Pittsburgh Regional Transit Celebrates Opening of Downtown University Line Stations

With the first phase of construction of the University Line bus rapid transit project nearly complete, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) today announced plans to open the five newly-installed stations in downtown Pittsburgh.

The opening of the stations on Sunday, July 27, is a major milestone of the $291 million project that represents one of the most significant public transit infrastructure projects the region has seen in the last decade.

While riders will experience immediate improvements with seating and canopies that provide shade and protection from the elements starting Sunday, riders will realize an even greater number of benefits when the station’s safety features, and real-time arrival screens are activated in the coming weeks.

The stations opening on Sunday are:

· Ross Street

· William Penn

· Market Square

· Wood Street

· Steel Plaza

“These stations are part of a system designed to prioritize transit riders,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “The University Line will reshape how Pittsburgh moves. Opening these stations marks real progress toward delivering a more reliable and safer transit experience and shows what we can accomplish when we invest in our infrastructure and our future.”

The University Line, which will connect downtown Pittsburgh, Uptown, and Oakland — the city’s second-largest job center and home to world-class universities and hospitals — is designed to improve reliability, reduce travel times, and enhance the overall travel experience for thousands of daily commuters.

PRTX bus routes 61A-North Braddock, 61B-Braddock-Swissvale, 61C-McKeesport-Homestead, 71B-Highland Park, and G2-West Busway will serve all of the new downtown stations, while the P1-East Busway will serve three of the five stations, giving riders simple transfers and easy connections across Allegheny County.

Construction for Phase I, which began in fall 2023, includes the installation of dedicated bus lanes, expanded sidewalks and curbs, new traffic signals and pedestrian safety systems, and the first wave of modern, accessible stations along Fifth and Sixth avenues in downtown Pittsburgh.

The project’s second phase began construction in January and will extend the dedicated bus lanes through Uptown and Oakland. Phase II includes 18 additional new stations and bicycle and pedestrian improvements throughout the corridor. Phase II is expected to be completed in 2027.

Once finished, the University Line will serve more than 30,000 riders a day with more frequent, reliable, and environmentally friendly service.

The University Line project is supported by a mix of federal, state, and local funding, including major investments from the Federal Transit Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Allegheny County, and the City of Pittsburgh. 

In addition to improving transit service, the project is expected to drive economic development, encourage more people to take transit, and improve safety and local air quality.

To learn more about the University Line project and what’s next, visit www.rideprt.org/brt and to receive ongoing updates for Phase II construction, visit https://prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/

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