SEPTA Announces Proposed Fare Increases For FY18

SEPTA today announced proposed fare changes for Fiscal Year 2018, including modest increases across all modes of travel and 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 and 2013. This proposal represents the next regularly scheduled fare increase – the 2016 increase was postponed to allow time for the initial rollout of the SEPTA Key. Fare revenues help fund SEPTA’s Operating Budget, which provides for the everyday expenses of running the system, such as labor, fuel and power. Pending approval by the SEPTA Board, these proposed fare changes would go into effect at the start of Fiscal Year 2018 on July 1. This proposal builds on efforts implemented with the last increase to simplify the fare structure for customers as they switch to the SEPTA Key. For example, the new proposal removes “premium fares” on the Norristown High Speed Line and bus routes 123, 124, 125 and 150 – making these permanent standard-fare rides. Below is a summary of changes to some of the most widely used fare payment methods.

The full fare increase proposal and public hearing schedule is here.

Cash Fare/Quick Trip: Increase from $2.25 to $2.50

Tokens/discounted single ride with Key: From $1.80 to $2

Transit Transfers would remain unchanged at $1

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: rom $91 to $96 (up to 240 trips for one customer)

Weekly TrailPasses: Currently $27.25 - $53, depending on zone; proposed increase to $28.25 - $55.75 (up to 56 trips for one customer)

Monthly TrailPasses: Currently $101 - $191, depending on zone; proposed 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 Discounted Fares for Regional Rail: Currently $38 - 80 depending on zone; proposed increase to $40 - $82.50. (Please note: Ten-Trip Tickets will be replaced upon implementation of the SEPTA Key)

For other Regional Rail fare proposals, such as pre-paid single trips, on-board purchases and Intermediate One-Way fares, please refer to this fare chart.

Parking: Regional Rail surface lot daily parking fee would increase from $1 to $1.25 with implementation of the SEPTA Key. Surface lot monthly permits would increase from $20 to $25.

SEPTA will hold public hearings regarding the proposed fare increase starting April 19. Two hearing sessions will be held in each of the five counties that make up SEPTA’s service region. Customers, residents, stakeholders and other members of the public are encouraged to attend, ask questions and submit comments. An independent Hearing Examiner will attend all sessions, and make recommendations before the proposal goes to the SEPTA Board for a vote. The public hearing schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, April 19: Delaware County Court House, County Council Room-1st Floor; 201 West Front Street, Media, PA. Sessions at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 20: Bucks County Free Library, Pearl Buck Room; 150 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA. Sessions at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Friday, April 21: (Chester County) West Chester Borough Hall, Council Chambers; 401 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA. Sessions at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Monday, April 24: (Philadelphia) SEPTA Headquarters – Board Room, Mezzanine Level; 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA. Sessions at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 25: Montgomery County Human Services Center Community Room, Main Floor; 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA. Sessions at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.