PRT weighs whether to use money for transit projects to plug budget hole

Pittsburgh Regional Transit said Monday it hasn’t decided whether it will request permission from the state to temporarily shift money intended for capital improvements to help cover operating expenses.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration approved a request from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to use up to $394 million earmarked for capital improvements to help the state’s largest transit agency cover operating costs over the next two years. SEPTA had been facing a deficit of more than $200 million coming into this fiscal year.

PRT has a projected budget deficit of $100 million.

To balance its $539.3 million operating budget, PRT announced it would take steps including reducing service by 35% and increasing fares by 9%, starting as early as February.

“Using capital funds for operations would delay critical projects and limit future improvements. We will never compromise the safety of our riders or employees,” PRT spokesman Adam Brandolph said in a statement.

“Using capital funds for operations would only be a stopgap measure. Pennsylvania needs a long-term, reliable funding solution to provide the safe, reliable and affordable service our communities depend on,” Brandolph added.

Brandolph said PRT is still evaluating its options, including determining how much money it might request or receive and what impact that might have on planned capital improvements. He did not provide a timetable for when PRT would decide whether to seek a waiver from the state.