Another SEPTA fare hike starts
Today's 15-cent rise is the second in three months. It is the answer to a ruling blocking transfers.
SEPTA's second fare hike in three months takes effect today, with 15-cent increases in the price of subway and bus tokens and transfers.
The cash fare remains $2 - one of the nation's highest. Regional Rail fares, which jumped in July, are unchanged.
Today's increases are SEPTA's answer to a court order that blocked the transit agency's plan to eliminate paper transfers. SEPTA said its revenue from subways and buses was down $1.8 million in August because of the court's transfer decision, so it had to raise fares.
SEPTA officials said at last week's meeting of the SEPTA board that this fare hike may be temporary. If SEPTA wins its appeal of the transfer decision, it plans to eliminate transfers and roll back the fare hike.
SEPTA's broad fare hike in July was designed to increase its revenue by 11 percent. Instead, because the authority couldn't eliminate transfers, it collected only 8 percent more revenue. Riders were using transfers and tokens instead of buying transpasses, undercutting SEPTA's revenue projections, the authority said.
Advocates for passengers and low-income people protested that paper transfers were vital for bus and subway commuters who otherwise would have to pay two full fares for traveling on two SEPTA vehicles.
Some of those interested, including Lance Haver, the mayor's consumer advocate, also have pushed SEPTA to install an electronic fare-collection system. SEPTA officials say they lack the money for a modern system.