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Port Authority Votes To Restructure Fares For 2017

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – It took just five seconds for the Board of Directors of the Port Authority to approve.

But restructuring fares for public transit has been months in the making.

The goal, says CEO Ellen McLean, "Maximize the ConnectCard, encourage ridership, discourage fare evasion, and simplify what currently is an overly complex fare payment system."

Beginning January 1, Allegheny County becomes one big zone with a flat $2.50 charge for riders who use a ConnectCard, a card on which you load money through an app or a machine.

"I think it's a great idea. I'm in Zone 2 right now, so that will be great for me," says Mary Austin of North Versailles.

Sure is.  Zone 2 riders will save a $1.25 on each ride.

The Port Authority hopes the $4 million loss in reduced fares will be made up with new riders through smart technology.

"Nowadays the smarter you can make your system, the more appealing it is to people of that younger generation," Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie told KDKA money editor Jon Delano on Friday.

Transfers remain one dollar for ConnectCard users, while passengers paying cash would have to pay full fare with a 25-cent surcharge.

ConnectCards are currently free, and over 400,000 cards have already been issued.  You only need one and they're good forever.  But beginning in January, it will cost a buck to get a ConnectCard, so now is a good time to get your free card.

About 15 percent of riders still pay cash, which PAT says slows the process, taking 3 to 5 times longer to pay than a ConnectCard.

The long term goal is to go cash-less, and the T will require cashless ConnectCards for all riders in July of 2017.

Some other changes:  no free bus rides downtown although the T remains free downtown and the North Side.

And no matter the time of day or where you are, all payments will be made as you enter the vehicle.

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