How To Pay Your Fare On Septa Buses

If you're wondering how to pay for your bus ride with SEPTA, you have a few options. You can either pay with cash or use a SEPTA Key card. The SEPTA Key card is a reloadable, contactless chip card that offers a more seamless travel experience. With the card, you can load daily, weekly, or monthly passes, as well as store funds in the Travel Wallet. Using the SEPTA Key card for bus rides costs $2 per trip and includes free transfers to another bus, trolley, or subway within two hours. On the other hand, if you choose to pay with cash, the cost is $2.50 per person and you must have the exact change as the operator cannot make change. So, while both options are available, the SEPTA Key card provides a more convenient and cost-effective way to pay for your bus rides.

Cash payments are accepted on the bus, but the exact change is required

When riding a SEPTA bus in Philadelphia, you have the option to pay with cash or the SEPTA Key card. If you opt for cash, you'll need to have the exact change ready—$2.50 per person, per bus ride. The bus operator cannot make change, so it's important to have the exact fare amount.

While cash payments are a straightforward option, using the SEPTA Key card can offer some benefits. Firstly, the fare for each bus ride is slightly lower at $2.00 when using the card. Additionally, the card provides free transfers to another bus, trolley, or subway within two hours. A second transfer within the same two-hour window will cost $1. This can be particularly useful if you need to make connections during your journey.

It's important to note that you cannot purchase or refill your SEPTA Key card on the bus or at most bus stops. You can obtain or reload your card at transit or regional rail sales offices, fare kiosks located at specific stations and loops, or from external retailers. The card itself costs $4.95, but this amount is refunded to your card's travel wallet when you register it online.

If you're travelling with children under the age of 12, they can ride for free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Additionally, senior citizens aged 65 and older can apply for a card that provides free rides throughout the SEPTA system.

Seniors over 65 ride free with a valid Senior Fare Card

Seniors aged 65 and over can ride free on all SEPTA transit routes (buses, trolleys, trackless trolleys, and trains) with a valid Senior Fare Card. This card is valid for four years and allows seniors to travel for free on Regional Rail as long as their departure and arrival stations are located in Pennsylvania. For stations to or from New Jersey or Delaware, seniors with a valid Senior Fare Card are charged 50% of the weekday fare.

Seniors who have not yet signed up for a Senior Fare Card can do so at the offices of local elected officials, including state senators and representatives, or at Transportation Management Associations (TMA) in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Registration is also available at SEPTA Headquarters, where same-day cards are issued. To receive a Senior Fare Card, applicants must fill out an application form and show one of the following forms of identification:

• Pennsylvania Driver/Non-Driver ID
• Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate
• Yellow PACE Card (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the elderly)
• Statement of Age Verification from the U.S. Social Security Administration
• Armed Forces Discharge/Separation Papers
• Resident Alien Card or Passport/Naturalization Papers

The SEPTA Senior Fare Card can be used by tapping it at the farebox or turnstile for free travel on buses, trolleys, or to enter station areas. For travel on Regional Rail Trains, seniors must tap on and off, and train conductors may ask to validate the card by scanning it on their reader.

Riders with disabilities are eligible for half fare with a Reduced Fare Card

• All SEPTA Sales Offices in Center City
• Fare Kiosks at all Market-Frankford & Broad Street Line stations, select bus loops, and all Regional Rail Center City Stations
• Key Customer Service Center at 855-567-3782 (with credit or debit Card only)
• Online at www.septakey.org (with credit or debit card only)

Additionally, Reduced Fare cardholders can make two free transfers on buses and the SEPTA Metro (including trolleys, the Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, and Norristown High Speed Line) within 120 minutes of first tap.

The SEPTA Key card can be purchased from sales offices, station fare kiosks, or retailers

The SEPTA Key card is a reloadable, contactless chip card that offers a seamless travel experience. The card can be loaded with daily, weekly, or monthly passes, and users can also store funds in the Travel Wallet. The SEPTA Key card can be purchased from the following locations:

SEPTA Sales Offices

The SEPTA Key card is available for purchase at SEPTA Sales Offices. Here, customers can buy the card, load passes or funds, and even obtain a free replacement for defective cards.

Station Fare Kiosks

Station Fare Kiosks are another convenient option for purchasing the SEPTA Key card. These kiosks are located at various stations and offer customers the ability to buy the card, load passes or funds, and check balances. The kiosks are also equipped with accessibility features, such as Braille and audio instructions.

Retailers

The SEPTA Key card can also be purchased from retailers located throughout the service area. This includes most corner stores and external retailers, making it convenient for customers to buy the card at their preferred shopping locations.

The card costs $4.95, but registering it at septakey.org refunds this amount to the card's Travel Wallet for future travel. Registering the card also offers benefits like protecting passes and funds if the card is lost or stolen. The SEPTA Key card is valid for up to four years, and customers can load or reload their fares during this period.

The SEPTA App allows you to scan tickets and manage your card

The SEPTA App is a convenient way to manage your travel on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority network. The app offers a range of features to make your journey easier, including the ability to scan tickets and manage your card.

One of the key features of the SEPTA App is its mobile ticketing function, known as SEPTA Key Tix. This feature allows you to purchase and scan tickets directly on your smartphone, eliminating the need for a physical ticket or pass. With SEPTA Key Tix, you can download a QR code ticket onto your phone, which can then be scanned at fareboxes and turnstiles when boarding buses, trains, or other SEPTA transit options. This provides a quick and convenient way to pay your fare and manage your travel.

The app also allows you to manage your SEPTA Key card, which is a reloadable, contactless chip card used for seamless travel across the SEPTA network. With the app, you can load and reload your card with passes or travel wallet funds, check your balance, and review your trip history. If you have a registered card, you can also enable the multi-rider feature, which allows up to five riders to use a single barcode ticket, making it ideal for families or groups travelling together.

In addition to ticketing and card management, the SEPTA App offers a host of other features to enhance your travel experience. You can access real-time updates on vehicle schedules, delays, and system status alerts, helping you stay informed and plan your journeys more effectively. The app also provides multiple ways to connect with SEPTA customer service, including through social media, live chat, phone, or by submitting comments.

Overall, the SEPTA App is designed to provide a seamless and convenient travel experience for users, offering a range of features that make navigating the SEPTA network easier and more accessible. With the ability to scan tickets, manage your card, and access real-time travel information, the app empowers you to plan and manage your journeys with ease.

Frequently asked questions