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Port Authority Board To Decide On Flat Fare Proposal Friday

Port Authority of Allegheny County

After thousands of public transit riders clamored for an easier-to-use system, the Port Authority of Allegheny County is now poised to get rid of its multi-zone fare structure.

A Friday morning board vote will decide whether the authority will adopt a flat fare system for 2017.

For now, riders pay $2.50 for each bus trip, and they have to pay an extra $1.25 if their routes cross the boundaries of PAT’s inner and outer zones.

If the changes go through, zones would be a thing of the past.

All rides would cost $2.50 for ConnectCard users and $2.75 for people who pay cash. Riders transferring to another bus would get an up-charge, $1 for card-carriers and $2.75 for cash-payers.

The free bus zone Downtown would also be eliminated, though free light rail service from Downtown to the North Shore would continue.

Under the proposed system, all riders would be asked to pay as soon as they get on the bus.

The cost to buy a ConnectCard, currently free, would increase to $1 under the proposal. If approved, the new system would go into effect Jan. 1.

The board will meet to vote on the proposed fare changes at 9:30 a.m. Friday.