Port Authority riders may pay to ride using cash (exact change), prepaid tickets, passes, transfers or by showing identification for other special fare programs, such as senior identification cards.
Passes and stored cash value can be loaded onto Port Authority's smart card, called the ConnectCard. Visit the ConnectCard website for details on how to get a card.
Port Authority operates a zone-based fare structure. The amount of fare is based on trip length originating from Downtown Pittsburgh. Higher fares are paid for trips crossing more than one zone.
Cash Fares
Generally, fares are paid as the rider boards when heading inbound (toward Downtown/Oakland), or exits when heading outbound (away from Downtown/Oakland). This is in effect before 7 p.m. to reduce congestion in the busy parts of the city. After 7 p.m., bus riders should pay as they board, regardless of direction. View exceptions to this rule.
|
Full Fare Prices
|
| |
Full Fare |
Transfer* |
Light Rail Surcharge** |
| Free Zone |
Free |
N/A |
None |
1 Zone
|
$2.50 |
$1.00 |
+ $0.75 |
2 Zones
|
$3.75 |
$1.00 |
+ $0.75 |
| Inclines |
$2.50 |
$1.00 |
None |
|
Half Fare Prices
Applies to children ages 6-11 and persons with disabilities
|
| |
Half Fare |
Transfer* |
Light Rail Surcharge** |
| Free Zone |
Free |
N/A |
None |
1 Zone
|
$1.25 |
$0.50 |
+ $0.35 |
2 Zones
|
$1.85 |
$0.50 |
+ $0.35 |
| Inclines |
$1.25 |
$0.50 |
None |
*Transfers
Riders may purchase transfers for $1.00. Transfers allow a one-zone ride in any direction aboard a connecting vehicle. Transfers are valid for three hours. The transfer price for children (ages 6-11) and persons with disabilities is $0.50. Riders using passes do not need transfers.
There are select points in the system where riders may transfer for no additional cost. Cash-paying riders may request a continuation transfer or "CT" when paying their fare. CTs are available for the following connections and are valid for one hour:
| Issued On |
Accepted On |
| 20-21-22-24 outbound to riders boarding on West Carson St. opposite Tabor St. |
20-21-22-24 on West Carson St. between Tabor St. and Corliss Tunnel |
| 20-21-22-24-26-27-29-31-G2-G3-G31 outbound opposite Duquesne Incline |
Duquesne Incline |
| Duquesne Incline |
20-21-22-24-26-27-29-31-G2-G3-G31 inbound at Duquesne Incline |
| 39-40-41-43-44-48-51-51L-Y1-Y45-Y46-Y47-Y49 and all T lines outbound at Station Square |
Monongahela Incline |
| Monongahela Incline |
39-40-41-43-44-48-51-51L-Y1-Y45-Y46-Y47-Y49 and all T lines inbound at Station Square |
| 40 Mt. Washington inbound or outbound |
Monongahela Incline |
| Monongahela Incline |
40 Mt. Washington inbound or outbound |
| 40 Mt. Washington inbound or outbound |
Duquesne Incline |
| Duquesne Incline |
40 Mt. Washington inbound or outbound |
| Red Line outbound at Overbrook Junction |
Blue Line outbound from Willow Station |
| Blue Line inbound from stops south of Willow |
Red Line inbound at Overbrook Junction |
**Light Rail Surcharge
T riders pay a surcharge on cash fares on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on inbound trips and 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on outbound trips. The cash surcharge for riders in any zone is $0.75 for adults and $0.35 for children (ages 6-11) and persons with disabilities. For example, a trip on the Red Line within Zone 1 at 5 p.m. would cost $3.25, which includes the $2.50 one-zone fare plus the 75-cent surcharge. Riders paying with any method other than cash (including passes, tickets, transfers, senior/student IDs or ConnectCard) do not have to pay the surcharge.
Inclines
Riders on the Monongahela and Duquesne Heights inclines may pay with cash or use passes, tickets or transfers. Tokens no longer are used.
Fares for Children
- Children age 5 and under may ride for free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger. A maximum of four children may ride for free with one fare-paying passenger.
- Children ages 6 through 11 pay a half fare.
- Children and teens age 12 and older pay an adult fare.
Fares for Seniors
Senior citizens age 65 or over who present a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Senior Citizen ID Card or a Medicare card at the time of fare payment are entitled to ride free on the bus, T or Mon Incline at all times thanks to a special program funded by Pennsylvania Lottery proceeds. Learn more.
Fares for Persons with Disabilities
Individuals with disabilities presenting a disabled or handicapped person's Medicare card or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Reduced Transit Fare card at the time of fare payment are entitled to ride for half fare at most times. Learn more.
Passes and Tickets
Passes and tickets may be purchased at the Downtown Service Center, 534 Smithfield Street or from a local sales outlet. 
Most passes and tickets (with the exception of weekly passes) can also be purchased online.
| |
Weekly*
|
Monthly**
|
Annual***
|
|
1 Zone
|
$25.00
|
$97.50
|
$1072.50
|
|
2 Zones
|
$37.50
|
$146.25
|
$1,608.75
|
Passes provide unlimited rides within a certain calendar period.
*Weekly passes are valid for a calendar week, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Sunday through the following Saturday's end of service.
**Monthly passes are valid for a calendar month.
***Annual passes are priced at 11 times the monthly zone pass price and provide customers with the equivalent of one free month of travel.
|
Ten-Trip Ticket Books
|
| |
Full Fare |
Half Fare: Children Ages 6-11 and
Persons with Disabilities
|
1 Zone
|
$25.00 |
$12.50 |
2 Zones
|
$37.50 |
$18.50 |
A ten-trip ticket book provides tickets that may be used to pay for ten individual rides.
ACCESS Fares
ACCESS is shared ride door-to-door transit, serving primarily senior citizens and persons with disabilities. This service is available by advance reservation and offers transit throughout Port Authority's service area.
Fares vary according to eligibility and distance traveled. For more information, call ACCESS at 412-562-5353.