Port Authority Rate Hikes Go Into Effect

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Commuters coming into Pittsburgh Monday morning got their first experience with new Port Authority service rates.

The new fares are for all bus routes, the Mon Incline and T service.

The Zone 1 base fare went up by 25 cents to $2.25, Zone 2 fares went up 50 cents to $3.25. Transfers went up 25 cents to $1, but remain valid for three hours.

Weekly, monthly, annual, Go Pass and 10-trip ticket books also went up.

Some riders were upset over the hikes, but felt there is nothing they can do about it.

"What can we do? There's nothing we can do about it. We still have to get to work," Tiffany Hill said.

Other riders were just happy the Port Authority didn't make more service cuts.

"I would rather take the bus than commute and if it costs a little more, I'll pay it. But, I sure hope this is it for a good long while," Dave Sandborg said.

According to Port Authority representatives, they won't know what the budget will look like for the next year until they meet in the spring.

The fare hikes were scheduled to take place on New Year's Day, but in observance of the holiday and with the NHL's Winter Classic in town, the changes were delayed until Sunday.

For more information, call Port Authority Customer Service at (412)-442-2000, or visit www.portauthority.org.