McAndrew appointed chair of Subcommittee on Public Transportation in PA House
Rep. Joe McAndrew February 9, 2024 | 1:03 PM
PENN HILLS, Feb. 9 – State Rep. Joe McAndrew, D-Allegheny, was honored to have been appointed as the chair of the House Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Public Transportation prior to the Governor’s Budget Address on Tuesday.
“From day one, I have said we need to make sure we have strong and reliable public transportation systems for people in our region to safely get to work, school or wherever they need to go,” McAndrew said. “I am here to make sure that happens, and I am grateful for this new opportunity to advance in the House Transportation Committee.”
McAndrew's appointment came on the same day Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his proposal for the 2024-25 state budget. The governor’s plan includes increasing the state share of public transit funding by 1.75% – a $282.8 million increase in investment – and nearly $1.5 billion in new state funding over five years, in transit systems upon which Pennsylvanians rely. Pittsburgh Regional Transit in Allegheny County will receive nearly $40 million in additional funding.
“PRT serves more than 100,000 riders every day, and this proposed budget funding would be critical in helping our transit system overcome lingering challenges with operating expenses and providing key services to communities across western Pennsylvania,” McAndrew said.
“PRT is in the process of a Bus Line Redesign to update its bus network to reflect the changing demographics of Allegheny County. I plan to make sure that this effort helps better our public transit systems and that the end result is a playbook I can take back to Harrisburg to advocate for the funding needed for successful implementation. We must underscore the need to improve the system to better serve our communities, especially in areas of the county that lack access to proper transit, like the East Hills.”
McAndrew added, “As chair of the Subcommittee on Public Transportation, I am committed to fighting for investments that will improve public transportation in western Pennsylvania and across the state. I am looking forward to working with Governor Shapiro’s administration, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, PRT and my colleagues on the budget process so that we can build on investments to provide safe and affordable public transit for Pennsylvanians who depend on it.”
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