Some Pittsburgh bus riders will see altered service because of upcoming construction beginning for the University Line bus-rapid transit project, the region’s first major public transit operation in years.

Four bus routes that currently cut though Oakland on their way to Downtown Pittsburgh will be shortened in order to make way for construction starting Oct. 1, said Pittsburgh Regional Transit.

The $291 million project recently received $150 million from the federal government, enabling it to start construction this year. It intends to shorten travel times, improve bus service, and upgrade infrastructure between Oakland and Downtown, the region’s two largest job centers.

Starting on Oct. 1, bus routes 61D-Murray, 71A-Negley, 71C-Point Breeze, and 71D-Hamilton will end in Oakland, no longer serving Uptown and Downtown. Pittsburgh Regional Transit said these routes will also have the word “short” added to their route displays.

The agency said riders of those lines can take or transfer to 61A-North Braddock, 61B-Braddock-Swissvale, 61C-McKeesport-Homestead or 71B-Highland Park bus routes to reach Uptown and Downtown destinations. Transfers are free within a three-hour window with ConnectCards or mobile ticketing.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit said shortening the 61D, 71A, 71C, and 71D routes to end in Oakland will prevent them from getting caught in traffic congestion caused by construction, which will start in Downtown and continue into Uptown and Oakland in 2024.

Once construction is complete, University Line buses will run in bus-only lanes along the Fifth-Forbes corridor through extended stretches of Downtown, Uptown, and Oakland. The University Line will also include a two-way protected bike lane, upgraded stations, and improved pedestrian access.

The agency said it will be adding service to the 82-Lincoln, 87-Friendship, and the P7-McKeesport Flyer bus routes in order to support the changes. Each of these buses share service with the shortened routes.

Other service changes not related to University Line construction include service increases for popular bus routes and detours to accommodate bridge rehabilitation projects.

The agency’s most popular bus, the P1, will see service increases to minimize crowding during rush hours. And detours will be built into the 58-Greenfield, 65-Squirrel Hill, and 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood bus routes because of the Charles Anderson Bridge rehabilitation project.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is hosting an online meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 to answer questions about the service changes. A complete list of changes can be found at the agency’s website.

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