Pittsburghers for Public Transit recently launched an online survey and informational website designed to understand what Allegheny County residents want and need for bus transportation.
The mapping tool, dubbed Beyond the East Busway, doubles as an informational website about PPT’s ongoing plans to improve bus transit. The survey will be available for residents to complete through September.
“This innovative transit mapping tool … emerges from the belief that those most impacted by planning decisions are best-suited to design solutions for their communities,” said a PPT news release about the website.
The website and survey launch also included the start of a Community Organizing Fellowship, which pays eight resident leaders from the Eastern Suburbs and Mon Valley to reach people in those communities. A second cohort of residents will be formed later this year. Applications are due to by July 19. Apply at bit.ly/31TSZGh.
The survey allows residents to show planners where they think bus routes should extend to beyond the city. Areas include Monroeville, Penn Hills, Plum and communities in South Hills, North Hills and Allegheny Valley.
PPT said it will use results of the survey to “advocate for the funding, design and implementation of these transit improvements through the Southwest PA Commission and the Port Authority.” Those two agencies have prioritized extending the East Busway to Monroeville and McKeesport in recent long-range plans.
The East Busway to Monroeville and Mckeesport was a result of a PPT initiative in 2018 called Riders’ Vision for Public Transit.
“With some relatively inexpensive on-street improvements, residents and workers in the Mon Valley and Eastern Suburbs could get fast and reliable access into the transit network,” said PPT in a news release.
For more information on the East Busway project, visit bit.ly/2Yhu0u8.
