The Port Authority of Allegheny County is set to raise its base fare 25 cents, from $1.75 to $2, starting Jan. 1.
This morning the transit agency's nine-member board proposed maintaining its zone-based fare system, with incremental fare increases in each zone. A final approval is expected at its monthly meeting Wednesday.
Riders have paid based on zones, which are distance based. Zone 1 largely encompasses the city and Zone 2 includes much of the surrounding suburbs. A single Zone 2 ride is set to increase 35 cents, from $2.25 to $2.60.
The Zone 3 fare is set to increase 50 cents to $3.25.
Riders have appeared more concerned about preserving service, which was cut by 15 percent earlier this year, than paying higher fares.
"I think people were more concerned if they had a bus than if it cost a few shekels more," said John Tague, former president of the Allegheny County Transit Council, a riders group. "I'm not saying it won't have an impact on people. It will."
The increase is not a surprise as the agency approved it in March but did not specify an amount. It discussed earlier this year either increasing the zone fare by 75 cents or adopting a flat $2 fare.
The board also approved a 15 percent cut in bus and T service in March that cut 7,574 weekly trips out of its system. The transit agency provides about 230,000 daily rides for county residents and in portions of neighboring counties.
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