SEPTA fare hikes go into effect Saturday
PHILADELPHIA » You’re going to have a dig a little deeper to ride SEPTA starting Saturday. The fare hikes approved by the SEPTA board in May as part of a $1.45 billion operating budget take effect July 1.
Electronic card or token single ride fares will increase from $1.80 to $2; cash fares will increase from $2.25 a ride to $2.50; and weekly TransPass fares will increase from $24 to $25.50.
The fare changes, which were approved following a series of 10 public hearings throughout the Authority’s service region, include increases across all modes of travel and all methods of payment. 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, 2013 and this year.
Fare revenues help fund SEPTA’s Operating Budget, which provides for the everyday expenses of running the system, such as labor, fuel and power. The upcoming fare increase was planned for 2016, but was postponed one year to allow time for the initial rollout of the SEPTA Key. The full details of the fare increase are posted online at http://www.septa.org/ fares/new/index.html.
SEPTA says the hike will help fund everyday expenses like labor, fuel and power.
The fare increase was initially planned for 2016 but was delayed to roll out the new electronic fare card system.
Here’s a look at the proposed fare hikes going into into effect with the start of the fiscal year July 1:
• Cash Fare/Quick Trip: Increase from $2.25 to $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 Ride: $4 to $4.25
• Weekly TransPass: Transfers unchanged 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 Pass:
• 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)
The fare changes build on efforts implemented with the 2013 increase to simplify the fare structure for customers as they switch to the SEPTA Key. For example, the new structure removes “premium fares” on the Norristown High Speed Line and bus routes 123, 124, 125 and 150 - making these permanent standard-fare rides.