Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) shared in early April that they had a budget deficit of $150 million dollars, and as a result, have proposed to reduce service by 35% and increase fares, slated to go into effect in February of 2026. While this is something that will severely affect large portions of the greater Pittsburgh community who rely on public transit, it will also have a lasting impact on City High students and staff. 

Of all 600 students attending City High, 95% of those students use public transportation to get to and from school. Many of these students are also using public transit as their main source of transportation to work, internships, their homes, and other community spaces. Several City High staff members also rely on PRT to get around the city.

Over 40 City High seniors and several staff members attended the Save Our Service rally on April 29, which took place outside the Heinz History Center. Students created signs expressing frustration at the significant cuts to public transportation. At the rally, Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamaroto gave remarks in support of advocating for an increased budget to avoid making these devastating cuts.

After participating in the rally, students from the Class of 2025 and staff members attended the public comment hearings at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Alongside other members of the community, they had the opportunity to share about how these cuts would personally impact them. 

“At the same time that PRT is facing this crisis, parking rates Downtown have gone up. Meter prices across the city have also increased, and bus fare is expected to rise to $3, making ours one of the most expensive fares in the entire country. All this means one thing to me: People are being pushed out of public transit and into their cars, where they’ll have no choice but to pay more. More for gas, more for parking, more just to live their lives in general,” shared City High student Alexzander Morris in his powerful testimony. 

If you have not yet filled out the PRT public comment form, we strongly encourage you to do so. This issue goes beyond just City High students and will have a large impact on many different communities in the greater Pittsburgh area.  

City High will continue to share updates as this situation progresses. More City High students are slated to be in attendance at the next public comment sessions happening on May 6 and June 12. 

Check out these great articles that featured coverage of the events and quotes from City High staff and students!*

• Pittsburgh Post Gazette

• TribLive

• NEXTpittsburgh

• Pittsburgh Union Progress