New Petition Opposes SEPTA Transfer Fees

A local group has launched a petition that aims to eliminate SEPTA's transfer fees, claiming fare should cover an entire trip and riders need some relief.

5th Square, a political action committee based in the city, released the petition just days after SEPTA announced its proposed fare increases.

"It's time for SEPTA to give riders a break, and stop charging an extra $1 penalty to transfer between buses, subways, and trolleys," the petition says. "When SEPTA charges an extra $1.00 for transfers, that's an unfair penalty for everyone whose home isn’t on the exact transit line as their job, family, school, grocery store, or place of worship. And it costs SEPTA more to run the system this way!"

As of Monday afternoon, the petition has nearly 350 signatories.

5th Square says free transfers would give every rider "equal footing" and provide the chance to travel to any part of the city without being penalized for switching transportation methods. The group has an entire webpage dedicated to its transfer fee opposition.

The group plans to formally request the transfer fee be eliminated during SEPTA's April 24 public hearing at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Board Room, 1234 Market St., Philadelphia. The hearing will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Want to sign the petition? Head over to 5th Square's website where you can sign and RSVP for the public hearing on April 24.

Patch file photo