Unlocking the Potential of Pittsburgh's Busways

Rather than building light rail, highways, or hyperloops, some advocates want Pittsburgh to look to its extensive busway system as a means to ease traffic, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and improve access to jobs.

Speaking to experts on transit and economic development, Ryan Deto recommends three basic strategies to expand the benefits of Pittsburgh's existing system.

• Rebrand: Pittsburgh busways were originally named for colors, and the article suggests returning to this system. Currently, lines are named for the directions they take: South Busway, East Busway, and so forth.

• Improve accessibility: Many stations are hostile to pedestrians and people with disabilities, Deto writes. Better ingress and street-facing design could improve visibility and use of the stations.

• Encourage transit-oriented development: Deto points to studies suggesting that mixed-use development around busway stations could reduce poverty by providing access to jobs. Port Authority, which manages Pittsburgh buses, offers TOD guidelines, but they are not mandatory.