Critical mobility needs in Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison are being targeted through a proposal from Pittsburgh Regional Transit.

The agency is seeking funding for the creation of two microtransit zones in Allegheny County. One would be in McKeesport, and the other could serve people in the three Alle-Kiski Valley towns.

Both are areas not served with fixed-route service, said PRT spokesman Adam Brandolph.

The cost has not been finalized.

The transit agency is seeking nearly $4 million through the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and Carbon Reduction Program.

The grants would help fund a one-year pilot for both zones.

“If funded, the service would provide on-demand, first/last mile and intra-zone connections using vans or similar vehicles to bridge the gap between where people are, where they’re going, and to the PRT Routes 1-Freeport Road and P10-Allegheny Flyer, which serve this area,” Brandolph said.

Both zones have large populations of transportation-disadvantaged people who lack access to automobiles, he said.

Tarentum Council has thrown its support behind the project. The board at its meeting Sept. 12 agreed to back PRT in its grant-seeking process.

“This is a long time coming,” council President Scott Dadowski said.

Harrison Commissioner Chuck Dizard said the township also has approved a letter of support.

Access to public transportation is a vital resource and can positively impact quality of life, Dizard said.

“It represents an important initiative to address the transportation desert experienced by a significant number of residents,” he said. “There are many residents who simply do not have transportation to readily access groceries, social services or get to Allegheny Valley Hospital.”

Support for the proposal doesn’t lock municipalities into any funding, Tarentum Manager Dwight Boddorf said.

“With the bus line ending here, they want to look at the feasibility of shuttles going to other places as needed,” he said.

For example, a route could go from Sixth Avenue in Tarentum to Freeport Road in Natrona Heights, making stops at senior centers along the way.

Implementation could take three years, Dizard said.

A comprehensive plan compiled by leaders in Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum identified the need for increased transit services for people to access food, health care, employment, recreation and other services.

“Our forthcoming bus network study will take a look at fixed-route service in these areas, and if fixed-route service is identified as the best option for these communities, then we’d shift the pilot location to other communities,” Brandolph said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)