In an effort to help customers during this challenging time and aid in the region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, SEPTA plans to implement free transfers and discounted $1 child fares on July 1.
In addition, SEPTA says all proposed fare increases would be deferred until at least January 2021.
If approved by the SEPTA Board in June, these elements of the overall Fare Restructuring Plan would go into effect on July 1.
“The Fare Restructuring Plan was designed to improve equity, affordability and ease-of-travel for our customers,” said SEPTA General Manager Leslie S. Richards. “We are proud to be a partner in the region’s economic comeback, and we look forward to helping our customers as we get through the COVID-19 crisis together.”
Under the proposal, SEPTA would advance the following with the start of Fiscal Year 2021 on July 1:
- One free transfer for customers who use the Travel Wallet on SEPTA Key. This will result in a $1 savings per-trip for customers who now pay $2 for a base trip plus $1 for a transfer.
- Reduction in child fares: Just $1 each for up to three children between the ages of 5 and 11 traveling with a fare-paying adult on all SEPTA services. In addition, up to three children under 5 will ride for free with a fare-paying adult.
SEPTA will also advance on new three-day passes with expected roll out in the fall, providing new options for workers and other customers who ride SEPTA less than five days a week. This will include a Three-Day Convenience Pass for Transit that is valid for 72 hours after the initial tap. There will also be a new three-day individual Independence Pass valid for travel on Regional Rail and Transit.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, public hearings for the Fare Restructuring Plan and Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget will be held virtually. All customer comments and feedback will be considered by an Independent Hearing Examiner and presented to the SEPTA Board, which will vote on the proposal at its June meeting.
For more information about the virtual public hearings for the Fare Restructuring Plan and Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget, please visit http://septa.org/notice/fy-21-operating-budget-hearing-notice.html.