Big Transit Cuts, PA’s Special Election & Dollywood Meets Kennywood
Pittsburgh’s got a lot to lose! If more state funding doesn’t come through, PRT announced they’ll have to make huge service cuts, like fully shutting down 41 bus routes and ending service after 11 p.m. Plus, the Trump administration’s threatening to close Pittsburgh’s HUD field office. Executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo discuss the latest. Plus, they explain why there might not be any competitive city council races on the primary ballot, how a special election will determine who controls the PA House, and why Kennywood and Dollywood are (kind of) having a crossover moment.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- Information on PRT’s proposed service changes [Pittsburgh Regional Transit]
- What if Pittsburgh's Public Transit Went Away? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Stop Catastrophic Service Cuts [Pittsburghers for Public Transit]
- Chipped Ham Empanadas, Fancy Spaghetti O’s & More Food to Try This Spring [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Can Inclusionary Zoning Fix Pittsburgh’s Housing Crisis? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Petition challenges mean Pittsburgh could have no contested Council races this spring [WESA]
- Who’s running in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County elections in 2025? [PublicSource]
- Majority control of Pennsylvania House hinges on special election in steel region near Pittsburgh [AP News]
- Pittsburgh’s HUD Field Office Could Be at Risk [City of Pittsburgh]
- Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild set to be bought by Dollywood owners [TRIBLive]
Learn more about the sponsors of this March 21st episode:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Can Waymo Crack Pittsburgh?
Have you had a Waymo sighting lately? It suddenly seems like these robotaxis are everywhere. Pittsburgh has been a testing ground for aut...

Restaurant Week, '90s Nostalgia & Cathy's 100th Birthday
One of Pittsburgh's most iconic buildings is 100 years young. Host Megan Harris and audience development manager Rachel Carlson share wha...

Pittsburgh's Grocery Store Showdown
Giant Eagle has long been the main grocery game in town — it's celebrating 95 years in the Burgh with special merch — but that's about to...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
As much as you love Pittsburgh, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have co...

Pittsburgh’s Measles Risk, Explained
Measles cases are on the rise in Pennsylvania. We just notched 200 cases, with more than 45 reported in the last week alone. This is es...

Sports Villains, Redemption Arcs, and the One Man We'll Never Forgive
Is it villainous to avoid Pittsburgh for over a decade? To get rich off our sports teams but never try to win? If a celebrity claims us,...

What Happened to Station Square?
Station Square has been many things: a festival marketplace ("think outdoor shopping mall with razzamatazz"), a home to megaclubs and war...

Your Guide to August 2026 in Pittsburgh
Whether you want to board a pontoon boat, catch free live music in the park, or follow up a round of mini golf with an ice cream sandwich...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One City Beat Restrictive Zoning — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Do you know how zoning laws affect Pittsburgh’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: The Trick to Getting People To Volunteer — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
It’s not a given that every Pittsburgher will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writ...

