New SEPTA Technology Should Make Things Easier, But More Expensive For PATCO Riders
By David Madden
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - PATCO riders, be aware. If you use the SEPTA system when you get into the city, some of you may soon be paying an extra half a buck.
The DRPA board is to vote later this month on a plan to integrate PATCO's electronic Freedom Fare card with a similar system soon to go into effect on SEPTA.
The good news is PATCO's card will work on SEPTA. DRPA Deputy CEO Mike Conallen has the bad news:
"As SEPTA is transferring to an all electronic system, they're no longer going to have the capability to accept the paper transfers."
Those are now offered at a 50-cent discount. Not only will the paper transfers go away, so will the lower fare.
This change takes effect when the SEPTA fare card system is up and running, expected by the end of the year. Also, SEPTA's card will not be able to be used on PATCO.
Some 3,000 people a day use both transit systems, but only 800 bother to take advantage of the transfer option.
