,
8 tweets,
5 min read
Read on Twitter
Transit experts agree that busways are the future of public transit. And no city in America is better positioned to lead the way than Pittsburgh. Can the region fulfill its busway potential? Thread/ pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/how…
Pittsburgh has the most extensive busway system in the U.S.: 19 miles of grade-separated, traffic-free busways spread across three lines throughout Allegheny County. The East Busawy is arguably the most efficient transit line of any midsize US city 2/ pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/how…
Buways provide quick access to 150,000 jobs Downtown. @christofspieler says PGH's 3 busways (East, West & South) should improve marking, they're not just any regular bus. Should be sold as Purple, Green & Yellow lines, which is what P, G, and Y in front of routes stand for anyway 
Development near busways should be dense amenities and affordable housing, not blight or parking lots. @PghCRG says residents living near busway stations take 1.33 transit trips per car trip, 76% own between 0-1 cars. More housing near busways=less cars pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/how…
And @Pgh4PubTransit says we should expand busways, as a way to fight poverty and serve Mon Valley. Studies show increasing public transit increases employment rates by 3.5%, lower poverty rates 13%. @SummerForPA and @RepAustinDavis calling for expansion. pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/how…
Why busways instead of light rail? Busways are ALREADY more efficient & carry more passengers. Since PGH has suburban sprawl, only buses can enter streets to pick up passengers to bring to fast busways. 9-mile PGH busway: 23K daily riders. 9-mile rail in Charlotte NC: 16K riders
Busways have been sort of ignored w/ hyperloop & driverless cars hogging headlines. But that could be changing. @ACE_Fitzgerald said "We just can’t grow with the amount of cars that want to drive on the parkway. I really want developers to use these areas" pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/how…
Finally, big h/t to @vincedorse for illustrating an idealistic busway station for @PGHCityPaper cover. A Richard Scarry-esque depiction of what every Pittsburgh busway station could be like, shops, parks, activity and homes. End/
