said Cindy Lutz, who lives in the Norwood neighborhood of Stowe. “I’m mostly focused on working people that I’ve met in my community that are trying to get to work, and this is going to more than double their commute time.” 

Lutz works with her husband, who is a fine artist. She said they travel downtown often on the 22 to visit the cultural district, network and visit galleries. Lutz’s son also commutes to college via the same route. 

She explained that downtown Pittsburgh is Allegheny County’s hub, and an additional transfer would complicate her and other community members’ ability to access opportunities the region provides. 

Downtown is “where everything is, and that’s where the future will be for me or my family,” she said. “And [the N-22 is] making it longer and harder for us to get there.”

Shopping center access

The current 22 stops at the Kennedy Center Giant Eagle location, providing riders with direct access to groceries and employment opportunities. The proposed N-22 trades stopping at this Giant Eagle for service to Heritage Valley – Kennedy Hospital and medical building and instead routes to a different Giant Eagle in the Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center.

The additional time needed to complete a grocery shopping trip is of concern, too.

“If you were just driving in your car, you drove from, you know, the Kennedy Township Giant Eagle to the Crafton one, you’re talking at least, you know, 15-20 minutes of a drive,” said Paul. “So just think how far that is on the bus that’s making stops along the way.”

Some fear they will lose out without the convenience of the Kennedy Giant Eagle. Many use the bus to get to the grocery store but then call for a rideshare service to take them and their groceries home, said Hohman, who worries the additional costs incurred and distance to a grocery store will make it unattainable for some.

“That’s a nice little chunk for a Lyft. Because we’re talking it’s only about a $6 or $7 trip from here in Kennedy, and it’s a $20 ride from Crafton,” he said.

The N-22 route would also no longer provide service to the Kenmawr Plaza in Kennedy. 

Feedback wanted

On Oct. 18, 2024, PRT had a pop-up booth at the community Fall Festival at Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School in Stowe to solicit community feedback. PRT continues to accept feedback on its first draft through Jan. 31.

Online input for the redesign includes a questionnaire or access to print out a paper survey to print and mail. To share comments or take the survey by phone, call (412) 442-2000.

“We know that the draft that we currently have is not perfect. That’s why we’re putting it out and soliciting input,” said Brandolph. “We want to hear from as many people in as many communities as possible so that we can make every effort to get it right and to make sure that we’re not leaving anybody behind.”