Port Authority of Allegheny moving forward with mobile ticketing app

Port Authority of Allegheny County's Technology Committee registered its approval May 29 of a contract to launch an enhanced fare system, including a mobile ticketing application, which would allow customers to pay their fares from their smartphones. The contract with Masabi LLC was approved by the full Port Authority Board May 31, 2019.

The application would allow customers to purchase a single-use ticket or a daily, weekly, monthly or annual pass using a credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay directly from their smartphone and then immediately use that product to pay for their ride. If approved by the full Board, Port Authority plans to launch the application in early 2020.

"This is a step toward making public transit in Allegheny County easier to use and more convenient," said Jennifer Liptak, Technology Committee chair and vice chair of Port Authority's Board. "More and more of our customers use smartphones when they ride with us, and being able to buy tickets on those devices will make riding public transit that much easier."

The system would allow customers to print their ticket at home or visit a retail location that could print a ticket for customers without smartphones or bank accounts. Port Authority will partner would third-party retailers to enable that functionality.

"Paying for transit should be simple, convenient and equitable," Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman said. "This system gives our customers yet another option to help make their riding experience even easier."

At the outset, the system will be based on today's fare structure, but has the flexibility to accommodate new products and policies.

Port Authority received 11 proposals seeking a mobile ticketing vendor in November 2018. Six companies were interviewed and Masabi’s proposal was the highest rated.

Masabi has implemented mobile ticketing programs in more than 50 locations, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Denver, London and Madrid.