PHILADELPHIA (August 20, 2024) – Bryn Mawr College will be the second higher education institution to participate in the SEPTA Key Advantage UPass program. Beginning September 1, more than 1,500 Bryn Mawr College students will be eligible to ride SEPTA – at no cost to them.
This revolutionary initiative allows institutions to provide a monthly All-Access Anywhere Pass to participants, who can load the pass onto a new or existing SEPTA Key card. The passes come at a discount of over 80% to partner institutions. Just like the Monthly Anywhere TrailPass, SEPTA Key Advantage passes can be used on all SEPTA modes of transportation.
“We are excited to extend the benefits of SEPTA Key Advantage to students at Bryn Mawr College,” said SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie S. Richards. “This program has made it easier and less expensive for students to travel to destinations across the region.”
Bryn Mawr College will provide passes to all full-time, actively enrolled students free of charge, with the program running throughout the academic year (September through December and February through May). Bryn Mawr College students can use their Key cards 24/7 during the academic year, with a 240-ride limit per month (an average of 8 rides per day).
“As our College believes in access and equity, we are thrilled to partner with SEPTA to provide equal opportunity for our students to connect with the city, learn, grow, and enhance their academic and co-curricular pursuits,” said Karlene Burrell-McRae, Dean of the Undergraduate College.
SEPTA launched the UPass program with Swarthmore College last August. After a full academic year, the reception from Swarthmore students has been overwhelmingly positive with 89% of students tapping their UPass at least once. Most of Swarthmore’s ridership is on Saturdays and Sundays, suggesting that students are using it to explore the area and for recreational purposes – not only to go to class or work.
SEPTA Key Advantage is already proving to increase ridership at partnering institutions and bolster an inclusive recovery for the region, with over 55 partners and 95,000 participants so far. The City of Philadelphia is one of the largest employers in the program with over 22,000 eligible employees. Riders who have been offered the passes are taking SEPTA an average of 13% more than they were before joining Key Advantage.
Interested employers and schools can apply and inquire about SEPTA Key Advantage here.
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