SEPTA is required by law to hold public hearings whenever public transit fares change or increase. These were originally scheduled to occur in April 2020 as ten public hearings, two in each county served.
While SEPTA's scheduled fare proposal includes some things Philly Transit Riders Union has fought for– cash/card fare parity, free transfers, lower child fares– we believe that fare increases should be postponed until the COVID-19 crisis is over. Any fare structure plan formed before the COVID-19 pandemic will not serve the public well during the long recovery ahead. We ask that SEPTA submit a new proposal that reflects the reality that many in the Delaware Valley will be out of work and with no steady source of income for 18 months or more. SEPTA can be a progressive public transit agency by proactively planning to help riders recover from this crisis.
We are asking that you write the SEPTA board with your personal support of this initiative. Fill in your name, customize your message if you want, and hit the send button below. Your email will open with your message. Send on or before April 21, 2020. If you don't have email please call 215-580-7211 and read the statement in the box below.
We will be live streaming the April 23rd SEPTA Board Meeting at 3pm. Follow on Twitter and Facebook to hear your comment and chat with other riders.
{ "name": "" } org@phillytru.org BoardSecretary@septa.org Postpone Transit Fare Change Hearings Ms. Looby, Hope you're well. I'd like to submit public comment for the April 23rd board meeting. Comment follows: I urge the SEPTA board to postpone all public transit fare increases until the COVID-19 crisis is over. Any fare structure plan formed before the COVID-19 pandemic will not serve the public well during the long recovery ahead. I suggest that SEPTA submit a new fare proposal that proactively addresses the reality that many in the Delaware Valley will be out of work and with no steady source of income for at least 18 months or more. I understand that SEPTA is in a particularly difficult position since SEPTA funding heavily relies on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and fare box revenue. The Commonwealth and its residents will be under severe financial stress during the duration of this crisis and I ask that the SEPTA Board focuses on securing federal aid to cover SEPTA's budget through FY2021. Lastly, I want to thank you for providing masks to SEPTA riders. This is an important step in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and shows that SEPTA really does care for transit riders. Sincerely, {{name}} Member, Philly Transit Riders Union