Nearly 2,500 clients of 15 service-based organizations will benefit with free bus rides from Heritage Community Transportation’s courtesy rider card program.
Heritage’s courtesy rider card program received nearly 30 applications from nonprofits this year, a five-fold increase compared to past years, according to a news release. Last year it gave the cards to just three organizations.
Leaders of the nonprofit — a division of Heritage Community Initiatives, based in Braddock — decided to make the program much bigger this year, “knowing the challenges our fellow nonprofits are facing due to the commonwealth budget crisis” and “because access to affordable transportation is critical to the regional economy.”
Organizations receiving cards this year for distribution to their clients are Allegheny County Housing Authority, Allegheny Intermediate Unit/East Allegheny Family Center, Auberle, Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, Devereux/TCV, Dress for Success Pittsburgh, Foundation of HOPE, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Jeremiah’s Place, Milestone Centers Inc., Mon Valley Initiative, North Hills Community Outreach, PA CareerLink Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Community Inc. and UPMC Children’s Hospital Empowering Teens to Thrive Program.
The number of cards each organization received range from five to more than 1,000. Training on how to use them is complete, and the passes have been distributed to them.
“We know that a lack of transportation is often a barrier to people accessing community services, and it can negatively impact their ability to get and keep jobs,” Heritage Community Initiatives President and CEO Paula G. McWilliams said in the release. “It is our honor to collaborate with these 15 fellow nonprofit organizations to further help individuals contribute to our economy and support their health and well-being.”
Launched in 2021, the program provides nonprofits, schools and government-affiliated entities the ability to provide three-month complimentary rider cards to their constituents.
Card holders are entitled to free unlimited rides on Heritage Community Transportation buses, which serve individuals and families in 16 eastern Allegheny County communities, including East Pittsburgh, McKeesport and Monroeville, according to the release. Riders often use it to connect to Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses.
Heritage Community Transportation offers three fixed bus routes with more than 81 stops. To date, Heritage has provided more than 1.6 million rides.
Heritage Community Initiatives is the only human service nonprofit designated as a provider of public transportation in Pennsylvania. The service, a division of Heritage, operates under the same quality standards and compliance requirements as PRT.
Heritage Community Initiatives is dedicated to three essential elements of socioeconomic mobility: transportation, education and nutrition, according to the release. For more than 40 years, it has served individuals from more than 80 Allegheny County communities.
Information including bus schedules is available on the Heritage Community Initiatives website at heritageserves.org/how-we-serve/transportation/.
The PUP is the publication of the striking workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
