Get Started: How to Use ConnectCard

1. Get Your Card

Port Authority's Downtown Service Center, many Giant Eagle locations and other retail outlets are now selling ConnectCards with weekly and monthly passes and stored cash value. Learn more about the benefits of ConnectCard.

Visit one of these locations to get a card:

• Port Authority Service Center at 534 Smithfield Street, Downtown Pittsburgh. Open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Giant Eagle locations in the greater Allegheny County area. View our locations page for complete details.
• Numerous other independent retailers are joining the ConnectCard family. View our locations page for more information.

ConnecTix, non-reloadable paper smart cards, are available with single-trip tickets, weekly passes or 10-trip passes from any ConnectCard machine.

Reduced-fare ConnectCards and ConnectCards with annual passes are available at the Downtown Service Center only.

2. Protect Your Balance

Call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007) to register your ConnectCard. This will enable you to protect your balance or pass in the event your card is lost or stolen. Learn more.

Please note that your ConnectCard is automatically registered for balance protection when you link your card to an existing online account. Balance protection is not available for ConnecTix.

3. Tap Your Card

Now you're ready to use your ConnectCard to pay for rides on the bus, T or incline.

Instead of showing your pass to the vehicle operator or fare collector, simply tap your ConnectCard on the orange target on the farebox or validator. You'll hear a beep indicating that your card has been accepted, and the screen will display your pass type and expiration date or your stored cash value balance.

4. Reload Your Card

When your pass is about to expire or you need more money on your card, visit one of our ConnectCard locations to reload or use the ConnectCard Online Management system. Your plastic ConnectCard can hold both a current pass and a pending pass at the same time as well as a maximum of $200 in stored cash value. ConnecTix are intended for temporary use and cannot be reloaded.

You can reload your card online, at the Service Center, at many local retailers or at a ConnectCard machine. Check out our map to see the latest ConnectCard service locations. We're adding more all time! 

Here's how to use a ConnectCard machine to reload passes:

How to add stored cash value to your ConnectCard:

5. Got Questions?

We've got answers. See our Frequently Asked Questions or contact Customer Service at 412-442-2000 (TTY 412-231-7007) if you need more help with ConnectCard.