PennDOT approved Pittsburgh Regional Transit's request to use up to $106.7 million in state capital funds to prevent service cuts and fare increases.

In a news release on Friday, PRT said the money will be used to cover operating expenses, prevent "drastic" service cuts and fare increases for the next two years. The agency said in the news release that the money will allow it to close a projected $100 million budget deficit for 2026, avoiding a 35 percent service reduction and a 9 percent fare hike next year. 

PRT said in the news release that while "some" capital projects will be delayed, no "safety-critical work" will be initiated. The agency added that it will present a resolution to its board this month to amend its budgets in line with Friday's approval. 

"I want to thank PennDOT for its quick review and acceptance of our request. This approval gives us the breathing room we need to protect our riders and keep our region moving," PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman said in the news release. "Even though this short-term fix isn't what we were working toward, we will continue seeking a long-term solution that transit agencies across Pennsylvania need."

In its letter to PennDOT on Thursday requesting the capital funds, Kelleman said approval of the request "is critical to maintain reliable service" that supports Allegheny County's economy. Kelleman did note in the request that shifting capital dollars to operations "is not sustainable and will reduce resources available" for future projects.

Earlier this week, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority received approval for similar funding to fund daily operations for the next two years after being hit with cuts.

Public transit advocate and lawmaker react

Laura Chu Wiens, the executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, said she's grateful the funding was approved, but added that she's far from happy because this money is not coming through a solution in the budget.  

"The Senate leadership has failed to put forward a proposal to fund transit. And at this point, it's not clear that there is a plan from the governor, from the Senate leadership, from the House leadership, to come with a budget that provides new money for public transit," Chu Wiens said. 

Republicans in the state legislature had come forward with their own plan to fund PRT and SEPTA. State Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa said Republicans' plan would have used the same pot of money as the one that's being used now, but it would have been utilized differently.

A top state Senate Republican said their plan would have allowed the money to be used weeks sooner, avoiding the negative impacts that took place when SEPTA cuts went into effect.

Chu Wiens said there is blame to go around for this not being a more permanent solution, though Costa, a Democrat, said it's not a failure of the governor or Democrats.   

"It's a failure on one part of the legislature, and it would be my Republican colleagues in the Senate. The House of Representatives, on five separate occasions in the last year and a half, has passed a revenue stream that would have provided resources, not only for transit but also for roads and bridges," Costa said.  

He said they will continue to fight for a dedicated long-term transit funding stream.

Pennsylvania still doesn't have a state budget.