Pittsburgh’s Port Authority is running a pilot program through August to test a new way to collect fares on its buses and T cars: smart cards. Riders can use these cards in place of cash when boarding, almost like an ATM or debit card. The fare boxes, provided by Scheidt & Bachmann USA Inc., will then deduct the appropriate amount from each card’s account, which riders can reload at their convenience.
The new technology will also be an improvement for those who would still like to pay with cash. Unlike before, the boxes will actually count and confirm the amount put into them.