PATCO riders will get a gift for the new year: A 10 percent fare hike

The Delaware River Port Authority, which oversees the train line, said the increased fares will take effect Jan. 1. The agency’s board approved the hike in August 2008, but in September postponed it citing economic hardship on riders.

Riders traveling from Lindenwold, Ashland or Woodcrest in New Jersey to Philadelphia will see the biggest increase, with fares going up 30 cents. Passengers traveling between two New Jersey stations or two Philadelphia stations will see a 15-cent increase.

Under the resolution passed back in 2008, the agency could pass another fare increase in 2012.

“According to the board resolution, a cost-of-living adjustment would be made in September 2012, but the board could … always move to delay it,” DRPA spokesman Ed Kasuba said.
Kasuba said there had been talk of lowering the fare hikes, “but the issue was raised kind of late in the process.”

Kasuba added that raising fares isn’t expected to dramatically affect ridership. “We’re optimistic that it won’t have a significant impact because customers are very loyal, and with the cost of gas and associated charges to get to work in Philadelphia, riding PATCO is still a good value,” he said.