S3 Ep 1: Laura Chu Wiens - Campaigning for Community-Led Solutions in Pittsburgh

High Frequency

In February 2022, Pittsburgh’s Mon-Oakland Connector Project—an autonomous shuttle proposal that would have spent $23 million of taxpayer dollars—finally died. Cause of death? Years of organizing by the advocacy group Pittsburghers for Public Transit that called attention to the fact that the project did little to serve the actual mobility needs of Pittsburgh residents.

PPT is a grassroots organization of transit riders, workers, and residents who defend and expand public transit. In this episode, I spoke with the organization’s executive director, Laura Chu Wiens, about how PPT and allied groups successfully fought against the Mon-Oakland Connector and shifted public funds towards community-led solutions. Laura also shares her thoughts about how governmental agencies can build trust with and listen to communities.

"If the city was taking the time to finally address mobility needs, why wouldn’t it be that they would’ve started with the things that would be so impactful and so obviously needed rather than investing in this tech-based solution.” - Laura Chu Wiens

For more on Pittsburghers for Public Transit, click here.

For more on TransitCenter, click here.

Hosted by Kapish Singla
Edited by Ali Lemer and Kapish Singla
Produced by TransitCenter
Music: “Comma” - Blue Dot Sessions
Disclaimer: Political views raised by guests on the podcast do not reflect the views of TransitCenter.