Easing the cost of travel for families, the inclusion of one free transfer and a new three-day pass are some of the changes the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has introduced in its Fare Restructuring Plan. The authority also notes service levels would remain at their current levels and there would not be a change to the base cash fare or the discounted rate for riders with disabilities.
The fare restructuring proposal is a practice SEPTA takes on every three years following the recommendation of the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission.
Highlights of the plan include:
- A $1 increase for weekly TransPasses for travel on buses, subways and trolleys.
- An average increase of six percent for weekly and monthly TrailPasses on Regional Rail.
- Cash fare for transit will remain $2.50.
- The base Travel Wallet Fare on Key card increases from $2 to $2.50 with SEPTA offering customers one free transfer, additional transfers will be $1.
- Currently, a SEPTA Key Travel Wallet customer who transfers pays $3 ($2 base fare, $1 transfer fee). Under this proposal, a base fare and a transfer will cost that same customer $2.50, or a 16.6 percent savings.
- Introduction of a new three-day Convenience Pass for $18, which is good for 72-hours after initial tap
- Fares for up to three children between the ages of 5 and 11 traveling with a fare-paying adult on all SEPTA services (Transit and Regional Rail) will be $1. This represents a 60 percent savings on Transit and between 43 and 78 percent on Regional Rail, depending on zone of travel. Up to three children under the age of 5 traveling with a fare-paying adult will continue to ride for free on all SEPTA services.
- The Disabled Fare with a SEPTA Key Card remains unchanged at $1.25, and will include one free transfer.
- Currently, disabled customers pay 50 cents for a transfer, so their total fare for a trip that includes one transfer would be reduced from $1.75 currently to $1.25.
- Fares for CCT Paratransit/Shared Ride remain unchanged at $4.25
SEPTA says it has made an effort to keep these proposed increases, which if approved would go into effect on July 1, within the range of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In addition, SEPTA says this overall Fare Restructuring Plan is designed to better serve the needs of low-income communities and promote efficient travel across all SEPTA modes, system-wide.
An analysis of the proposal by Econsult Solutions Inc. showed that fares as a share of daily income will fall in low-income communities across Philadelphia, as well as in areas with high concentrations of minority residents, residents with long commutes and residents with children. The review also found that by shifting from the current one-seat commute, customers can transfer and cut their travel time and lower their cost. The proposed Fare Restructuring Plan is meant to improve the affordability and efficiency of SEPTA service, and put the Authority in a position to grow ridership.
The full Fare Restructuring Plan will be posted on https://www.septa.org March 20, which is the start of a public comment period that will continue through a series of 10 public hearings that begin on April 20. Below is a summary of proposed changes to some of the most widely used fare payment methods:
This change will allow riders to use the SEPTA system as a true network - encouraging those who currently stay on a bus longer to avoid paying a transfer fee to use connections that will speed-up their trips.
This change will unlock even greater value after the bus network redesign, which will improve bus service to neighborhoods throughout the region.
SEPTA General Manager Leslie S. Richards noted the role that feedback from customers, transit advocates, elected officials and other stakeholders has had in shaping the proposed Fare Restructuring Plan.
"The Fare Restructuring Plan represents a significant step forward in our effort to improve equity, affordability and ease-of-travel for our customers. It also ensures that SEPTA will be able to raise the revenue necessary to maintain current service levels across the system," Richards said. "I look forward to a productive public dialogue about this proposal as we move forward."
Source: SEPTA
