Allegheny County lawmakers launch bill to get transit funding back on track
Rep. Jessica Benham April 30, 2025 | 3:13 PM
PITTSBURGH, April 30 – As operating costs for public transit skyrocket and agencies like Pittsburgh Regional Transit express the potential for significant service cuts and fare hikes, state Reps. Aerion A. Abney and Jessica Benham announced legislation today designed to drive more state funding to public transportation.
Abney and Benham have proposed the Transit for All PA Funding Package to provide a long overdue, dedicated funding source to PRT and transit across the state. The package builds on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal to increase the allocation of existing sales taxes to public transit. By providing this increased stream of revenue, transit systems across Pennsylvania would be able to stabilize their budgets, move on from current austerity measures and meet the needs of riders.
The bill proposes raising the state’s rental car fee from $2 to $6.50, car lease fee from 3% to 5%, and establishing a 6% excise tax on ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. The state’s car rental and lease fees have not been increased in over 30 years and are among the lowest in the nation. There is currently no statewide excise tax on ride-hailing services.
“It has become abundantly clear that we are facing a public transportation funding crisis here in Pennsylvania,” said Benham, D-Allegheny. “Failing to act now and not giving agencies like PRT the resources they need to stay afloat means that services will be cut, fares will increase and the struggle of those who rely on transit to live their lives will increase dramatically.”
“Pennsylvanians deserve a public transportation system that is safe, reliable and accessible,” said Abney, D-Allegheny. “As significant service cuts are being proposed for our public transit agencies, we’re exploring every possible avenue with legislation like this to secure more dollars and ensure residents can continue getting to where they need to be."
“I have heard from hundreds of constituents, community members, and business leaders over the past few weeks about what public transit means to them and how devastating PRT’s proposed cuts would be, including at yesterday’s first PRT Public Hearing,” said state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, who serves on the Pittsburgh Regional Transit Board. “Public transit is about more than getting from Point A to Point B -- it is about connecting people and communities, and empowering everyone, regardless of age or ability, to get where they want to go. I am proud to work with my colleagues here and across the state to introduce the Senate companion version of the Transit for All PA! legislation, which makes a meaningful, stable investment in public transportation statewide, giving our systems -- and the communities and people we all serve -- a chance to thrive.”
“Whether we live in rural communities, small towns or big cities, all Pennsylvanians deserve safe, reliable, dignified access to the places they need to go,” said Laura Chu Wiens, executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit and a member of the Transit for All PA! coalition. “The Transit for All PA! plan creates access and opportunity for our communities and economy. Together, we can reverse the cycle of decline and grow a transportation system that moves us all.”
The proposals in the funding package build on work undertaken by Transit for All PA!, a statewide coalition of transit riders, transit workers and transit-supportive organizations and businesses dedicated to expanding Pennsylvania’s public transit systems to connect residents to jobs, health care, and essential needs and grow the state’s economy.
Abney and Benham said they plan to formally introduce the bill in the state House in the near future.