Dormont rally aims to alert public to proposed Allegheny County transit cuts

A rally planned for next week will bring together South Hills residents and officials united in support of long-term, sustainable funding for Pittsburgh Regional Transit in the state’s 2026 budget.

The Monday rally comes in response to proposed severe service cuts and a fare increase for mass transit users in Allegheny County.

In March, the transit authority proposed a 25-cent fare hike and widespread service cuts that would eliminate the light-rail Silver Line and 41 of roughly 100 bus routes.

The move was prompted by a massive budget deficit — $100 million next year — and insufficient state aid. Many community members have expressed concern about the cuts.

On Thursday, Dormont Councilwoman Jen Mazzocco stressed the importance of providing accessible ways to work or school while mitigating the potential negative impacts of mass transit cuts, such as car pollution and increased traffic.

A rally, she said, will show politicians in Harrisburg hammering out mass transit funding for next year “that people care about it and it’s important.”

Mazzocco said expected rally attendees include Dormont Councilman Chris Rieger, Allegheny County Councilman Dan Grzybek, D-Bethel Park, and Mt. Lebanon Commissioner Andrew Flynn.

The hourlong rally is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. at the municipal parking lot on the corner of West Liberty and Biltmore avenues in Dormont.

The location is strategic, meant to attract the attention of bus riders at a nearby stop, public transit users exiting the Dormont Junction light-rail station and motorists in rush-hour traffic along West Liberty.