OP-ED: The important role transit plays in our community
The role of transit in our community
In Washington County, Freedom Transit’s services offer access to employment, health-care resources, and everyday necessities – providing more than 235,000 trips annually. Despite the vital role that transit plays in individuals’ daily lives, we and local transit agencies all across the commonwealth are facing an uncertain future.
While Pennsylvania’s two very large transit agencies, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) dominate the conversation, the reality is that all 67 counties have some form of public transit. It’s critical that Freedom Transit – and every other agency in Pennsylvania receive an equitable share of state funding to help avoid service reductions and fare increases.
Currently, the state legislature is working on the state’s budget for FY25/26. It will need to pass through both the House and the Senate and be signed into law by the governor. But before that happens, lawmakers need to come to a consensus on how to resolve the budget shortfall that exists for every public transit agency in the state. For more than a decade, state funding for public transit has remained stagnant. Various budget numbers and timelines are being proposed, but as of now, there is no consensus in Harrisburg on how to fix this issue.
In Washington County, Freedom Transit has fixed routes that not only run in downtown Washington, but connect county communities like Houston, Canonsburg, McDonald, McMurray, Finleyville, and Monongahela to one another. It offers service to the South Hills Village ‘T’ Station on Saturdays, and provides riders with direct service to downtown Pittsburgh Monday through Friday as a way to support work schedules.
Additionally, the agency’s shared ride program is a perfect example of how transportation can meet people where they are. With the shared ride program, eligible individuals can arrange a non-emergency, pre-scheduled ride. Last year, Freedom Transit provided over 150,000 shared ride trips. This type of service reflects how various modes of transportation support efficiency as individuals are in a vehicle together with other riders (meaning that other riders are picked up and dropped off along the way).
For many Washington County residents – including seniors, those on a fixed income, and individuals with disabilities – public transit is truly a lifeline that provides access, opportunity, and connection to one another. Not only do riders rely on services to get them to work, medical appointments and retail stores, but for seniors and individuals with disabilities, being able to depend on public transit means maintaining a level of autonomy and independence.
Freedom Transit also makes an economic impact in the community. Last year, the agency infused $9.6 million into Pennsylvania’s economy through the purchase of goods and services and supported 100 local jobs in the county.
Ensuring that Washington County residents have access to public transit must remain the central focus of lawmakers right now. If the legislature does not allocate enough state funding, the worst-case scenario means a 60% shared ride fare increase and a 15% reduction in fixed route service beginning July 1, 2026, with additional service cuts to both services in subsequent years.
Whether it’s a rural community, suburb, or metropolitan area, access to public transit is an essential connection to jobs and quality of life, and strong state investment in public transit is fundamental to the safety, mobility, and economic future of Pennsylvania.
Sheila Gombita is the executive director of Freedom Transit, the public transportation authority serving Washington County.
Chris Sandvig is executive director of Mobilify Southwestern Pennsylvania, an organization dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of multimodal transportation.