Port Authority of Allegheny County launches Ready2Ride pilot program

The first phase of mobile ticketing pilot program has begun on the Port Authority of Allegheny County following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Port Authority, in partnership with Transit and Masabi, launched the Ready2Ride™ program that will allow riders to buy tickets and passes anytime, anywhere, using either the new Ready2Ride™ app or the Transit app. Port Authority serves more than 60 million rides a year across bus, light rail, incline and paratransit services. A network-wide deployment of Ready2Ride™ will follow later in 2021.

As part of the project, more than 600 Masabi-built validation devices have been installed across the Port Authority’s bus network, with light rail to follow. Passengers will tap their phone on these validators when boarding, which will scan their dynamic and encrypted mobile passes and identify the ticket as valid for use. The validation units will help speed up boarding times, making riding Port Authority services faster and safer with the addition of contactless fare payment and validation. The Justride Validation units are powered by Masabi’s Justride Inspect software and can also read NFC and contactless EMV (cEMV) technology, giving Port Authority the flexibility to turn on account-based ticketing and other account-based tokens.

“This is really exciting for us. This system has been a long time coming, and it marks a big step toward modernizing our city’s transit system,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “We had originally planned to deliver Ready2Ride™ in 2020 but, with the onset of the COVID pandemic, we were delayed. Now more than ever, riders need a secure, contactless method of payment and the assurance that they are riding in a COVID-safe environment, making this a very timely rollout.”

“Port Authority passengers already rely on Transit to plan their next trip and track their ride in real time. Adding the ability to buy transit fares gives riders everything they need in one app,” said David Block-Schachter, chief business officer at Transit. “Mobile ticketing makes boarding smoother and reduces close physical contact, helping everyone stay a little bit safer.” 

“At Masabi, our work is focused on making journeys easier and more convenient for riders across transit systems, linking them quickly and safely with the best forms of transit to complete their journeys,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO at Masabi. “We are delighted to get this pilot underway ahead of full rollout later in 2021, offering transit riders across the city of Pittsburgh a safe and modern alternative to queues, cash and paper tickets.”