PHILADELPHIA (September 1, 2025) – SEPTA is aware that some customers today may have been incorrectly charged $2.90, instead of $2.50, when tapping Key Cards and other contactless payment devices at bus fare validators. Any customer who has been charged $2.90 will receive a refund of 40 cents credited to their Key Card or contactless device account as soon as possible* (see amendment to this Press Release below). SEPTA apologizes for this inconvenience.
Today, Sept. 1, was scheduled to be the start of system-wide fare increases, including a change in the base transit fare from $2.50 to $2.90. The fare changes were put on hold following a ruling on Friday from a Common Pleas Court Judge, who issued a temporary restraining order requiring SEPTA to halt fare increases and stop any additional service cuts. SEPTA’s current budget calls for service cuts, fare increases, workforce reductions and a series of other cost-cutting measures to close a $213 million structural budget deficit. The future of a proposed state funding solution that would help close that deficit remains uncertain.
SEPTA has worked over the last several days to update applications that were programmed to charge the increase in fares starting today. So far, the incorrect charges have only been reported on a small number of buses that were in service today. While the issue is still being investigated, it is likely that the fare payment software on these buses did not receive the last-minute updates that kept prices frozen.
There have been no problems reported at station fare gate validators, and employees have continued to charge $2.50 for cash fares. SEPTA urges all customers to review their fare charges from today and contact us if there is an overcharge. Please call the Key Call Center at 1-855-56-SEPTA. SEPTA is also monitoring payments to flag overcharges.
Similarly, SEPTA will soon issue refunds to weekly and monthly passholders who pre-purchased passes at higher rates. Monthly passes for September went on sale on Aug. 20, and weekly passes on Aug. 27, at what were expected to be the new rates as of Sept. 1.*
*Amendment, Sept. 11: On June 25, 2025, the SEPTA Board approved an increase in fares effective September 1, 2025. On August 29, the court ordered a pause on these increases. The Philadelphia Common Pleas Court’s temporary pause did not retroactively change pricing for previously sold fare products.
The Board approved rates scheduled for September 1, 2025 will remain in effect going forward. Fare products purchased before August 30, 2025 reflected the Board-approved fare increase and remain valid. As such, SEPTA will not be issuing refunds for any purchases made before or during the suspension period.
SEPTA will continue to provide updates to customers on this issue as well as the timeline for refunds. Please continue to check www.septa.org for updates.
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