Starting July 1, you’ll pay more to ride on SEPTA
PHILADELPHIA >> You’re going to have a dig a little deeper to ride SEPTA.
The SEPTA board Thursday approved a $1.45 billion operating budget that includes fare hikes for nearly all modes of public transit, regardless of how you pay.
The base cash fare of $2.25 will go up to $2.50
The $1.45 billion operating budget represents an increase of approximately 2.8 percent over Fiscal Year 2017, driven mainly by anticipated increases in costs for labor, fuel, parts and services, the transit giant said. The spending plan allows SEPTA to continue its string of having a balanced operating budget for 17 consecutive years, and that is expected to continue through FY 2018. But it comes with a cost - increased costs for riders.
Under the $727.2 million Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Budget, SEPTA also will advance initiatives to renew critical infrastructure, replace aging portions of its fleet, expand capacity for growing ridership and make technology improvements. The FY 2018 plan also includes the implementation of new technologies for customers, such as realtime travel alerts.
The FY 2018 Capital Budget, and 12-Year Capital Program, advances SEPTA’s “Rebuilding the System” initiative, a comprehensive program to reinvest in the transit network throughout the region. The Authority embarked on this plan following the November 2013 passage.
Here’s a look at the proposed fare hikes, which will go into effect with the start of the fiscal year July 1.
Here is a summary of changes to some of the most widely used fare payment methods. The full fare increase proposal and public hearing schedule can be seen on the SEPTA website at www.septa.org/ notice/fare-change-hearing.html.
• Cash Increase $2.50
• Tokens/discounted single ride with Key: From $1.80 to $2
• Transit would remain at $1
• Disabled Fare: From $1 to $1.25
• Paratransit/Shared Fare/Quick Trip: from $2.25 to Transfers unchanged Ride: $4 to $4.25
• Weekly TransPass: From $24 to $25.50 (up to 56 trips for one customer)
• Monthly TransPass: From $91 to $96 (up to 240 trips for one customer)
• Weekly TrailPasses: Currently $27.25-$53, depending on zone; proposed increase to $28.25-$55.75 (up to 56 trips for one customer)
• Monthly TrailPasses: Currently $101-$191, depending on zone; proposed increase to $105-$204 (up to 240 trips for one customer)
• Convenience From $8 to $9
• Independence Pass: Individual - $12 to $13; Family - $29 to $30
• Ten Trip Discounted Fares for Regional Rail: Currently $38-80 depending on zone; proposed increase to $40-$82.50. (Please note: Ten-Trip Tickets will be replaced upon implementation of the SEPTA Key)
• Parking: Regional Rail surface lot daily parking fee would increase from $1 to $1.25 with implementation of the SEPTA Key. Surface lot monthly permits would increase from $20 to $25.
SEPTA hiked fares in 200, 2010 and 2013. An increase slated for 2016 was postponed to allow time for the initial rollout of their new smart card pay system Pass: SEPTA Key.
“In keeping with the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission, SEPTA has adopted a policy of making periodic fare adjustments, with increases in 2007, 2010 and 2013,” SEPTA stated in a press release. “This proposal represents the next regularly scheduled fare increase – the 2016 increase was postponed to allow time for the initial rollout of the SEPTA Key.
SEPTA held a series of public hearings regarding the proposed fare increase starting April 19. Two hearing sessions will be held in each of the five counties that make up SEPTA’s service region. Customers, residents, stakeholders and other members of the public are encouraged to attend, ask questions and submit comments.