Pittsburgh Regional Transit to Retire Bus-Only Lane on Fifth Avenue in Oakland

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) will permanently retire the contraflow bus lane on Fifth Avenue in Oakland next month, marking the end of more than 45 years of dedicated service.

Beginning as early as January 4, ​ the nine bus routes - 54, 61D, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 75, 93, and P3 – that currently travel outbound in the bus lane on Fifth Avenue will shift over to Forbes Avenue, where they will travel with the
​direction of general traffic and operate in mixed traffic until a new bus-only lane is established. These routes will serve existing bus stops on Forbes Avenue. 

The change will allow contractors to build a new protected bi-directional bike lane on Fifth Avenue as part of PRT’s University Line bus rapid transit project, which is expected to be completed in 2027. 

The routing changes will be incorporated into PRT’s regularly scheduled service changes in February. 

When the University Line is finished, riders will benefit from a modernized transit corridor with buses traveling in dedicated lanes outbound on Forbes Avenue and inbound on Fifth Avenue, improving reliability and travel times. The
​bike lane on Fifth Avenue will enhance the safety of cyclists in the corridor. 

Additional safety and accessibility upgrades include new sidewalks and curbs, ADA-compliant ramps, upgraded traffic signals, and enhanced pedestrian safety systems. 

Additional information regarding routing and stop changes will be announced soon. 

These changes support Phase Two of the University Line, which will better connect Downtown Pittsburgh, Uptown, and Oakland while improving reliability and enhancing the overall travel experience for riders.