Port Authority will take a step next week to deal with one of its primary criticisms: the availability of prepaid ConnectCards.

Pittsburghers for Public Transit launched its “Make our Fares Fair” campaign in November to lobby the authority to make cash fares equal to the discounts some riders receive by using prepaid ConnectCards.

Group members say low-income riders are penalized because cash customers pay $2.75 per ride compared to $2.50 for ConnectCard users. But ConnectCards aren’t readily available in their neighborhoods even if they did have the cash to pay ahead for transit service.

But before the improvement that will allow riders to order a ConnectCard online for delivery by regular mail, current users should make sure they have extra money loaded on their card because the reloading system will be shut down temporarily next week.

The authority said Monday the system will be shut down for “a few days” beginning March 6 to allow a software update to the system that serves the Downtown service center on Smithfield Street and 61 charging stations throughout Allegheny County. As a result, riders won’t be able to obtain a ConnectCard or add money to an existing one during the upgrade.

Spokeswoman Melissa Rubin said the agency is encouraging riders to either put a little extra money on their card before the shutdown or carry cash in case their card runs low. Riders will be able to pay the higher cash fare or buy a day pass at charging stations but they won’t be able to add money to their ConnectCard.

When the software update is completed, riders who don’t have access to the Downtown service center or charging terminals can order a ConnectCard online. It will be delivered in a few days by mail.

“Right now, customers have to show up in person to obtain the ConnectCard,” Ms. Rubin said.

The agency also is looking for additional locations for ConnectCard machines.

Spokeswoman Laura Wiens said Pittsburghers for Public Transit has been encouraged by the agency’s response to its efforts at fare equity. She called the upgrade “a good first step in the right direction.”

 “I think we are certainly heartened to hear they are taking this step,” she said Monday. “We commend them for listening to riders’ concerns.”

But she said the agency should be mindful that low-income riders could suffer during next week’s shutdown if they usually add money to their cards a few days at a time because of a cash-flow issue. She also said she has some concerns about the time it takes to deliver cards by mail and the possible lag time between when riders add money to their ConnectCards and when that money is available to be used.

Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1470 or on Twitter @EdBlazina.

First Published: February 25, 2019, 11:57 p.m.