Public transportation was a top factor in my decision to move to Pittsburgh four years ago. While I knew it wasn’t New York City or Washington, D.C., I was told by many people that Pittsburgh’s bus network was robust enough to live car-free in neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill and Shadyside.

After moving here, I experienced living in a city where I depended entirely on buses and walking to get around. While there were occasional delays or GPS glitches, the bus system was largely reliable.

However, Pittsburgh’s winters have been unusually mild recently, with snowfall far below the 30-year average of 44 inches. According to the National Weather Service, we had a total of 17.6 inches of snowfall in 2023-24 and 16.3 inches in 2024-25.

As soon as 2025 hit, the weather in Pittsburgh instantly declined and the buses became much less reliable. This is a huge problem considering cold weather means more danger.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve had snowstorms and single-digit weather, with forecasts of minus-8 degree highs this week. Standing outside and waiting for a bus to show up has increasingly become a worrisome feat. Even with gloves on, many times waiting outside my fingers wouldn’t bend.

These harsh conditions highlight the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by locals during extreme weather. There are several changes that must happen to keep Pittsburghers safe.

First, the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus system should do whatever it needs to do to update its phone apps so that it accurately reports when a bus is coming. On Jan. 14, in a 9-degree, out-of-nowhere evening snowstorm, me and about 30 others stood at a bus stop for over an hour and a half waiting for a bus. It is not the driver’s fault if the road conditions are poor, they drive slowly to be careful or if there is a lot of traffic. But why can’t PRT reflect the wait appropriately on its app? Then more people would make the decision to wait inside until the bus is nearby. A further letdown came when three buses in a row showed up full, drove right by the stop and accepted no passengers. The app should add a feature that shows if a bus is full.

Second, perhaps the city should consider building indoor bus waiting shelters at their bus stops. These would provide protection for people waiting for the bus in all types of weather. They allow visibility and easy access to the bus, as well as clear information on bus timing, while keeping all passengers warm and safe.

Finally, bus drivers must treat riders with more respect. On Jan. 15, I witnessed a driver, at a long red light, refuse entry to people standing in freezing temperatures, even though the bus was mostly empty. He made a harsh cut-throat gesture to indicate he would not open the bus door. Such behavior endangers passengers unnecessarily.

Frostbite and other cold-related injuries can develop quickly in sub-zero temperatures, making long waits at bus stops potentially life-threatening. Healthline explains that at 5 degrees a person can develop frostbite in 30 minutes; strong winds can decrease this time to as little as 10 minutes.

I love riding the bus. As I often tell my colleagues who occasionally offer me a ride home from work, riding the bus is my solitude time. I enjoy staring out the window and quietly reflecting about my day. But if I, and many others, are going to keep riding the bus, then PRT must find ways to ensure increased safety for its ridership.

Madison Jackson was born in Pittsburgh and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She lives in Squirrel Hill and is director of Jewish student life at Carnegie Mellon University Hillel.

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