Pittsburgh Public Schools and A+ Schools Team-up to Launch Safety Ambassador Program

Beginning on Friday, September 3, K-12 students attending Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) kicked off the school year and returned to in-person learning, but many began navigating new ways to get to class due to bus driver shortages.

With PPS shifting a significant number of students to Port Authority buses this year, the district is seeking community support and partnering with A+ Schools to hire transportation ambassadors to help students, particularly first-time riders, navigate Port Authority’s transit system, welcome them to Downtown and other neighborhoods, and provide additional transportation resources and tips.

To date, A+ Schools has hired nine ambassadors, with the goal of staffing a total of 30 locations across the City through mid-October and 7-8 ambassadors staffed at Downtown locations, including at the Gateway T Station, Wood Street T Station, and along Liberty Avenue. For more information about the position and to apply, check out the online application or contact Graham Mulqueen from A+ Schools, at gmulqueen@aplusschools.org. Ambassador positions are part-time and pay $15 per hour.

Downtown Pittsburgh is home to two middle and high schools overseen by PPS, Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and City Charter High School, and a number of other special schools including Pioneer Education Center and Urban Pathways.

As Downtown residents, businesses, and visitors pass by students and the ambassadors in the coming weeks, we encourage you to be extra friendly and welcoming!