Allegheny County will extend its pilot program of fare breaks for low-income Pittsburgh Regional Transit riders, but the fares will be half price rather than free initially.
Outgoing Allegheny Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced Thursday the yearlong trial program for riders who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was a success, leading to people taking more rides for fresh food, medical appointments and other important trips that they might have avoided before due to the cost. The county intends to continue the program with half fares provided initially and a goal of providing full fares in the future.
“We know that transportation is one of the biggest needs for those in our community seeking to take advantage of employment opportunities or accessing services,” Fitzgerald said in a news release. “Through this pilot, we are able to see the impact that discounted public transportation fares have on these individuals and families and, just as importantly, can see the importance of meeting resident needs in this way.”
One big difference is that the permanent program will have to be approved by PRT’s board of directors in the first quarter of the new year. Neither the county nor PRT could provide details on why that is required.
“We’re glad to hear the pilot was productive and verified the need for this program,” PRT spokesman Adam Brandolph said. “We’re excited to be a part of it. The details will be worked out over the next few weeks.”
Incoming County Executive Sara Innamorato, who takes office Jan. 2, has generally been supportive of free fares for low-income riders.
“County Executive-elect Innamorato supports the extension of this program and understands the county is doing the best it can with the available resources at the current level,” Abigal Gardner, her spokeswoman, said in an email. “Her goal will be to shift to a free-fare model.”
Initially, SNAP recipients who have been getting free rides may have to pay half fares, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise, said Mark Bertolet, spokesman for the Department of Human Services.
“We have been regularly corresponding with everyone in the pilot, so they are aware of the status,” he said in an email. “We are committed to continuing to offer discounted fares to participants until they are transferred into the regular program.”
For several years, advocacy group Pittsburghers for Public Transit has been pushing for free fares for low-income riders. Those riders often pay higher fares because they pay cash and pay twice if they transfer.
“We are eager to move expeditiously in the new year towards a zero-fare program for all SNAP households,” Executive Director Laura Wiens said in an email. “Providing that level of benefit, funded by DHS, has proved overwhelmingly beneficial — for riders, DHS, PRT and our region as a whole.”
In a news release, DHS said 9,552 adult SNAP recipients, plus nearly 5,000 of their family members, participated in the pilot program. They were divided into three categories: no discount, 50% discount and free rides.
Those with free or reduced fares received transit passes from the agency. Analysis of their usage found that riders at 50% rode transit four times more often than full-pay riders and those who rode for free used transit twice as often as those at the reduced rate.
“We are excited for the opportunity to move forward beyond a pilot to a sustainable program that will give over 100,000 people a reduced fare option for transportation and look forward to continued work with PRT to assess and enhance this program,” DHS Director Erin Dalton said in a news release.
The program will be open to as many as 134,000 residents age 6 to 64 who receive SNAP benefits. More than 80,000 of those residents live within walking distance of PRT stations and bus stops.
The program is expected to cost DHS $1.5 million to $2 million a year depending on how many people participate.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.