What We Do

Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) is a grassroots organizations of public transit riders, workers, and supporters seeking to defend and expand public transit. Founded in 2010 in response to massive service cuts and fare increases, PPT has raised consciousness about the importance and value of public mass transit. We mobilized thousands of people to secure state funding in 2013. 

Since then, we supported three community-led campaigns to advocate for service in transit deserts—engaging over 3,000 residents to take action. Baldwin and Groveton, communities in the Pittsburgh area, got their bus service back the first week of September! We are now supporting 3 more campaigns for improved service in Garfield, Penn Hills, and the North Hills.

We are the only grassroots organization in the Pittsburgh area who directly engages both transit riders and transit workers in campaigns for improved public transit. PPT helps residents understand their rights to access public transit and to develop and share their voices. Public transit is OUR transit, and the people who operate, maintain, and use the system everyday should have a primary seat at the table. PPT is focused on promoting civic engagement and democracy, and we aim to connect the struggles for a strong public transit system to other struggles in our communities, including fair housing, clean air and water, workers’ and riders’ rights, racial justice, economic justice, and environmental justice.

Help us keep the public in public transit. Check out our Transit Bill of Rights!

What We Need 

Our goal of $15,000 will enable us to continue to support community campaigns for adequate and affordable transit service; ensure that public transit decision-making is transparent and equitable; generate support for additional transit funding; and build community leadership. 

Our work thus far has been made possible through generous support from foundation grants and donations from organizations and individuals. Our goal with this Indiegogo campaign is to work towards more grassroots funding from individuals. We hope our financial support can reflect the core principle of our organization: the power of the people.

By making a contribution to our campaign you will become a Donating Member of PPT and will receive some transit-themed swag. All donations are tax-deductible through our 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, the Thomas Merton Center. You will also know that you are part of a movement for defending and expanding public transit, while working toward more just and equitable communities for everyone.

Our Impact

As a result of our work over the years:

•a 35% service cut was averted

•fares have remained stable since 2012

•service was extended to transit deserts

•the number of residents participating in public comments at Port Authority board meetings increased by 400%

•Port Authority approved a transparent process for evaluating service requests that considers equity, efficiency, and effectiveness

•close to 10,000 residents participated in our struggle for more and better public transit!

Terry Breisinger, a visually impaired Baldwin resident, said “The bus is my lifeline. I can now get to work and take my family to sporting events or shopping without having to rely on anyone else.”

Darnell Jones, a Groveton resident said, “Me and a few other Groveton residents went down to Port Authority to fight and to make sure that we get the things that we needed as tax payers in this great city of Pittsburgh. It just shows that we are being listened to and that if we come together as a community we can all strive to get things done in this city.” 

Dietra Hawkins, Groveton resident, started school last January and was stranded with the nearest bust stop located over a mile away. Now Dietra has graduated and with the return of service to her community can safely travel to her new job.

Mike Harms, bus operator and Amalgamated Transit Union member, said “They said it couldn’t be done. But together, workers, community members, and activists prove what can be done. There’s power in the people.”

Other Ways You Can Help