SEPTA is reminding riders that fare increases go into effect on Saturday, July 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year. The fare changes, which were approved by the SEPTA Board in May following a series of 10 public hearings throughout the authority’s service region, include modest increases across all modes of travel and all methods of payment.
In keeping with the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission, SEPTA has adopted a policy of making periodic fare adjustments, with increases in 2007, 2010, 2013, and this year.
Fare revenues help fund SEPTA’s Operating Budget, which provides for the everyday expenses of running the system, such as labor, fuel and power. The upcoming fare increase was planned for 2016, but was postponed one year to allow time for the initial rollout of the SEPTA Key.
Below is a summary of changes to some of the most widely used fare payment methods. The full details of the fare increase are posted online at https://www.septa.org/fares/new/index.html:
- Cash Fare/Quick Trip: Increase from $2.25 to $2.50
- Discounted single ride with SEPTA Key Travel Wallet/Token: From $1.80 to $2
- Disabled Fare: From $1 to $1.25
- Paratransit/Shared Ride: $4 to $4.25
- Weekly TransPass: From $24 to $25.50 (up to 56 trips for one customer)
- Monthly TransPass: From $91 to $96 (up to 240 trips for one customer)
- Weekly TrailPasses: Currently $27.25-$53, depending on zone; Increase to $28.25-$55.75 (up to 56 trips for one customer)
- Monthly TrailPasses: Currently $101-$191, depending on zone; Increase to $105-$204 (up to 240 trips for one customer)
- Convenience Pass: From $8 to $9
- Independence Pass: Individual – $12 to $13; Family – $29 to $30
- Ten Trip Tickets/Fares for Regional Rail: Currently $38-80 depending on zone; Increase to $40-$82.50.
The fare changes build on efforts implemented with the 2013 increase to simplify the fare structure for customers as they switch to the SEPTA Key. For example, the new structure removes “premium fares” on the Norristown High Speed Line and bus routes 123, 124, 125 and 150 – making these permanent standard-fare rides.