A packed afternoon ride on a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus turned into a rolling fight scene Friday when a brawl between teenagers erupted in the aisle and spilled riders out the doors.
Video that circulated online shows the confrontation unfolding from inside the bus, with shouting erupting and at least one punch thrown before a full-on scuffle breaks out. The clash happened in the 300 block of Centre Avenue around 3 p.m., prompting other passengers to clear out as the chaos escalated.
According to WPXI, a Pittsburgh Regional Transit spokesperson said the agency is aware of a fight involving several juveniles on one of its buses. The spokesperson told the station that this type of behavior will not be tolerated and emphasized that rider and operator safety is a priority. Port Authority police are assisting Pittsburgh police as they work to identify the people seen in the footage, the station reported.
Transit Police Investigating
Pittsburgh Regional Transit says it takes rider safety seriously and urges anyone who feels unsafe or witnesses trouble to alert the operator or report it directly to Port Authority Police. As outlined on Pittsburgh Regional Transit's news page, riders are directed to call Port Authority Police at 412-255-1385 or dial 911 if a situation threatens safety.
Part of a Broader Trend Downtown
The bus fight comes on the heels of a string of unsupervised teen clashes downtown this spring. A Market Square melee on March 23 involved roughly 40 juveniles and led officers to deploy pepper spray. Pittsburgh Public Schools also warned parents in late March about a planned "downtown takeover" that officials and police said they were monitoring, according to WPXI.
How Riders Can Help
Investigators are asking anyone who recorded Friday's bus incident to hang onto that video and share it with police. Pittsburgh Regional Transit directs riders to pass tips to Port Authority Police or Pittsburgh police. If you have information, PRT recommends contacting Port Authority Police at 412-255-1385, or calling 911 in an emergency, in line with the agency's public guidance.
