Contactless ways to pay are here and we recommend you always tap your card—not your wallet—when riding SEPTA. Here’s why: card clash.
Card clash happens when two or more contactless payment cards are simultaneously detected by a card reader. When this happens the reader may:
#1 Not read any card and the turnstile won’t unlock or the Operator will not let you board which can hold you up and the riders behind you
#2 Read one card when you first tap and another card when you transfer—charging two full fares for your trip
#3 Take payment from the wrong card
Number 3 is important for SEPTA Key cardholders that use Travel Wallet as well as SEPTA Key Senior Fare cardholders, SEPTA Key Reduced Fare cardholders, and SEPTA Key Student Fare cardholders who travel for free or at a reduced rate.
If your SEPTA Key card, SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card, SEPTA Key Reduced Fare Card, or SEPTA Key Student Fare Card are kept in your wallet, phone back, etc. with your other contactless cards and you tap your wallet or phone back on the reader instead of tapping your SEPTA Key card, SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card, SEPTA Key Reduced Fare Card, or SEPTA Key Student Fare Card directly on the reader—there’s a chance the reader will detect and charge one of your other cards first.
To avoid card clash simply take your SEPTA Key card, SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card, SEPTA Key Reduced Fare Card, or SEPTA Key Student Fare Card out of your wallet or phone back before you board.
Same goes for your contactless credit/debit cards. Tap the card you want to use on the reader.
Thanks for riding!