Service Alerts
On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the BCTA Board of Directors approved the transition of the Fast Forward Summer Pass to the BCTA Student Pass. This change will affect several aspects of the program, allowing those ages 6-21 to enjoy the benefits of public transit with reduced fares all year.
Since 2023, the BCTA Fast Forward Summer Pass provided free fares for riders ages 6-21 from June 1-August 31 of every year. Additionally, individuals would apply each May for the upcoming Summer.
Applications can be submitted online by clicking the button below or in person at the Rochester Transportation Center. Additionally, online applicants have the option to submit proof of age online or present it in person. Proof of age is required to process any application. Eligible forms of proof include:
For applicants younger than 18, parent or guardian signature is required to submit the application.
To begin the eligibility process, the rider should fill out a Reduced Transit Fare application at the Rochester Transportation Center or download the application from the link at the bottom of this section. Disabled individuals who can ride transit independently at half-fare will receive a Reduced Transit Fare Identification Card. To receive this card, the individual’s disability must be certified by a doctor or by an administrator of an authorized social service agency (unless the individual has a Red White and Blue Medicare Card). The certifying doctor should be the disabled individuals personal or family physician. Social service agencies which may be authorized to certify applicants under this program are:
Please note that any agency that has physicians on staff (i.e. psychiatrist or any other type of medical doctor) or has a physician they use for their agency can have that physician certify half fare applications for clients. Certification from a counselor or minister at an organization is not acceptable, unless that person is a physician.
According to PENNDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration, the following exceptions apply:
To register, a customer must present proof of age and fill out a brief application at the Rochester Transportation center. A Customer Service Specialist will assist these riders with the application should they need it.
Once eligibility is established, the customer receives a Free Senior Transit Identification card. Each time the senior citizen wishes to ride with BCTA, they must display their free Senior Identification ID Card to the driver upon boarding the bus. Additionally, this card can be used to receive reduced fare transportation on BCTA’s Shared (DART) system and is valid on all transit systems in Pennsylvania. The Free Senior Citizen Transit Card is honored by all Pennsylvania transit providers and can be used while traveling in Pittsburgh or anywhere in Pennsylvania. Restrictions apply for private transportation options such as Greyhound, Amtrak, etc.
In lieu of a free senior transit identification card, BCTA also accepts a government issued proof of age documents showing date of birth (driver license, identification card, or passport) to establish eligibility for free travel,. These documents must be presented to the driver as you board. However, we do highly recommend registering for the Senior Card as it requires additional time from the driver to review these documents when the rider is boarding. Additionally, these documents may not apply outside of Beaver County, so please check with the transit systems you plan to ride with before embarking on your trip.
Senior riders that do not present their Senior Transit Identification Card or a government issued proof of age document upon boarding the vehicle may be required to pay the full fare.
Should you lose your pass, please contact the Rochester Customer Service Desk at 724-728-8600. We will be able to tell you if your pass was found on a vehicle or on BCTA property. If the pass has not been turned in to Lost & Found, we will provide a duplicate Senior Transit ID. Photo ID is required for any replacement to be issued.
We encourage the use of transit by families with younger children.
Up to 2 children ages 5 and under who are riding with a fare-paying passenger ride free. (Examples of fare-paying passengers: passengers who pay their fares with 10+1 ticket, 7-day pass, 31-day pass, single value ticket, cash. This includes reduced fare card holders.)
Up to 2 children ages 5 and under who are riding with a non-fare-paying passenger ride at half fare. (Examples of non-fare-paying passengers: passengers who ride free via a senior card or other free passes).
Children ages 6 to 11 who are riding with a fare-paying passenger or with a non-fare riding passenger ride at half of the normal fare, rounded to the lower nickel. In other words, an in-country trip that would normally cost $2.00 costs only $1.00!. (Examples of fare-paying passengers: passengers who pay their fare with an Unlimited Daily Pass, Unlimited Weekly Pass, single value ticket, or cash, this includes reduced fare cardholders. Examples of non-fare-paying passengers: passengers who ride free via a senior card or other free passes.)
This offer is in effect all day, every day, and no application process is necessary to receive the discount. However, you must notify the driver as you board the vehicle.
You can SAVE MORE with BCTA Mobile Ticketing!
Receive discounted Unlimited Daily and Weekly Passes by downloading and purchasing tickets in the BCTA Mobile Ticket app today!
Fare Cards, tickets, passes and transfers are non-refundable. Additionally, BCTA will not refund, replace or exchange any type of Fare Media.
Passengers are responsible for all fare cards, tickets, passes and transfers. It is important to keep cards in good condition. If the fare card is unable to be read by the fare box, the passenger is responsible to pay the correct fares using another form of payment; either another fare card or cash.
BCTA has Free Fare Zones!! Passengers can ride a bus for free in specified zones for Route 1 and Route 2.
With Express Transfers, a rider will pay no additional fare for trips within Beaver County. As a convenience to customers that must transfer between a local and express route, BCTA offers a modified type of transfer.
Fare cards are offered as a convenience item for customers who cannot or choose not to carry cash. These are sold with no discount directly by BCTA and selected remote ticket outlets. Customer can purchase as many as they need individually or purchase a book of 10 tickets. Fare cards are available in multiple values. These can be mixed and matched according to customer needs to pay any full or reduced fare value in the BCTA fixed route system.
