University Times

No new long-term ridership agreement has been reached between the University and Port Authority of Allegheny County, although talks are continuing.

John Fedele, Pitt’s senior associate director of News, said a new two-month extension to the five-year deal that expired July 31 will allow Pittsburgh campus Pitt ID holders to ride Port Authority vehicles using their Pitt ID through Nov. 30.

Port Authority spokesperson Jim Ritchie confirmed that the latest extension will maintain the status quo for Pitt ID holders and that negotiations are ongoing.

The fare-free ride program, in place since 1997, cost the University $6.8 million in fiscal year 2012. The program is paid for in part by a $90 per term Pittsburgh campus student security, safety and transportation fee. The rest comes from the Office of Parking, Transportation and Services’ auxiliary operations budget.

Previously, Pitt’s payments were based on ridership figures recorded manually by Port Authority drivers. A smart card system that was touted as a more accurate means of tallying rides and verifying valid Pitt IDs was implemented April 1. No ridership figures have been released and neither side is discussing negotiations in detail.

—Kimberly K. Barlow