Two breaks for commuters
Unpunched TransPasses are good for exchange or credit. Free SEPTA tokens will be available.
Time for a couple of givebacks for strike-beleaguered SEPTA commuters.
Anyone who has an unpunched TransPass valid for last week is entitled to an exchange or credit, even if the pass was partially used, SEPTA announced yesterday.
And today and tomorrow, free SEPTA tokens - worth $2 for rides on buses, trolleys, and subways - will be given out from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at 15th and Market Streets, courtesy of Stovetop, the stuffing-mix maker.
Holders of eligible weekly TransPasses - usually honored on buses, subways, and trolleys - have until Dec. 31 to turn them in for new ones, SEPTA said. Those with monthly passes should finish using this month's pass, then surrender it to get a $20 discount for a December, January, or February pass.
Weekly TransPasses cost $20.70, while the monthly passes cost $78.
Eligible customers may use any sales location, SEPTA said. People with passes obtained through an employer program or a pre-tax program, however, must mail in their requests along with their passes.
Punched passes will not be honored. The punch indicates the pass was used to ride the Regional Rail system, which remained in operation during the strike, which began last Tuesday.
Weekly and monthly TrailPasses are ineligible for credits and exchanges - even if unused - because service was not interrupted, SEPTA spokeswoman Jerri Williams said.
Anyone trying to use a TransPass to ride Regional Rail was supposed to be told that getting the TransPass punched would rule out any refund, she said.
Those using employer or pre-tax programs to obtain passes should submit the pass by mail to: SEPTA SIP Refunds, Box 58609, Philadelphia 19102-8849. Be sure to enclose a note with contact information, including an address.
Anyone who thinks an exception should be made, or who has a complaint, may send a letter of explanation to the same address.
Refund requests could take six weeks to process.
The Stovetop giveaway, which will include feeding parking kiosks around City Hall, as well as product coupons, is part of a promotional campaign. For more details: www.spreadthewarmth.com