Transit riders and transit systems across Pennsylvania are in crisis. As Transit for All PA, we’re organizing for fully funded, restored and expanded transit service FOR ALL COMMUNITIES across Pennsylvania- with no communities left behind. Regardless of where we live, all riders and workers deserve reliable, frequent, accessible and fully-funded transit that meets our needs.
We know that public transit runs in all of PA’s 67 counties. All communities have some form of shared-ride service, which moves our elders and people with disabilities, and many counties also have fixed route bus service as well. But too often, we only hear about transit needs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
As a statewide grassroots coalition, we’re shining a light on the experiences of residents in small and rural communities across Pennsylvania because we know that for many riders, state funding for rural and small community transit service has not met their needs. That’s why the Transit for All PA funding package is not merely about maintaining the austerity-level service that we have, but is enough to restore transit service statewide to 2019 levels, with an ADDITIONAL 10% service expansion for non Pittsburgh and Philadelphia communities.
[Send a Letter Urging Your Legislator to Co-Sponsor the Transit for All PA Funding Package.]
[Join our next Small Systems monthly working group! Pennsylvania small communities are organizing together to show legislators that public transit matters everywhere.]
So what’s the status of transit in small communities?
For a start, we know transit agencies across all of Pennsylvania have lost service since COVID, with particular loss of on intercity service.
And more cuts are just around the corner.
Shared ride services all across the Commonwealth are at risk. In a PennDOT report released in March 2025, they identified a minimum of a $55 million operating deficit for statewide shared ride services. Without more money, that funding need will translate into less shared ride service availability, higher fares and less fixed route transit service as agencies use their fixed route funding to plug their shared ride service holes.
For those in the Lehigh Valley, LANTA is projecting a 20% service cut and a 25% minimum fare increase in fixed route service in 2026, as well as a 25% MINIMUM fare increase for shared ride services without more state funding for transit. This is on top of a 4% service cut they made in June.
In Berks and Lancaster counties, BARTA has disclosed a structural deficit that has stalled their plan for service expansion into Kutztown and will lead to cuts of existing service without new funding.
In York County, Rabbit Transit faces enormous fare increases for shared-ride service, further putting those most transit-dependent at-risk.
In Centre County, Benner Township and Spring Township are being considered for service cuts by CATA. Bellefonte is also having to eliminate all remaining fixed route service. CATA is proposing 14% fare increases to fixed route buses and CATA go services as well in the next fiscal year.
In Cambria County, CamTran medical transport is at risk of serious cuts.
In Westmoreland County, due to the uncertainty around state funding, their transit agency has put its substantial proposed service improvements on hold. These included implementation of new micro transit zones in New Kensington, Lower Burell, Irwin, North Huntingdon and Herminie, as well as other unspecified new route additions within the Westmoreland Transit fixed route system.
In Erie, riders haven’t had Sunday transit service since it was eliminated in 2020.
Snyder Township in Jefferson County just discontinued its funding for AmTran, eliminating its sole fixed bus route.
Covering parts of Washington and Westmoreland County, Mid Mon Valley Transit and Freedom say they are facing funding deficits in coming years, and need increased state funding to even maintain existing levels of service.
Monroe County Transportation Authority shared this with us via E-mail:
“If full funding comes through, we will be able to provide Sunday fixed route service. This would be a great benefit to our community as many resort and hospitality workers do not get off on weekends and holidays.
Without these funds, MCTA could see our fiscal cliff in our FY 2027 – 2028 budget. MCTA had been an urban area, but in the last census we were demoted. The remaining balance of our federal 5307 funds will be consumed in the FY 2026 – 2027 budget. This will require us to use more state only funds to keep our level of service.”
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Take Action With Us!
The good news is we’re organizing together, as riders and workers statewide to win dedicated and expanded state funding for the service we ALL deserve.
Join our monthly Small Systems Working Group, and send a letter to your legislators asking them to co-sponsor the Transit for All PA funding package here.
And use our organizing toolkit to mobilize your community for more state funding to grow transit service in small communities!.