SEPTA raises fares by 15 cents, cites ongoing budget crisis
Jordan Osecki, Marshall Fleming
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News
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Tokens will now cost $1.45, up 15 cents. Transfers will cost 75 cents. Cash rates will remain $2.
The plan was enacted even though 75 of SEPTA's 153 rail stations do not offer ticket sales, and many of those that do have limited operating hours.
In January 2007, the organization took the last of its ticket vending machines out of service because of they the machines could not accept the new one dollar bill. The new onboard surcharge was added with the goal of forcing rail riders to buy weekly or monthly passes and advance ticket purchases, according to SEPTA in a Sept. 26 Philadelphia Inquirer article.
The biggest outrage from passengers regarded the lack of ticket vending machines. Amtrak, PATCO and subway systems in Washington and New York all have ticket machines.
SEPTA's reason behind not having ticket machines is strictly financial. According to SEPTA, each new machine would cost over $60,000. The eventual plan is to install electronic "smart card fare-collection systems." Some SEPTA officials said such a plan could be ready in four years, but that the organization's staff is waiting for the board of directors to help shape and direct a fare plan.
The aggrivation is not limited to regional riders. On Sept. 27, the SEPTA board voted to raise the price of bus and subway tokens and paper transfers, effective Oct. 1. The plan had been to eliminate paper transfers altogether, but a judge halted that plan. SEPTA is currently appealing that ruling, and has said that if overturned it will review the latest fare increases.
With the latest news on fares, riders may be more enticed to buy monthly and weekly passes, especially with a 10 percent discount offered to Drexel students. The first day that student passes can be used, Oct. 1, is the same day that the new rates take effect.
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