Without I-80 Tolls, SEPTA To Hike Rates

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTA said Friday that rates will be hiked an average of 6 percent and other planned repairs and improvements will be cut without new and secure state funding.

The transit authority said its fiscal year 2011 budget hinges to a large degree on whether toll collection is permitted on Interstate 80.

The Federal Highway Administration has yet to act on Pennsylvania's application to convert I-80 to a toll highway, which would create a dedicated source for transportation funding in the state.

Without those funds, SEPTA said it has to cut its capital budget down to mandated expenses, such as debt service, vehicle and infrastructure repairs and new equipment.

While keeping the base transit fare at $2, the fare increases would be spread across all modes of travel.

For example, the price of:

• Tokens would increase from $1.45 to $1.55;
• Weekley TransPasses would go from $20.75 to $22;
• and Monthly TransPasses would go from $78 to $83.

Likewise, an off-peak, Zone 1 ticket on the Regional Rails would stay $3.50, but peak tickets would start at $4, and those traveling longer distances would pay more as well.

Monthly Trailpasses would go from $84 to $92.50 in Zone 1, and people traveling to Zone 6 would go from paying $181 a month to $191.

Individual and family Independence Passes would also see increases.

Click here to see complete fare adjustment table.

SEPTA said its last fare increase was implemented in 2007.

And capital budget cuts would force the authority to delay or abandon efforts to implement new payment technology, renovate the City Hall Station, move forward with plans for Elwyn to Wawa service, and a number of Regional Rail station renovations and bridge replacements.

Public hearings on the proposed budget begin in mid-April. They'll be held April 14 at 2 p.m. in Norristown, April 15 at 2 p.m. in West Chester, April 16 at 2 p.m. in Media, April 19 at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at SEPTA Headquarters in Philadelphia, and April 20 at 2 p.m. in Doylestown.

SEPTA's 2011 fiscal year begins in July.