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ConnectCard™ Terms and Conditions

The ConnectCard is Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s electronic fare media for use at bus fareboxes, light rail vehicle fareboxes, light rail station entrances, the Monongahela Incline and eventually other ancillary services and uses on PRT’s public transit system and the systems of participating regional public transit agencies. It utilizes smart card technology to load, store and use all types of PRT (and other participating regional transit agencies’) fare products including full fare (weekly, monthly, annual and stored value) and half fare (10-trip and stored value) products. The ConnectCard replaces flash-pass based fare products such as monthly flash passes and trip tickets.

The Terms and Conditions constitute your ConnectCard Agreement and shall apply to all activity with respect to the use of the ConnectCard.

Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully and keep a copy for your records. These terms and conditions may be updated by PRT at any time and for any reason, without notice, so it is important that you check these Terms and Conditions regularly for changes.

Balance Protection and Replacement

Proper registration and activation of your ConnectCard entitles you to Balance Protection. With Balance Protection, the value on your card will be transferred to a replacement card at the time PRT (or other participating regional transit agency) is properly notified by you that your card is lost or stolen. PRT reserves the right to charge a non-refundable replacement fee for the replacement of a ConnectCard. If you have not registered your ConnectCard for Balance Protection, the value remaining on the lost/stolen/damaged card will not be available for transfer to a replacement card if lost or stolen. Any replacement fee for a new ConnectCard that PRT may charge will apply to both registered and nonregistered ConnectCards.

Effective January 1, 2017, PRT will charge a $1.00 fee for both new and replacement ConnectCards.  This fee may be subject to further adjustment in the future, at PRT’s sole discretion and upon providing reasonable notice to the public of any further planned adjustments in this fee.

Information required for ConnectCard registration includes your full legal name, street address and phone number, as well as providing answers to security questions that will enable verification of your identity. To register your card to receive Balance Protection, you must provide PRT with this information to validate identity and to replace value if your card is lost, stolen, damaged, malfunctions or is otherwise defective. You must inform PRT of any changes to required information in order to maintain the privileges of Balance Protection.

If your ConnectCard is lost or stolen, you must notify PRT immediately by calling PRT’s Customer Service Line at 412- 442-2000. The Customer Service Department operates Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The TTY phone number for hearing-impaired and speech-impaired customers is 412-231-7007. You may also visit PRT’s Downtown Service Center currently located at 623 Smithfield Street, Downtown Pittsburgh. The Downtown Service Center is open to the public Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  At the time of reporting a ConnectCard lost or stolen, you may also request that a replacement ConnectCard be provided to you for pick-up at the Downtown Service Center. The remaining balance on the lost, stolen, damaged, malfunctioning or defective ConnectCard will be transferred to a replacement ConnectCard by Downtown Service Center personnel.

Once you notify PRT that your ConnectCard is lost, stolen, damaged, malfunctioning or defective, your ConnectCard will be deactivated and it will no longer be accepted in PRT’s fare collection system. Once your ConnectCard is deactivated, it may not be reactivated or used again; you will need to obtain a replacement ConnectCard and have the remaining balance or fare products from that card transferred to a replacement card by PRT. You will be financially responsible for any rides taken or stored value depleted through the use of your lost or stolen ConnectCard until you properly notify PRT (including a three day period post-reporting for completion of pending transactions at the time of reporting) that your ConnectCard is lost, stolen or damaged. You will not be financially responsible for unauthorized use of your lost or stolen ConnectCard following the three day waiting/processing period after you properly report your card missing. Damaged, malfunctioning or otherwise defective cards should be returned to PRT. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Customers should not delete blocked, lost or stolen ConnectCards from their web accounts until:

1. The customer calls the Customer Service Department to block their card; 

2. A replacement card is issued by the Customer Service Center; 

3. The customer linked their new card to their web account. 

4. The final stored value balance has been transferred to the new card.

Deleting a ConnectCard from a customer’s account before the above steps are completed could result in the customer’s loss of remaining stored value on the lost or stolen ConnectCard because deletion before these steps are taken removes PRT’s ability to look up the lost or stolen card number to verify the remaining stored value eligible for transfer.

ConnectCard Cost

Initially, ConnectCard will be free with the purchase and loading of a fare product or stored value onto a ConnectCard. However, PRT reserves the right to charge a fee for a ConnectCard at its sole discretion and upon providing reasonable notice to the public of its intention to do so.

Effective January 1, 2017, PRT will charge a $1.00 fee for both new and replacement ConnectCards. This fee may be subject to further adjustment in the future, at PRT’s sole discretion and upon providing reasonable notice to the public of any further planned adjustments in this fee.  

Fare Products Available to a ConnectCard Customer

Any standard PRT fare product that was available under the old “flash pass” system is now available to load onto a ConnectCard including:

1. Stored Value: Load a cash value onto a ConnectCard, as the equivalent to the flash pass based paper ten-trip ticket books. The card functions similar to a debit card. Applicable fares or fees are deducted each time you present the card for use at fare collection points and eventually other ancillary services and uses on PRT’s public transit system and the systems of participating regional public transit agencies. The maximum cash balance that can be stored on a ConnectCard is $200.00.  Stored Value can be used to pay PRT bus, light rail and incline fares; stored value on a ConnectCard can now also be utilized to pay fares and take rides on participating regional transit agency partner systems. Value placed on a ConnectCard is not redeemable for cash.  Stored value goes dormant on a ConnectCard after two (2) years of inactivity; however, a ConnectCard can be reactivated at any time by visiting PRT’s Downtown Service Center.

2. Period-Based Passes: You may load a calendar weekly, monthly or annual pass product on the ConnectCard. These Period-Based Passes allow for unlimited rides for the time period selected and purchased.

3. Transfers: If you choose to pay your fare with stored value, you will be entitled to a bus- to-bus, bus-to-rail, rail-to-bus, bus-to-Mon Incline and rail-to-Mon Incline (and vice versa) transfer valid for three (3) hours from the time that the first fare is paid for the then applicable transfer fee set by PRT. The transfer will be electronically encoded onto your ConnectCard. You will not be issued a separate paper or magnetic transfer. If you are using a period-based pass, you are entitled to an unlimited number of rides within the validity period; encoded transfers are not necessary as long as the period-based pass is valid. You may load any combination of fare products described above onto a single ConnectCard. For example, you may load $20 in stored value and also load either a weekly or monthly pass onto the same card. At any one time, a ConnectCard may contain stored value, one active period- based fare product and one pending period-based fare product. Upon presentation at a fare collection point, the system will check for and process the active period-based fare product first. If there are no active period-based fare products available on a ConnectCard, the system will then deduct the appropriate fare from the stored value balance on the card.

*NOTE: Half-fare ConnectCards are available for eligible individuals.

**NOTE: PRT now has a ConnectCard just for children known as the Kids Reduced Fare ConnectCard or Kids ConnectCard.  The new Kids ConnectCard is for children ages 6-11 and enables them to ride the bus, T or Mon Incline for half fare.  This card may also be loaded with Stored Cash Value (up to $200); a 10-Trip Pass or a weekly or monthly pass at PRT’s applicable Half-Fare rates.  Information for parents and legal guardians on applying for a Kids ConnectCard is available by visiting the Downtown Service Center or calling PRT Customer Service Line at 412- 442-2000.  Kids ConnectCards automatically expire on the child’s 12th birthday, at which time the expired Kids ConnectCard can be exchanged for a full fare ConnectCard with any remaining Stored Value transferred onto the full fare ConectCard at that time.        

*** ADDITIONAL NOTES:  

• ConnectCards are strictly non-transferable.

• ConnectCards remain the property of PRT or the participating regional transit authority that issued the ConnectCard.

• ConnectCards are valid only on vehicles and facilities at PRT or other participating regional transit authorities.

• Value loaded on a ConnectCard is non-refundable.

• Unauthorized use of a ConnectCard, including attempts to produce or utilize a counterfeit card, is punishable by applicable law.  

• Do not bend or punch holes in your ConnectCard.  

Where to Obtain or Reload a ConnectCard

Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs): ConnectCards may be loaded with value or available fare products at TVMs located throughout PRT’s public transit system, including select busway and light rail station locations, as well as a TVM located in PRT’s Downtown Service Center. All fare products, except for annual period-based passes, are available to load on a ConnectCard, including stored value and period-based passes. Effective January 1, 2017, you will also be able to purchase a new ConnectCard out of the TVM.

2. Downtown Service Center: ConnectCards may also be obtained and loaded with value or available fare products at PRT’s Downtown Service Center. The location and hours of operation of the Service Center are noted above.

3. Giant Eagle and Other Retail Outlets: PRT partners with a network of third party retailers that are authorized to distribute and load ConnectCards with value and/or available fare products, including PRT’s primary retail sales partner, Giant Eagle, which operates more than forty (40) ConnectCard retail locations throughout Allegheny County. Additionally, PRT partners with various other non-Giant Eagle retail partners throughout Allegheny County that are also authorized to distribute and load ConnectCards with value and/or available fare products.  In the first quarter of calendar year 2017, PRT also plans to expand ConnectCard retail outlets to include Goodwill locations across Allegheny County.

4. Web Site: You can also load/reload value and/or available fare products onto a ConnectCard online at www.rideprt.org.  Effective January 1, 2017, you will also be able to order new ConnectCards online utilizing a customer web portal.

Using Your ConnectCard

The balance remaining on your card may be checked at any of the TVMs located throughout PRT’s public transit system, at PRT’s Downtown Service Center or at any of the locations of PRT’s retail sales partners.

Values contained on multiple ConnectCards may not be combined to pay a single fare.

Misuse of your ConnectCard, such as inserting it into the fare collection equipment of non-PRT transit partners, inserting it into an ATM or similar devices, and/or punching a hole in or tearing the card may invalidate your card. PRT reserves the right to inspect your ConnectCard any time for damage and abuse. It is your responsibility to maintain your ConnectCard in good, functional condition.

Each individual will be required to have his or her own ConnectCard to enter/exit the system. It is not possible, and is indeed prohibited by PRT, to pass back a card and deduct multiple trips for multiple riders.

Transaction Disputes

We reserve the right to correct the balance of your ConnectCard if we believe that a technical or accounting error has occurred. If you have any disputes or issues with your ConnectCard, please contract PRT’s Customer Service Department or visit the Downtown Service Center. You will be issued a ConnectCard Inquiry Form. Please follow the instructions for completing this form and either submit by mail or in person at PRT’s Downtown Service Center. An investigation will be undertaken and disputes will be resolved within ten (10) business of receipt of completed form, absent extenuating circumstances requiring additional time to resolve a dispute.

Termination of ConnectCard

PRT may terminate use of your ConnectCard for fraud, misuse or violations of any policies or rules for utilizing PRT’s public transit system and services. Upon such termination, PRT may deactivate use of your ConnectCard or request surrender of your card. Privacy Policy Use of the ConnectCard is subject to the terms of our ConnectCard™ Program Privacy Policy Statement, which you are strongly encouraged to read, understand and monitor for updates. For more information about this privacy policy, please refer to our ConnectCard™ Program Privacy Policy Statement on our web site at www.rideprt.org or call PRT Customer Service.

Disclaimer/Indemnification

PRT, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF, OTHER PARTICIPATING REGIONAL TRANSIT AGENCIES AND PRT’S OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND ASSIGNS, EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR CONFORMITY WITH MODELS OR SAMPLES. YOU AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD PORT AUTHORITY HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL DAMAGE, LOSS, COST, EXPENSE OR LIABILITY RELATING TO, ARISING FROM OR AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF YOUR CONNECTCARD.

No Waiver of Sovereign Immunity

Nothing in this Agreement, or PRT’s sale or operation of ConnectCard or related fare media or public transit services, shall be deemed or implied to be a waiver of Port Authority’s sovereign, governmental or other privileges or defenses available to Port Authority at law or equity. Rather, PRT expressly reserves the rights, privileges and immunities afforded to it as a government agency and agency and arm of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania organized and existing pursuant to the Second Class County Port Authority Act, as amended.

Severability

The invalidity of any term or terms of this Agreement shall not affect any other term of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

Modification

PRT reserves its right to change these Terms and Conditions at any time without advance notice. If we decide to change our terms and conditions, we will post the new terms and conditions at our Downtown Service Center and on our web site as soon as possible.

No Representations as to Future Fare Structure or Fees

ConnectCard is a type of fare media and does not entitle the user to a specific fare price or fare program. PRT reserves the right to increase fares and the cost and structure of fare programs and fare media made available to the general public in accordance with applicable law.

Regulations

Use of the ConnectCard is subject to all applicable tariffs, terms, conditions, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Fare Policy/Structure Controls

To the extent these ConnectCard Terms and Conditions are inconsistent with any portion of PRT’s Board-adopted Fare Policy/Fare Structure; the Fare Policy/Structure is deemed controlling and takes precedence over these ConnectCard Terms and Conditions.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Venue shall lie in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Questions about these terms and conditions, our privacy policy, the ConnectCard Program or card registration should be directed to PRT’s Customer Service Department by calling 412-442-2000.

Notice of Effective Date

Effective Date of this version of ConnectCard™ Terms and Conditions: January 1, 2017.

ConnecTix™ Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions constitute the ConnecTix Agreement and apply to all transactions and purchases that utilize ConnecTix.

Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully and print a copy for your records.

Intended Use of ConnecTix

The ConnecTix is a heavy paper stock ticket that utilizes smart card technology to load, store and use certain types of PRT fare products. The ConnecTix will fail with repeated use and normal wear and tear, so care should be taken to store and use it properly. If you are a regular PRT or other participating regional transit agency customer, you are strongly encouraged to obtain a ConnectCard, PRT’s extended use, plastic smart card, to take advantage of a wider selection of Port Authority fare products, including Balance Protection. The limited use ConnecTix functions like cash and does not provide for replacement in the event the card is lost, stolen or damaged.

*NOTE: All ConnecTix are strictly non-transferable.

Fare Products Available to a ConnecTix Customer

ConnecTix can be utilized for ten trip ticket, weekly and single trip fare products.  A ConnecTix loaded with value can be utilized within thirty (30) days of activating the card during first use at a fare collection point.

Effective January 1, 2017, a Day Pass fare product will also be available on ConnecTix.  Day Passes will be valid on all PRT transit vehicles from the time of purchase and activation until the end of the applicable PRT service day the subject Day Pass is purchased on.

If you require multiple fare products, such as period-based passes and stored value, on the same fare media, you must obtain a ConnectCard extended use smart card.

Using your ConnecTix

ConnecTix may be presented at fare collection points and eventually other ancillary services and uses on PRT’s public transit system and the systems of participating regional public transit agencies.

Misuse of your ConnecTix, such as inserting it into the fare collection equipment of non-PRT transit partners, inserting it into an ATM or similar devices and/or punching a hole in or tearing it may invalidate your card. PRT reserves the right to inspect your ConnecTix at any time for damage and abuse. It is your responsibility to maintain your ConnecTix in good, useable condition for the limited period of time it is intended to function. Each individual will be required to have their own ConnecTix to enter/exit the system. It is not possible, and is indeed prohibited by PRT, to pass back a card and deduct multiple trips for multiple riders.

ConnecTix Not Subject to Loss or Damage Replacement

Lost or damaged ConnecTix will not be replaced. Treat the ConnecTix as you would treat cash. If you require Balance Protection, please obtain a ConnectCard and then register for Balance Protection immediately.

Transaction Disputes

If you have any disputes or issues with your ConnecTix, please contact PRT’s Customer Service Department or visit the Downtown Service Center. You will be issued a ConnectCard Inquiry Form. Please follow the instructions for completing this form and either submit by mail or in person at PRT’s Downtown Service Center. An investigation will be undertaken and disputes will be resolved within two (2) weeks of receipt of completed form.

Termination of ConnecTix

PRT may terminate use of your ConnecTix for fraud, misuse or violations of any policies or rules for utilizing PRT’s public transit system and services. Upon such termination, PRT may deactivate use of your ConnecTix or request surrender of your card.

Privacy Policy

Your use of the ConnecTix is subject to the terms of our ConnectCard™ Program Privacy Policy Statement, which you are strongly encouraged to read, understand and monitor for updates. For more information about this privacy policy, please refer to our ConnectCard™ Program Privacy Policy Statement on our web site at www.rideprt.org or call PRT Customer Service at 412-442-2000. The TTY phone number for hearing- and speech-impaired customers is 412-231-7007.

Disclaimer/Indemnification

PRT, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF, OTHER PARTICIPATING REGIONAL TRANSIT AGENCIES AND PORT AUTHORITY’S OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND ASSIGNS, EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR CONFORMITY WITH MODELS OR SAMPLES. YOU AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD PORT AUTHORITY HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL DAMAGE, LOSS, COST, EXPENSE OR LIABILITY RELATING TO, ARISING FROM OR AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF YOUR CONNECTIX.

No Waiver of Sovereign Immunity

Nothing in this Agreement, or PRT’s sale or operation of ConnecTix or related fare media or public transit services, shall be deemed or implied to be a waiver of PRT’s sovereign, governmental or other privileges or defenses available to PRT at law or equity. Rather, PRT expressly reserves the rights, privileges and immunities afforded to it as a government agency and agency and arm of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania organized and existing pursuant to the Second Class County Port Authority Act, as amended.

Severability

The invalidity of any term or terms of this Agreement shall not affect any other term of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

Modification

PRT reserves its right to change these Terms and Conditions at any time without advance notice. If we decide to change our terms and conditions, we will post the updated version at our Downtown Service Center and on our web site as soon as possible.

No Representations as to Future Fare Structure or Fees

ConnecTix is a type of fare media and does not entitle the user to a specific fare price or fare program. PRT reserves the right to increase fares and the cost and structure of fare programs and fare media made available to the general public in accordance with applicable law.

Regulations

Use of a ConnecTix is subject to all applicable tariffs, terms, conditions, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Fare Policy/Structure Controls

To the extent these ConnecTix Terms and Conditions are inconsistent with any portion of PRT’s Board-adopted Fare Policy/Fare Structure, the Fare Policy/Structure is deemed controlling and takes precedence over these ConnecTix Terms and Conditions.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Venue shall lie in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Questions about these terms and conditions, our privacy policy, or the ConnectCard Program should be directed to PRT’s Customer Service Department by calling 412-442-2000.

Notice of Effective Date

Effective Date of this version of ConnecTix™ Terms and Conditions: January 1, 2017.