Signup starts for the public to address transit fares

Port Authority has opened registration for an online question-and-answer session and three public hearings on its proposed fare changes.

The proposed changes would raise fares from $2.50 to $2.75 for riders who use a prepaid ConnectCard; allow unlimited rides during a three-hour period, eliminating transfer fees; and have seven- day and monthly passes stay the same price but begin on the first day they are used, rather than the first day of the week or month.

Port Authority staff will answer questions from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Public hearings, where riders can testify for up to three minutes, will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. April 22; from 9 a.m. to noon April 30; and from 4 to 7 p.m. May 4.

Riders can register for the sessions at portauthority.org/fares2021 or by calling 412-442-2000. Riders can participate by computer or by telephone, and American Sign Language interpreters will be available at all meetings.

An additional public hearing will be scheduled with a Spanish interpreter.

Riders also can submit comments by mail to Port Authority, Attn: 2021 Fare

Proposal, Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Ave., Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or by calling 412-566-5525 to leave a message on a recorded line. The deadline is 4 p.m. May 5.

After more than two years of study by consultant Four Nine Technologies, the authority released recommendations for fare changes in late March and opened a 40day comment period. The authority would like to implement the changes by July 1, but it may take longer than that to adjust fare boxes on buses and the light rail system.

The proposed changes are designed to address inequities for low-income riders by eliminating transfer fees, but advocates say they miss the mark.

That’s because low-income riders often can’t afford the upfront costs for passes or ConnectCards, so they won’t benefit from the three-hour unlimited rides because there is no way to show they already paid in cash.