New SEPTA Pay Structure Could Limit Your Rides

SEPTA’s forthcoming New Payment Technology plans (NPT), which would move the area’s public transportation off of token-based payment and on to a smartcard system like those currently in place in New York City and Chicago, could also cap the number of rides a cardholder can take in a given month.

According to a report from PlanPhilly, weekly and monthly TransPasses could be capped after 50 and 200 rides, respectively. The decision to cap the number of rides allowed per card comes as a means to limit TransPass sharing.

From PlanPhilly:

“There [are] probably some offices that have an office SEPTA card that they use for individuals on the staff,” he said as an example of TransPass abuse.

The proposed pass limits are “quite high so that the majority or almost all of our customers are protected, but [the limits] hopefully protect us against some of the abuse of those cards,” Burnfield said. 

However, those who have attended SEPTA’s public meetings on its newcoming fare structure have said that the limits could hurt work commuters.

PlanPhilly again:

“…Multiple people who spoke at the public hearings said that for many just getting to work is a three-seat ride in each direction. If a passenger with a six-seat roundtrip commute uses SEPTA to get to work five days a week, he or she will use 30 trips for commuting alone, not to mention getting to a second job, the grocery store, doctors visits or perhaps their child’s school.”

More on SEPTA's NPT:

• List of Upcoming Public Hearings
• Fee Increse Structure
• NPT FAQ

Are SEPTA’s proposed caps going to hurt commuters? Would you be impacted by a ride limit? Have you heard of an example of pass-sharing? Tell us what you think in the comments.