Transportation : Buzz

The plan includes a trolley/streetcar system, which would reduce dependence on automobiles and "inspire walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods and spur tremendous economic activity."

"Pursuing a policy of regenerative development will allow the city and people of Pittsburgh to continue thriving economically while creating green jobs that improve the region," writes Walsh, "Though still a bit bruised from the steel town days, Pittsburgh is improving rapidly and being recognized widely for it: the city was chosen as the U.S. host for the U.N. World Environment Day and was once again named 'Most Livable City.'"

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"Pittsburgh's public-transit system is large for a city of its size, including three bus-only highways, making for a zippy trip to work. And who knew Steelers fans were such big readers? The city is in the top five for bookstores per capita," the article states.

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To compile its list, U.S. News included cities with populations of more than 50,000. They then considered the average commuting time in metropolitan areas throughout the country--24.4 minutes in 2009, according to the Census--and narrowed the list to cities with even shorter average commuting times.

In Pittsburgh the average commute time is 23.1 minutes, and 33.5 percent of commuters are non-car commuters, meaning they travel by foot, bicycle or public transportation.

"[Pittsburgh] has a large public transit system for its size," the study reports. "Pittsburgh's transit system, the Port Authority of Allegheny County, has a daily ridership of 240,000 on its buses and light rail. The city also has one of the largest bus rapid transit systems in the country, with three bus-only highways. Its light rail system has the 16th-most passenger miles traveled of any light rail in the country, according to the American Public Transportation Association."

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Pittsburgh was ranked 49th out of 52 in degree of danger.

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Gulfstream International Airlines, a Fort Lauderdale-based airline, is in negotiations with the Allegheny County Airport Authority to add nonstop service to six to eight cities, including Harrisburg and Du Bois.

"Pittsburgh has been without nonstop flights to the state capital since September 2008, when US Airways discontinued the service," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article states.

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About Pittsburgh, Byrne writes, "I rode around through the hills that are everywhere here except by the waterfront… The downtown was jumping, the little neighborhoods thriving, and folks are moving back into the city. Sustainability, public transport, and bike lanes aren't scoffed at anymore."

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