Pittsburgh Regional Transit riders can soon expect information directing them to transition to the transportation agency’s new fare card.
PRT has opened applications for riders to receive new ReadyFare cards, as the agency’s old ConnectCards will be phased out for some riders by fall.
“If you’re a current ConnectCard user, we’ll be reaching out with a postcard in the mail late next week,” said Eddie Phillipps, a PRT spokesman, on Wednesday. “If we have an email address on file for the riders, we’ll also be sending out an email blast as well.”
The transportation service’s ReadyFare cards are being rolled out in phases. Full fare or discounted fare ConnectCards riders will be able to use their old cards until October, while senior ConnectCard riders will be able to keep using them until spring 2027.
Phillipps said the extended timeline gives PRT time to hold events to help senior citizens make the switch.
“Customers or riders will be able to easily move funds, like their stored cash value, to the new ReadyFare account,” Phillipps said.
Instructions on how to transfer funds will be included in the mailed forms.
In the meantime, ConnectCards will continue to be valid and PRT continues to support their use.
On Saturday at 8 p.m., all of PRT’s ConnectCard-related systems will be temporarily unavailable while software upgrades are completed.During that time, customers will be unable to use ConnectCard services, including ticket vending machines, the ConnectCard website and external systems used to view or update ConnectCard account information.
The updates are expected to be completed prior to the start of transportation services on Sunday, a news release said.
PRT has 33,000 registered full fare and 7,000 reduced fare ConnectCard customers, Phillipps said.
The new ReadyFare cards will connect directly to the Ready2Ride app, a mobile ticketing system, which was heavily utilized during the April 2026 NFL Draft for transit access.
“We can send you a new card in the mail, I would say, to utilize that effort, because after Sept. 1, it could cost $1 to get a card at the vending machines,” Phillipps said.
