PRT Helped Power a Successful NFL Draft, Moving 485,000 Riders and Generating More Than $1.2 Million in New Revenue | Pittsburgh Regional Transit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 13, 2026) - Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) helped power one of the most successful major events in the region’s history, moving nearly half a million riders during the 2026 NFL Draft while generating more than $1.2 million in new revenue, demonstrating the critical role transit plays in supporting the regional economy and national moment on the stage.

From April 23 through April 25, residents and visitors relied on PRT’s bus, light rail, and incline network to access Draft activities at Point State Park, the North Shore, and destinations across the city.

Over the three-day period, PRT recorded 485,000 rides, reflecting the extraordinary number of trips taken as people traveled throughout the region for Draft events, work, and daily life. The three-day total represented a 51% increase compared to the average ridership for two typical weekdays and one Saturday in March, the most recent period for which PRT has complete ridership data.

PRT’s four special Football Flyer routes alone carried nearly 60,000 riders, offering direct connections from park-and-ride locations across Allegheny County to the heart of the Draft. Thanks to support from the Pittsburgh Organizing Committee and The Pittsburgh Foundation, all Football Flyer service was fare-free, helping to remove barriers and making it easy for people across the region to participate.

“PRT helped make the Draft accessible to everyone,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “This was a moment for Pittsburgh to shine, and transit made it possible for hundreds of thousands of people to be part of it while also delivering real economic value for our region.”

To meet the moment, PRT redeployed service where it was needed most. Light rail operated every 15 minutes (every 7 1/2 minutes in Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore), and both light rail and the Monongahela Incline were fare-free through a partnership with Sheetz, helping create a seamless, high-capacity network. Local bus routes operated on Saturday schedules yet continued to serve riders across the county, ensuring that daily life didn’t stop even as the city hosted the global event.

At the same time, the Draft generated more than $1.2 million in new revenue for PRT through advertising, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships, reinforcing the value of public transit — not just as infrastructure, but as an economic engine.

Key contributions included approximately $494,000 in advertising sales, along with major investments from regional partners. VisitPITTSBURGH contributed $350,000 to support expanded bus service, while Sheetz, the Pittsburgh Organizing Committee, and The Pittsburgh Foundation funded fare-free access across key parts of the system.

“This was Pittsburgh at its best: public agencies, private partners, and community leaders coming together to deliver something big,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Transit was at the center of that success. We connected people to opportunity and showed what this region can do when we invest in a system that works.”

Beyond the direct financial impact, the Draft served as a powerful showcase for the reach and visibility of public transit. PRT vehicles, stations, and facilities connected brands with hundreds of thousands of riders and visitors, highlighting the system’s role as a platform for engagement and investment.

“The level of exposure and energy we saw during the Draft was incredible,” said Terri Landis, PRT’s advertising director. “It showed that transit isn’t just about getting from point A to point B — it's a dynamic part of the region’s economic and cultural life.”

PRT’s performance during the Draft underscores the importance of continued investment in public transportation, not only to support major events, but to strengthen the region’s economy, expand access to opportunity, and keep Allegheny County moving every day.