Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll visited the Freedom Transit in the Washington Transportation Center to discuss funding for public transit. In his address, Carroll outlined Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-2026 budget proposal of allocating an additional $292.5 million for public transportation. That money would be derived from sales tax contributions, a 1.75% increase over last year’s allocation from the sales tax pool. This would mean that Freedom Transit would realize $470,000 in additional funding this year. Sheila Gombita, Executive Director of Freedom Transit calls their services “lifeline services.” They not only operate fixed route services that take riders into Pittsburgh and other areas, the brunt of their services are shared ride services. Those services provide people who do not have cars a means to get to work, shop or most importantly obtain medical care. Terry Wiltrout, Vice President of Operations for UPMC/Washington Hospital said that without the shared ride services provided by Freedom Transit, patients may delay scheduled appointments. Those delays could increase medical bills due to a delay in diagnosis or a need for additional medical tests. Gombita indicated that increased funding is needed. Her organization is not in crisis mode, but without a reliable income stream, services could be reduced. The most likely cuts could be in shared ride services. Secretary Carroll said that the state house has introduced measures three time to increase spending on public transportation. All three times, the state senate refused to act. He called on the state senate to take action to properly fund public transportation.