SEPTA K-12 Student Pass Program – Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

Student Fare Compliance

The Student Fare Compliance Initiative is a partnership between SEPTA and the School District of Philadelphia designed to help students travel to and from school safely, responsibly and without cost barriers. Through the Student Fare card program, eligible students receive a SEPTA Student Key card for transport to and from school – at no cost to the student. The initiative emphasizes education and support, giving students and families opportunities to address fare compliance issues before they escalate.

As of spring 2026, SEPTA began fare compliance enforcement, ensuring all riders—including students—follow requirements to pay a fare and tap every time they ride. We encourage families to review program guidelines and help students build consistent, responsible transit habits. See the full Information for Parents, Guardians and Students document.

At a Glance

Eligibility is determined by the School District, not SEPTA. Visit the School District Transportation website to learn more.
Student Fare cards are not prepaid, SEPTA only collects revenue when the card is tapped (on and off for Regional Rail).
You may see posters around your school or community that include information about the Student Fare Compliance Rules (PDF) and your Transportation Liaison Contact Information (PDF).
For use only by the student to which the card is issued.
Valid for travel to and from school only.
Cards are valid for up to eight trips per school day, between 5:30 am and 8 pm.
May be used for all SEPTA transit modes, including Regional Rail.
Cards are tapped at a farebox or turnstile just like regular Key cards.
Cards may be used throughout the school year.
Frequently Asked Questions

For Students in Kindergarten-12th Grade

SEPTA works with the various Southeastern Pennsylvania school districts to help eligible students get transportation. Student fares are available to all school districts within the SEPTA service area.

The school district in which a student resides is responsible for the student’s transportation to and from school, within the guidelines set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Student Fare cards are not prepaid, SEPTA only collects revenue when the card is tapped (on and off for Regional Rail).

Students in grades 7 through 12 who live 1.5 miles or farther from school are generally eligible for free Student Fare cards through their school. Students can talk to the Transportation Liaison at their school with questions about eligibility, obtaining a Student Fare card or requesting a replacement card.

If students are not covered by their school district for a Student Fare card, then that school may request to enter into an agreement with SEPTA to purchase Student Fare cards. For more information, email Debbie Dumas at [email protected].

Service for the Academic Year

The information is for the academic year only and does not apply to students attending summer programs.

The school district, not SEPTA directly, distributes the SEPTA Key Student Fare cards during the first few days of school. Transportation Liaisons assign the cards to eligible students and transmit the card numbers to activate them.

Students cannot obtain the card directly from SEPTA.

Travel Rights

The cards are good for up to eight trips per school day, between 5:30 am and 8 pm and includes taps for transfers.

School Districts determine the travel rights for each card, defining the number of daily trips.

Contact

Your school Transportation Liaison will provide additional information as needed.

Lost or Stolen Cards

If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately to your Transportation Liaison. You will receive a replacement card.

Student Contact Report

Students caught evading fare during approved school calendar days and hours of the Student Fare card, and who can present a valid School District of Philadelphia identification card, would be issued the first Student Contact Report (SCR) and entered into the Diversion Program.

The Diversion Program is a three SCR maximum program that allows for a student to correct any issues prohibiting their compliance to SEPTA’s fare policy, before more serious consequences occur. SCRs would be issued on up to three separate occasions if necessary (three violation maximum) and on the fourth and any subsequent incidents, a student will receive an official citation for theft of service.

At the beginning of each school year, student records reset so that every student starts the year with a clean ridership record. See the full program guidelines in the Student Fare Compliance handbook (PDF).

General Etiquette

When it comes to riding SEPTA, practicing proper etiquette ensures a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone.

Correct fares are required for transportation. Have your Student Fare card ready to help speed boarding.
When standing on a vehicle, especially near doors, please move to allow other riders to board or exit. On subway or elevated trains, remember to “step out, step in” to allow others easy access to the train.
Don’t share your music. Use earbuds or headphones.
Smoking is not permitted by law in stations, on platforms, in transit shelters or on any transit vehicle. This includes vaping.
Keep phone calls short. Talk quietly. Don’t use the speaker.

For more information on etiquette onboard SEPTA vehicles, review the Passenger Etiquette Guidelines.

Code of Conduct

Students are expected to follow SEPTA’s Code of Conduct while riding.

No littering.
Do not occupy multiple seats.
Do not block doors, hallways or stairwells.

The full Code of Conduct provides further guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility is determined by the school district with a set criteria, not SEPTA. Details can be reviewed at the School District Transportation website, under the “Requesting Transportation” tab.

Student Fare cards are issued by the Transportation Liaison of the program and tracked at the schools/districts. Each card has a number that is associated with a student, but this number is private and only known by the school and the student’s name is never shared with SEPTA.

Every rider must present a fare every time they ride a SEPTA vehicle. If a student forgets their fare card, they must purchase a standard fare to ride.

No, the Student Fare card is valid for student travel only. Parents/guardians traveling with students are required to pay their own fare.

The student should report this to the school Transportation Liaison as soon as possible to be issued a replacement card. The liaison will deactivate the old card.

On approved school calendar days between 5:30 am – 8 pm, with up to a maximum of eight taps per day. The Student Fare card is not valid on weekends or holidays when students have off from school.

All of them! Buses, Metro and Regional Rail. Student Fare cards must be tapped on-board or at the station turnstile every time a student rides SEPTA.

No. Student Fare cards are not prepaid, SEPTA only collects revenue when the card is tapped (on and off for Regional Rail).

The Student Fare card provides free travel to eligible students, but it is imperative that students tap their card for each ride. Student compliance supports the continuation of the free ride program.

This program allows caring adults like parents, guardians, administrators and teachers to guide student riders to use the system legally and responsibly. It provides an avenue for administrators to identify which students are not complying with SEPTA policies, and an opportunity to engage with the student before the violation escalates to a criminal citation.

The school district is the managing partner of the Student Fare card program. Your school is where you get your original card and any replacements over the course of a student’s enrollment in a participating school. The school is also a critical piece of the Diversion Program, as adults at the school will support students in overcoming barriers to riding SEPTA properly.

If a student receives a Student Contact Report, they must provide a valid fare to ride. Review the rules and policies for riding SEPTA and adjust your planning, preparation and behavior to follow guidelines. Planning and preparation will keep students from experiencing more serious consequences.

Read all the information on the citation and follow directions shown on that document. The citation may require a court date and a fine of up to $300 (plus court fees) may be incurred. Neither SEPTA nor the school district has any discretion or control over the handling of a citation once issued.

Yes. The citation for fare evasion reflects the crime of “theft of service”. Not paying a fare is stealing and is punishable by law. This is why the Diversion Program is so important: we want to help students avoid this consequence.

Download the SEPTA app to any smartphone to see schedules and real-time vehicle status. Also access emergency services through the “Help” tab.

In addition, real-time schedule information is available in the most popular navigation apps, like Apple Maps, Google Maps and Transit.

Tapping your student card matters. Tapping in every time you ride tells SEPTA which routes are most popular and helps make your ride, station, and stops better.