How distasteful are Pittsburgh busses vs. light rail? (York, Lebanon: apartment, homes)

[ebyrnes]

Hi, I'm probably going to move back home to Pittsburgh from Philly (also considering Cleveland). I really want to give up my car and use transit. In Philly, our commuter train system is pretty decent, if limited. The trolley system isn't horrible. The busses are a nightmare - loud, bumpy, and full of rude, noisy, messy people with little understand/appreciation for community property. Please let me be clear: I mean NOTHING racist by this. I have a lot of disrespect for ANYONE who cannot conduct themselves in a decent manner in public.

While I ponder neighborhoods, I wonder if there is an advantage to living on the light rail line. Are people generally more respectful? I really think that the grossness of Philly busses just ferments more bad behavior.

TIA, and apologies in advance if my question offends anyone.

e

[Awesomo.2000]

I miss Philly's trains. I miss drinking in Center city and a few blocks to go underground into the trainstation and getting on a train to take you safely home. I never once rode the busses there, so I don't know you are decribing. The PAT busses arn't bad. Typical of busses I rode in other cities. The lightrail is really slow here. It seems to stop every 5 minutes which gets annoying.

[fleetiebelle]

The PAT busses arn't bad. Typical of busses I rode in other cities

I'd second this. I don't know that I've noticed that the T is nicer than the bus, but I do have to stand on the way into town in the mornings, and people do seem to take all the jostling in stride.

[Geeo]

The buses I ride are generally between downtown, Oakland and the rest of the East End. I can say that I've never had a bad experience. They're pretty crowded during rush hours, though.

[Kate88]

I prefer the T to the bus, but it seems horribly ineffecient to me. Especially the line that goes to Mt. Lebanon (through Dormont/Beechview/Overbrook).

I find the bus system suitable for all of my needs, living in Shadyside.

While the T may be nicer to ride than the bus, and Mt. Lebanon and Dormont are pretty walkable, but I think it'd be hard to get by totally carless. I think the east end (Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Oakland, Bloomfield, etc.) are definitely more pedestrian friendly. I have 3 great grocery stores in less than a 10-minute walk from my apartment, pizza places, coffee shops, pharmacies, bookstores, bars, all on my block.

[Tinare]

The buses in my experience are not bad. I really only ride during peak rush hours, though, to and from downtown. The only issue with living without a car would be bus schedules and it would all be dependent upon the neighborhood you choose. Also, there are Zip cars here in Pittsburgh, if you are familiar with that -- I know they are in Philly too -- if you occassionally need a car.

[lifepgh2op]

IMO, Cleveland's RTA is probably a little better than the T in Pittsburgh, but the thing is, there's not many neighborhoods in the city of Cleveland that I would consider as desirable as a city neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

Like, it is possible to live in a decent Pittsburgh city neighborhood and not have a car, whereas in Cleveland... I'd choose the suburbs over the city, and not many of the better suburbs have RTA service as far as I can tell (Rapid Transit Locations - Popular Destinations | Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority).

[mattjd]

The T is probably nicer simply because it goes through the South Hills and ends up at South Hills Village and South Park, which are decent places. I agree that the T takes way, way too long and sucks because it constantly stops. I swear it must take 30 mins to get through Beechview. IMHO, the ghetto areas have some of the best public transportation. Taking the EBA from Negley, East Liberty, or Wilkinsburg gets you downtown really quick. I don't think I would live in Pittsburgh without a car to be honest. It would be very difficult, unless you have friends with a car.

[Kate88]

Originally Posted by mattjd

I don't think I would live in Pittsburgh without a car to be honest. It would be very difficult, unless you have friends with a car.

I think it all depends where you live and your degree of flexibility. I am from a suburb of a large town, and everyone is completely car dependent. My roommate has a car here, but honestly, we only use it on that rare occasion every other month or so when we decide to go to Sonic in the North Hills ... mmm!

I actually rarely even use the bus. I can easily walk everywhere I could need or want to go. My classes, grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants, library, movie theaters, coffee shops, etc. Having been car-dependent before, I find it very freeing to be able to walk everywhere. Plus, it is great exercise!

[JoeLeaphorn]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

IMO, Cleveland's RTA is probably a little better than the T in Pittsburgh, but the thing is, there's not many neighborhoods in the city of Cleveland that I would consider as desirable as a city neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

Ummm. Ohio City? If the Strip District was laced with Victorian homes, you'd have Ohio City. But I'll agree that Pittsburgh has many more neighborhoods that have a neighborhood feel. That is probably because the steep hills and valleys made sprawl more difficult in Pittsburgh. Shaker Square is also nice.

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

Like, it is possible to live in a decent Pittsburgh city neighborhood and not have a car, whereas in Cleveland... I'd choose the suburbs over the city, and not many of the better suburbs have RTA service as far as I can tell (Rapid Transit Locations - Popular Destinations | Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority).

Both Pittsburgh and Cleveland suffer from poor transportation planning and a somewhat incompatible mix of technologies. If you live in any of the neighborhoods east of the Universities, you'll think that Pittsburgh bus service rivals New York City in terms of availability. Practically anywhere else and you'll feel neglected.

As noted, elsewhere, the LRT is kinda quaint. If you happen to live along one of the lines and have a lot of time on your hands it is a nice way to get around but it isn't particularly fast. Mt. Lebanon, which is on the LRT, is a very nice community and there is affordable living on the fringes but unless your destination is downtown, you'll need to transfer in the city.