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Guide To Pittsburgh's Public Transportation

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Pittsburgh truly is a remarkable city to live in - especially when you don't have to navigate the often-confusing highways, one-way streets, dead-end avenues and narrow alleys. Check out this guide to Pittsburgh's transportation system (one that is often overlooked by commuters) and see if any of the options fit your lifestyle. Each selection offers a variety of money-saving features and a convenient way to access your place of business, school or next activity without worrying about the hassle of finding a gas station or accessible parking lot.

Port Authority Bus Transit
534 Smithfield St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 442-2000
www.portauthority.org

The Authority's 2,400 employees operate, maintain and support transportation services including bus and light rail for approximately 230,000 daily riders in and around the greater Pittsburgh area. PAT maintains three busways: the 4.3-mile South Busway, the 9.1-mile Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway and the five-mile West Busway, and also 53 Park and Ride lots through Allegheny County. Port Authority riders may pay using cash, ConnectCards, prepaid tickets, passes or by providing identification for other special fare programs, such as senior or veteran ID cards. You're sure to get a ride on one of the fleet's 700+ buses, with service (generally) running from 5:15 a.m to 8:48 p.m. seven days a week. Visit PAT Transit's page for a fare schedule and service times.

Duquesne Incline
1197 W. Carson St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 381-1665
www.duquesneincline.org

Take a trip back in time on Pittsburgh's most historic landmark. The Duquesne Incline, a century-old cable car system, now transports riders to and from the sights and sounds of Carson Street and Station Square to Mount Washington. Services run Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. and Sundays and holidays from 7 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. Cash fares as well as Port Authority bus passes and tickets are accepted as payment on the incline. Use the system as a means of travel or even a history lesson as you browse the site's upper-tier museum and observation deck.

The T (Light Rail Service)
Port Authority
534 Smithfield St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 442-2000
www.portauthority.org/TLines.pdf

Pittsburgh's T is a 26.2-mile light rail system that runs from downtown Pittsburgh/North Shore through Pittsburgh's southern neighborhoods and varied South Hills areas. Several of the T's 53 stops include Gateway Center, Steel Plaza, Washington Junction and Station Square, among others. The "T" has three active lines (in addition to several discontinued lines): the Red Line, Blue Line-Library and Blue Line-South Hills Village. Wonderfully maintained and a convenient way to access all of Pittsburgh's major metropolitan areas, Pittsburgh's Light Rail is the successor system to the streetcar network formerly operated by Pittsburgh Railways, the oldest portions of which date back to the early 1900s.

Related: Favorite Spots To Take Visitors In Pittsburgh

ACCESS Paratransit
650 Smithfield St., Suite 440
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-562-5353
www.access.org

ACCESS is Pittsburgh's door-to-door, call-ahead, shared-ride transportation service, which caters to primarily senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Rides are conducted from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. ACCESS places no restrictions on how many times a person travels a day or for what purposes, however, riders must expect to share the service with persons heading in the same direction at the same time. ACCESS serves all of Allegheny County as well as points 1.5 miles outside the county line. Fares vary; for more information, service schedule or eligibility determination, call ACCESS or visit the website for further details.

Pittsburgh Transportation Group
(412) 444-4444
www.pghyellowcab.com

Whether you're looking for a cab to take you to the next Pirate game, a limo for your prom or a town car to use while you're here on business, Pittsburgh Transportation Group service has covered. Group charter services, Super Shuttles to and from the airport and coaches are also available to fit your transportation needs, and are a convenient, super-accessible way to enjoy everything that this historical city has to offer. In addition, PTG has partnered with a number of local businesses, like the Gateway Clipper Fleet, the Penguins franchise and the Greater Pittsburgh Hotel Association, to bring you the best deals and offers in the city. To schedule your ride, call the hotline, email or visit PTG's website for more details.

Related:  Top Cool Way To Tour Pittsburgh

Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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