Getting Around in Pittsburgh

Getting around in Pittsburgh is relatively easy thanks to a well-developed public transport system consisting of buses, light rail and inclines. Downtown is a compact area, and parts of Pittsburgh are very pedestrian- and cycle-friendly. If you live in the city centre, you’re unlikely to need a car, although families and other suburbanites might find that driving makes life easier.

Public transport in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Regional Transit runs the public transport system in Pittsburgh. It operates an integrated ticketing system mainly based on the ConnectCard smartcard. The card can be loaded with credit and is valid for all three modes of public transport, as well as bicycle rental.

Buses

Pittsburgh’s fleet of buses operates over 98 routes and is a great way to get around the city. There are both regular and rapid transit bus services. Rapid transit services have their own dedicated busways, allowing them to skip traffic and provide faster journeys across the region.

Most bus routes terminate Downtown, so if you need to travel from one side of Pittsburgh to the other, you’ll likely need to make at least one transfer.

Light rail

Known as the T, Pittsburgh’s light rail system spans 26 miles (42km) and is clean, efficient and convenient. With three lines and more than 50 stops serving Downtown and southern neighbourhoods, the T covers essential areas and is used by many people for commuting.

The T can be an affordable mode of transport, given that its downtown route is free of charge from First Avenue to Allegheny.

Funicular

There are two historical funiculars in operation in Pittsburgh: the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline, both of which run between different parts of South Shore and Mount Washington. The Monongahela Incline is the oldest continuously operating funicular in the United States.

The inclines are great for experiencing a part of history while enjoying a panoramic view of the city. If you live in the area, they can be a useful form of transport, but they are mostly tourist attractions.

Useful links

• Pittsburgh Regional Transit

Taxis in Pittsburgh

Hailing a cab in the City of Bridges isn’t as simple as you might think. Unless you’re Downtown, hailing one off the street is unlikely, and the better option would be to call for one in advance. Most taxis operating in Downtown, called city cabs, are black and white and can be hailed off the street, but the city does have hundreds of other cab companies you could call.

Ride-hailing applications such as Uber and Lyft also operate in Pittsburgh.

Useful links

• Yellow Cab
• Eagle Cab
• Uber
• Lyft

Driving in Pittsburgh

You likely don’t need a car to get around in central Pittsburgh, especially if you live in the downtown area. Parking costs can add up quickly, and petrol prices in Pittsburgh tend to be above the national average. In addition, Downtown can be difficult to navigate, as streets are not laid out in a grid pattern, consisting of hundreds of one-ways, 400 bridges and a busy network of crisscrossing motorways.

Still, if you have children or wish to travel outside the city, owning a car can be highly useful.

Driver’s licences

For the first year from your date of entry into the United States, you’ll be able to drive on a valid foreign driver’s licence. It isn’t necessary to have an international driving permit, although this can make things easier. After a year, you’re required to replace your foreign licence with a Pennsylvania licence. This often requires going through a theory and possibly a practical driving test.

Public Transport, Driving and Driver’s Licences in the USA

Useful links

• PennDOT: Driver’s Licenses And Photo IDs
• Pittsburgh Parking Authority

Cycling in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is fairly cycle-friendly, with several dedicated cycling trails and lanes. You can bring your bicycle on any form of public transport.

If you don’t have your own bicycle, you can use the city’s bicycle-sharing scheme, POGOH. The system currently operates 60 stations with 600 bikes throughout the city, with over half being electric-assist bikes that help tackle Pittsburgh’s hills. Cyclists will need a POGOH membership, or they can opt for the pay-as-you-go option.

Useful links

• POGOH
• BikePGH: Cycling Advocacy And Resources