Weekly passes for transit riders will increase from $18.75 to $20.75, and monthly passes from $70 to $78. Regional Rail riders will see costs rise as well; the price of a Zone 3 monthly pass will increase from $126.50 to $142.50.
Philadelphia students who use transfers on their trips to school might not have to pay more than they do now, under terms of a plan being negotiated by SEPTA and school officials, SEPTA spokesman Jim Whitaker said yesterday.
For Regional Rail passengers, the biggest change will be that TransPasses will no longer be accepted in Zone 1 (Philadelphia) during peak hours effective July 30. Zone 1 riders will be required to buy a new Zone 1 weekly or monthly TrailPass, at a price 20 percent higher than current prices.
SEPTA last raised fares in 2001.
SEPTA officials were guardedly optimistic that the draconian "Plan B," with much higher fare hikes and service reductions as well as job cuts, would be avoided by legislative action in Harrisburg.
The state House has passed a transportation-funding bill and sent it to the state Senate. In its current form, that measure would provide about $101 million for SEPTA operations.
Board Chairman Pasquale "Pat" Deon Sr. said the fare hikes were necessary to show the legislature that SEPTA was willing to share some of the increased costs, even as the transit agency asked for more money from the state.
SEPTA faces a $129 million deficit in its new $1.02 billion operating budget. The fare hikes approved yesterday are designed to fill $35 million of the gap, while SEPTA is counting on the state for the remaining $94 million.
"We have to show we can do some of our housekeeping," Deon said after yesterday's vote, in which all suburban representatives voted for the budget while Philadelphia's two representatives voted against it.
