Port Authority’s cashless fare system has problems

Port Authority’s decision to delay cashless fares on the light rail system dates back to software problems that developed after it changed its fare policy in January.

David Donahoe, the authority’s interim CEO, said Friday that the problems with existing machines have to be solved before supplier Scheidt & Buchmann of Lowell, Mass., builds new ones.

The agency announced Wednesday it would delay the start of the cashless fares for light rail passengers from this summer until at least the end of the year because it hasn’t received the first 10 of 20 machines to supply prepaid ConnectCards.

In January, the authority changed from a two-tier fare system to a flat, $2.50 fare for all ConnectCard passengers, $2.75 for for those paying cash.

Software changes for the fare collection system and ConnectCard machines at that time caused what Mr. Donahoe called a “dramatic jump” in problems with the system.

“There have been issues [with the machines] along the way, but there was a spike when the changes were made in January,” he said.

As a result, Scheidt has had three employees in Pittsburgh this week to address the existing problems. Scheidt officials couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.

Mr. Donahoe said the agency and company have agreed on a schedule that should have new machines delivered in October.

The authority could get by with the problems that have existed since the beginning of the year, with operators allowing customers to ride when machines won’t read their prepaid cards and riders paying cash when they can’t get or replenish cards. But the system, which will have all riders pay at the station using a machine that reads their ConnectCard or buying a day pass instead of paying on the train, will need to operate in a near-perfect manner to allow cashless fares, Mr. Donahoe said.

“[Cashless fares] isn’t just about the 15 percent who pay cash now,” he said. “It’s going to change the system for everybody.”

That’s why the agency plans to field-test the new machines before it begins a two-month public education campaign on the payment system.

The authority had serious problems with the fare system when it was first installed under a $32 million contract in 2010.

For months, some machines wouldn’t accept cash, causing the authority to allow thousands of free rides.

Despite the previous and current problems, the authority board Friday authorized a five-year maintenance contract with Scheidt for a maximum of $10.4 million.

Mr. Donahoe said that’s standard practice for large transit agencies.

“Transit systems decide to invest in a package and with that comes all kinds of machinery,” he said. “There’s an expectation they will last a useful life, so you work with the vendor to resolve the problems.”

Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com