SEPTA announces fares hikes on trains, buses

It will cost more to ride the buses and rails.

SEPTA has announced proposed farehikes to take effect July 1.

The agency called the increases “modest,” and said they would span “across all modes of travel and methods of payment.”

Single-ride tickets will increase from $2.25 to $2.50, while tokens and discounsted single rides with Key will rise from $1.80 to $2, the agency announced Friday.

Weekly TransPasswill rise from $24 to $25.50 (up to 56 trips for one customer) and monthlyTransPasswill go from $91 to $96 (up to 240 trips for one customer).

The announcement comes more than four months after SEPTA’s 4,700 union workers staged a six-day strike over pension benefits and time off for drivers in between shifts. An agreement was reached Nov. 7, a day before the presidential election.

SEPTA said it has adopted the policy of periodic fare adjustments to help fund its operating budget, which provides for the everyday expenses of running the system, such as labor, fuel and power.

“This proposal represents the next regularly scheduled fare increase — the 2016 increase was postponed to allow time for the initial rollout of the SEPTA Key,” it said. The fare hikes are part of SEPTA’s fiscal year 2018 budget, the agency said.

Among the other increases, 10-Trip Discounted Fares for Regional Rail will rise, from $38-$80 to $40 to $82.50.

​SEPTA officials said they hold five publichearings onthe proposed fare increase starting on April 19. Two hearing sessions will be held in each of the five counties comprising SEPTA’s service region.

For a complete list of dates and locations, clickhere.