Pittsburgh’s Port Authority of Allegheny County officially launched public engagement for “NEXTransit,” an intensive long-range planning effort to identify public transit needs and opportunities for the region through 2045.

A blueprint for the future of public transportation in the region, NEXTransit will guide the community’s vision for what the public transportation system needs to accomplish in the coming decades to ensure residents have access to jobs, housing, healthcare, education, and other services.

NEXTransit will help Port Authority prepare for future growth by identifying transit investments that integrate with regional plans and goals and provide a clear roadmap on where to focus our energy and resources.

“We’re looking forward to hearing ideas that promote a robust public transit network that is accessible, equitable, reliable, flexible, comprehensive, and most importantly safe," said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Our goal is to ensure that your contribution and input will shape our future service, planning efforts and initiatives.”

NEXTransit begins and ends with comprehensive public input. Although outreach may look a bit different in a post-COVID-19 world, Port Authority said it is committed to ensuring outreach is as inclusive as possible, adding that as the region reopens, it plans to engage directly with the community in a manner that is safe but accessible to all.