PA: Pittsburgh-Area Riders Penalized for Paying Cash Fares on Public Transit

March 19, 2018
Many riders on this route, which serves some the region’s most impoverished communities, carry grocery bags from shopping trips.

The 59 Mon Valley bus winds its way on a Sunday through nearly a dozen Mon Valley municipalities, on an hours-long and twisting route through West Mifflin, Dravosburg, McKeesport, Duquesne, Homestead, Rankin and other boroughs, stopping at grocery stores, public housing complexes and two Walmarts.

Many riders on this route, which serves some the region’s most impoverished communities, carry grocery bags from shopping trips.

On a recent Sunday, many also pay their bus fares in cash, rather than using a ConnectCard, the plastic “smart” card Port Authority riders can use.

Read the full article at http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/03/19/poverty-pittsburgh-cash-fare-port-authority-connectcards-public-transit/stories/201803180010