Pittsburgh presents NFL Draft transportation plan
With the 2026 NFL Draft headed to Pittsburgh, organizers unveiled a multimodal transportation plan Wednesday, March 25, to help residents and tourists navigate the city.
To help with additional people visiting the city for the draft between April 23 and 25, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) will expand its public transportation options, a release from Visit Pittsburgh said. It will also partner with a number of regional transit authorities, including the Butler Transit Authority.
The Butler Transit Authority will offer a direct service from the Route 528 Park and Ride to the Ross Park and Ride, where riders will connect with PRT to get to the draft.
More details on Butler Transit Authority’s service plan for the draft were not immediately available Wednesday.
The overall plan was created by the Pittsburgh Organizing Committee alongside Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, PRT and a number of regional partners.
“Our plan for the draft is about balancing the needs of the thousands of fans coming to Pittsburgh and meeting this special moment, while continuing to deliver for the people who rely on us every day,” PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman said in a release. “No matter why you're traveling that week, our goal is to make transit the easiest and most reliable way to get there.”
To reduce congestion, PRT plans to host four special “Football Flyer” bus routes between 10 a.m. and 1 a.m. April 23 through 25. These routes will operate once every 15 minutes on April 23 and 24, and every 30 minutes on April 25.
‘Football Flyer’ routes
- 99N — Will start at the McCandless Park and Ride at 9700 McKnight Road, travel to the Ross Park and Ride at 5204 Perry Highway and will use the HOV lanes on I-279.
- 99E — Will start at the Monroeville Mall and serve every station along the East Busway.
- 99S — Will start at the Large Park and Ride at 219 Peters Creek Road and serve every station along the South Busway.
- 99W — Will start at the University Boulevard Park and Ride at 9000 University Boulevard, serve every stop on the West Busway, the lower station of the Duquesne Incline and the lower station of the Monongahela Incline.
- All four routes will drop off and pick up passengers near Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh and near PNC Park on the North Shore.
A number of regional transportation services will offer expanded and coordinated services specifically for the draft.
Other regional services participating include Beaver County Transit Authority, New Castle Area Transit Authority, Freedom Transit, Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation and Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority.
“Together, these regional services create a coordinated network of access points across the region, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to travel to and from draft events without needing to drive into the city,” the release said.
PRT will also increase light rail service between downtown and the North Shore during peak hours.
“The Red Line and Blue Line will operate from South Hills Village to North Side Station and will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. The Silver Line will operate from Library to Washington Junction, where riders can transfer to the Red or Blue Lines. Allegheny Station will be closed from April 22-25. Riders should use North Side Station during that period,” the release said.
Use of park-and-ride lots along the light rail system is recommended, as they will be open and most are free.
In addition to PRT’s regular fares, a special “draft pass” will be offered in the Ready2Ride app beginning April 1. The pass will provide unlimited rides for seven days for $25.
More information on Pittsburgh Regional Transportation’s plans can be found at www.rideprt.org.
The draft will also bring a number of road closures and traffic changes across the Pittsburgh’s downtown and North Shore areas.
Road closures in Pittsburgh are split across six phases, with first closures beginning as early as April 18 for a few roads near Acrisure Stadium. A majority of the road closures are in effect between April 22 and 25.
“Downtown and the North Shore will remain accessible, but travel patterns will differ from typical conditions due to road closures, increased demand and event operations. Reviewing transit options, parking availability and route adjustments in advance will help ensure a smoother experience,” the release said.
Ultimately, organizers encouraged residents and visitors to plan ahead and consider using the expanded transportation options.
