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SEPTA proposes rate hikes starting July 1

File: Passengers wait for a SEPTA bus at the Frankford Station on Bridge and Pratt Streets.
File: Passengers wait for a SEPTA bus at the Frankford Station on Bridge and Pratt Streets.Read moreJennifer Midberry
    by Aswin Mannepalli, STAFF WRITER, Inquirer
    Published 

SEPTA is proposing higher fares on trains, subways, buses and trolleys starting July 1.

SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch called the increases modest and part of a typical three-year pattern. If approved, they would bring in $25 million for a budget that exceeds $1 billion in total.

SEPTA usually aims for a 6 to 8 percent increase every three years to keep pace with rising costs from employee medical care, power for the trains, and fuel for buses, he said. The increases are similar to the last increase in 2013, Busch said.

The fare hikes, which must be approved by the agency's board, are:

  1. Cash Fare/Quick Trip: Raised from $2.25 to $2.50.

  2. Tokens/discounted single ride with Key: $1.80 to $2.

  3. Disabled Fare: $1 to $1.25.

  4. Paratransit/Shared Ride: $4 to $4.25.

  5. Weekly TransPass (up to 56 trips for one customer): $24 to $25.50.

  6. Monthly TransPass (up to 24o trips for one customer): $91 to $96.

  7. Weekly TrailPasses (up to 56 trips for one customer): From $27.25-$53, depending on zone, to  $28.25-$55.75.

  8. Monthly TrailPasses (up to 24o trips for one customer): From $101-$191, depending on zone,   to $105-$204.

  9. Convenience Pass: $8 to $9.

  10. Independence Pass: Individual, $12 to $13; Family, $29 to $30.

  11. Ten Trip Discounted Fares for Regional Rail: From $38-$80 depending on zone to $40-$82.50. (Ten-trip tickets will be replaced upon Regional Rail implementation of the SEPTA Key.)

  12. For other Regional Rail fare proposals, such as pre-paid single trips, on-board purchases, and intermediate one-way fares, see the chart at http://www.septa.org/notice/fare-change-hearing.html.

  13. Regional Rail surface lot daily parking fee would increase from $1 to $1.25 with implementation of the SEPTA Key. Surface lot monthly permits would increase from $20 to $25.

SEPTA is planning hearings from April 19 to April 25 in Philadelphia and the suburban counties.

Some riders who depend on SEPTA for getting to and from work expressed anger Friday night at the Jefferson Station in Center City.

"It's very inconvenient how they keep raising the rates," said Matt Bryan, 29, of South Philadelphia, as he walked up the steps to Market Street about 7:30. "People have no choice but to pay."

Bryan said he relies on the Route 47 bus to get from his home on Oregon Avenue to his job as a cabinet maker at Seventh and Tasker Streets. His $2.25 fare per trip will go up to $2.50.

He said he also rides the El every day to get to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. That fare also will rise from $2.25 to $2.50.

Devin Miller, 23, of Southwest Philadelphia, was also aggravated when informed of the pending hike.

"That's more money out of my son's mouth," Miller said as he boarded a bus for home with  coworkers Kenya Crua  and Tiffany Kerber, both 29.

Miller said he spends about $94 a  month on SEPTA fares, since he sells smoke-shop merchandise all over the city.

"I need it, but I don't need a hike," Miller said.

Staff writer Suzette Parmley contributed to this article.