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Council recognizes Week Without Driving; advocates and officials push transit access and partner-pass plan
Summary
City council members and transit advocates used a Week Without Driving proclamation to highlight transit equity, bus-shelter improvements and a proposed bulk purchase of employee transit passes in the mayor's budget.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh City Council on Sept. 30 recognized Week Without Driving with remarks by council members, transportation advocates and representatives of Age-Friendly and cycling groups who urged residents to try public transit and to press for more transit investment.
Council members invited representatives from Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Bike Pittsburgh, AccessMob and Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh to speak after a brief proclamation noting that roughly 15% of Pittsburgh residents do not own a car. Speakers emphasized that transit, sidewalks and bike infrastructure benefit seniors, people with disabilities, low-income residents and the whole city.
Advocates highlighted several local efforts: bus-shelter mapping and improvement tools, volunteer-run “safe passages” and community outreach to increase transit use. A speaker at the meeting said the mayor’s proposed budget includes a bulk purchase of the “partner pass” for city employees, a discounted transit pass program; council members said they hope that purchase remains in the final budget.
Seth Bush, advocacy manager for Bike Pittsburgh, said the event underscores the need for streets that work for bicyclists, pedestrians and people using wheeled mobility devices. A representative from Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh reminded members that Allegheny County has an older-than-average population and that access without a car is essential to “aging in place.”
Speakers also noted that weeklong events led by disability advocates aim to spotlight that many people cannot drive either because of disability, income or age, and that infrastructure built for accessibility benefits everyone.
Council members encouraged residents to take the Week Without Driving pledge, test transit routes and use the city’s online tools to request bus-shelter improvements. No legislation was proposed during the proclamation; council members said they will continue to discuss transit funding and shelter installation at future meetings.
The proclamation and speakers were largely ceremonial, but council members said the discussion reinforced ongoing priorities: increasing transit access, maintaining bus stops and shelters, and advancing Vision Zero goals for traffic safety.
