After a successful launch with large employers, SEPTA is expanding its institutional pass program, called “SEPTA Key Advantage.” The authority is inviting more organizations, including colleges and universities, to participate in this revolutionary initiative that is bolstering an inclusive recovery for the region.
SEPTA Key Advantage allows institutions to acquire SEPTA Key cards directly from the authority and distribute them to employees.
Currently, more than 7,000 Drexel University, Penn Medicine, and Wawa employees are using the passes after a productive pilot program. In June, SEPTA’s Board approved a tariff change to make the program permanent, and the authority started accepting applications from businesses with 500 or more employees.
FMC Corporation, an agricultural sciences company globally headquartered in Philadelphia, is the first employer to join the program since the expansion. FMC’s eligible employees are now able to enroll in SEPTA Key Advantage, and the passes will be ready to use on November 1.
“We are excited to see a strong demand for this program,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “We appreciate the support from FMC and look forward to extending the benefits of SEPTA Key Advantage to more institutions.”
“FMC wanted to provide this benefit at no cost to employees to give them access to mass transit for their commutes, and so they could travel anywhere, anytime on SEPTA,” said FMC Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kyle Matthews. “SEPTA Key Advantage gives our people the freedom to explore our great city in a way that’s consistent with the environmental commitments in FMC’s sustainability goals.”
FMC was one of the first major Philadelphia employers to bring employees back into the office on a flexible work plan once pandemic conditions allowed. SEPTA Key Advantage complements other benefit partnerships the company offers, like its meal program through Flik Hospitality Group, that provides breakfast, snacks, coffees, and lunches in FMC Tower’s café to FMC employees at no cost.
“SEPTA is a great partner for us because of how many of our employees rely on their trains and buses to get to FMC Tower every day,” said FMC President and CEO Mark Douglas. “We believe strongly that FMC is at its best when we are working together in a collaborative environment like the one FMC Tower provides. We are very proud to provide SEPTA Key Advantage in order to make that easier for our employees.”
Medium-Sized Employers & Passes for College Students
As part of the next phase of the program’s rollout, the authority is opening SEPTA Key Advantage to medium-sized companies with 50 or more employees beginning in January, which is when a new Philadelphia law takes effect requiring those businesses to offer commuter benefits to their workers. SEPTA plans to expand the program to small businesses soon, so all employers in the region will be able to offer SEPTA Key Advantage to their employees.
Also, SEPTA is now inviting colleges and universities to apply for the program in advance of the 2023 academic year. SEPTA Key Advantage UPass will make it easier and less expensive for students to travel to school, work, and other destinations.
“SEPTA Key Advantage is already proving to increase ridership at partnering institutions,” said Richards. “Getting people on transit is a critical priority in our region’s pursuit of inclusive economic growth.”
Participants can use a new or existing SEPTA Key card for their pass. Just like the Monthly Anywhere TrailPass, SEPTA Key Advantage passes can be used on all SEPTA modes, including Regional Rail, Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line, Norristown High Speed Line, and city and suburban buses and trolleys.
Interested employers and schools can apply and inquire about SEPTA Key Advantage here: jawntpass.com/keyadvantage.
For more information about SEPTA, please visit www.septa.org, follow @SEPTA on Twitter, or download the official SEPTA app.
