Thousands in Allegheny County begin getting free, discounted transit cards

PublicSource
February 21, 2023

A public transit rider walks from the Pittsburgh Regional Transit Blue Line’s Library T Station to the park and ride lot.

After one year, the county will analyze how free and discounted fares impacted communities and households.

by Matt Petras, PublicSource

Patrice Aaron received a ConnectCard in December that gives her free, unlimited public transit rides.

“It helps tremendously for me because I have a son, and I’m a single mom as well, and I need to be able to get back and forth without feeling like I have to spend hundreds of dollars,” said the 29-year-old Hill District resident.

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services [DHS] will soon finish distributing discount ConnectCards to Pittsburgh Regional Transit [PRT] riders as a part of its Discounted Fares Pilot Program, and riders and organizers say it’s already changing lives.

Anyone eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] benefits could apply to participate in the yearlong pilot during the sign-up period, which closed Feb. 12.

DHS accepted 9,574 people into the program, but because DHS also distributed cards to family members of some applicants, 14,164 people have been granted cards, according to spokesperson Mark Bertolet. There are three types of cards:

4,583 people, a control group, get cards with a $10 “thank you” balance on them but no ongoing discount
4,710 get the $10 and an ongoing 50% discount
4,871 people ride for free.

All participants have been chosen and assigned discount levels, and DHS plans to have all cards distributed by Feb. 24. DHS also hopes to share demographic information about the participants then. Some have already received their cards, which will work for one year from the date they were mailed.

“I signed up with it just to see if I was gonna qualify,” Aaron said. “At first, I didn’t think I was gonna qualify, but I did. And it felt really good, because now I don’t have to stress over bus money every day.”

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Thousands in Allegheny County begin getting free, discounted transit cards

After one year, the county will analyze how free and discounted fares impacted communities and households.

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