SEPTA Proposes Fare Increases To Address Budget Shortfall

PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA is looking to raise fair prices to address a $240 million annual budget deficit.

The transit authority Thursday said the proposal would bring the Travel Wallet fare on buses, subways, and trolleys to $2.50, which is the same as the cash fare.

Free transfers on Transit would remain, but SEPTA would eliminate restrictions on direction of travel for transfers, introducing new flexibility that would allow for more roundtrips on a single fare.

Additionally, the proposal would also increase most single-trip fares on Regional Rail and align Travel Wallet and Quick Trip pricing.

All daily, weekly, and monthly passes would remain the same price.

In addition, three Zone 2 stations would become Zone 1 stations. Customers with weekly or monthly TransPass+ would have access to Regional Rail services at Overbrook, Wissahickon, and Tulpehocken stations at no additional cost, bringing the total number of Zone 1 stations to 18. This change supports the vision of SEPTA’s Reimagining Regional Rail plan to integrate Regional Rail with SEPTA Metro and Bus.

SEPTA’s last fare increase was in 2017. Planned fare increases in 2020 were deferred due to the pandemic.

The proposed fare adjustments would generate an additional $14.4 million in annual revenue.

SEPTA also continues to evaluate fiscal measures to reduce budgeted spending, including putting a hold on non-essential employee travel, hiring, and other expenses. The authority has enacted close to $20 million for Fiscal Year 2025 so far. These efforts build on SEPTA’s Efficiency and Accountability Program, which has already realized $50.2 million in recurring annual revenues and cost savings.

Despite funding constraints, SEPTA is consistently providing a high level of service on buses, subways, and trolleys.

Next week, SEPTA is making the first major post-pandemic service increases on Regional Rail by adding 99 weekend trains and 24 weekday trains to the schedule.

After four years of offering free parking to help attract customers back to the system, SEPTA will reinstate parking fees with a phased approach beginning Sept. 23. Daily parking rates at SEPTA-owned surface lots will increase to $2 from $1 and to $4 from $2 at the three garages: Frankford Transportation Center, Norristown, and Lansdale. These fees will help offset parking lot maintenance costs.

SEPTA must ensure that funding is available to continue to focus on efforts that are making the system safer, cleaner, and more secure. Since last fall, the Authority has hired 40 new police officers, and serious crime has decreased by 37 percent during the first half of this year. With more officers, SEPTA is enhancing enforcement of offenses such as fare evasion, smoking, and quality-of-ride issues.

SEPTA is also looking to add more full-length gates at stations to help prevent fare evasion, following a successful pilot of this new technology.

SEPTA will hold public hearings regarding the proposed fare adjustments on Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Members of the public may attend the hearings in-person at SEPTA Headquarters or remotely via WebEx.

Pending approval by the SEPTA Board on Nov. 21, these proposed fare adjustments would go into effect on Dec. 1.