National Senior Citizens Day is celebrated annually on August 21.
The day was established in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan through Proclamation 5847 to recognize and honor the older adults in our society both in our families and in our local communities.
Seniors (65+) travel FREE on SEPTA with a valid SEPTA Senior Fare Card. This includes Bus, Metro, and Regional Rail as long as their departure and arrival stations are located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Free senior travel is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery.
By assuring that seniors have access to free public transit to travel to doctors, beauty shops, barbers, supermarkets, museums, and other destinations—SEPTA plays an integral role in aiding active aging and healthy longevity.
With no state funding commitment in place SEPTA must move forward with 20% service reductions. Vehicles across our Bus and Metro network will run less frequently and with 32 fewer bus routes beginning August 24. Regional Rail service cuts begin September 2.
State lawmakers are still negotiating a budget for Pennsylvania and funding for SEPTA is still on the table. If that funding is approved—we will work as quickly as possible to reverse the service cuts but it would take time for us to do so.
The service cuts are the first of several steps SEPTA will take this year to fill a $213 million budget deficit—absent a legislative solution. Additional measures include a second wave of service cuts on January 1, 2026 that include the elimination of five Regional Rail Lines, a 9PM curfew on all rail services, and the elimination of 18 additional bus routes to achieve an overall 45% reduction in service.
Please do your part to honor the seniors in your life [or on your bus or train or trolley] through acts of kindness—including yielding seats! Or by making your voice heard. Your State Senator and State Representative need to hear from you. Tell them about your favorite senior and how reliable, affordable SEPTA service matters. Please ask Governor Shapiro and your PA State Senator and Representative to support new funding for public transit.