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|description=Complete guide to SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority). Fares, SEPTA Key, Regional Rail, Metro lines, airport service, and how to ride Philadelphia public transit.
|description=Complete guide to SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority). Fares, SEPTA Key, Regional Rail, Metro lines, airport service, and how to ride Philadelphia public transit.
|keywords=SEPTA Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, SEPTA Regional Rail, SEPTA Key card, Philadelphia public transit
|keywords=SEPTA Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, SEPTA Regional Rail, SEPTA Key card, Philadelphia public transit
|type=Organization
|type=Article
}}
}}


Latest revision as of 16:18, 23 December 2025

SEPTA
TypePublic transit authority
Address1234 Market Street
MapView on Google Maps
NeighborhoodCenter City
Phone(215) 580-7800
WebsiteOfficial site
Established1963
FounderPennsylvania General Assembly
OwnerCommonwealth of Pennsylvania
Employees9,500+
HoursVaries by service
ProductsBus, Metro, trolley, Regional Rail
StatusActive
SEPTA(215) 580-78001234 Market StreetPhiladelphiaPAUS

SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) is the public transportation authority serving Philadelphia and the surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery in southeastern Pennsylvania. Established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1963, SEPTA operates the sixth-largest public transit system in the United States, with approximately one million weekday trips across its network of buses, Metro lines (subway-elevated rail), trolleys, and Regional Rail commuter trains.[1]

The transit network, rebranded as "SEPTA Metro" in 2024, includes two rapid transit lines (the L and the B), a network of trolley routes, an extensive bus system, the Norristown High Speed Line, and 13 Regional Rail lines serving the five-county region and extending into New Jersey and Delaware. SEPTA's services are essential to Philadelphia's economy and daily life, connecting residents to employment, education, healthcare, and recreation throughout the region.

History

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The Pennsylvania General Assembly formally established SEPTA on August 17, 1963, to coordinate and consolidate public transportation services throughout the Philadelphia region. SEPTA began operations on February 18, 1964, as a planning and coordinating body initially.[2]

Major milestones in SEPTA's history:

  • 1968 - Acquired the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC), gaining the city's bus, trolley, and subway/elevated rail operations
  • 1970 - Acquired the Red Arrow Lines (suburban trolleys) and the Philadelphia and Western Railroad (now the Norristown High Speed Line)
  • 1983 - Assumed direct operation of Regional Rail from Conrail
  • 1984 - Center City Commuter Connection tunnel opened, linking former Reading and Pennsylvania Railroad lines
  • 2017 - Introduced the SEPTA Key fare payment system
  • 2024 - Rebranded rapid transit as "SEPTA Metro" with new line names (L and B)

SEPTA Metro

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In 2024, SEPTA rebranded its rapid transit system as "SEPTA Metro" and simplified line names to make the system easier to navigate.

The L (formerly Market-Frankford Line)

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The L is SEPTA's busiest line, running from the 69th Street Transit Center in Upper Darby, through Center City via Market Street, to the Frankford Transit Center in Northeast Philadelphia. The line operates as a subway through Center City and as an elevated line ("the El") through West Philadelphia and Northeast Philadelphia.

  • Opened: 1907 (subway portion); 1922 (Frankford extension)
  • Length: 13.1 miles
  • Stations: 28
  • Ridership: 170,000+ average weekday boardings (pre-pandemic)

The B (formerly Broad Street Line)

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The B runs primarily north-south along Broad Street from Fern Rock Transit Center in North Philadelphia, through Center City, to NRG Station at Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia (serving the sports complex).

  • Opened: 1928
  • Length: 10.1 miles
  • Stations: 23
  • Ridership: 90,000+ average weekday boardings (pre-pandemic)

Other Rail Services

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  • Trolleys: Five trolley routes serve West Philadelphia and Delaware County
  • Norristown High Speed Line: Rapid transit from 69th Street to Norristown

Regional Rail

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SEPTA Regional Rail is a network of 13 commuter rail lines serving the five-county Philadelphia region and extending into New Jersey (via NJ Transit connections) and Delaware. Regional Rail connects suburban communities with Center City, serving major employment centers, universities, and transportation hubs.

All Regional Rail lines pass through the Center City Commuter Connection, a tunnel linking Jefferson Station (formerly Market East) and Suburban Station, with stops at Temple University and 30th Street Station.

Regional Rail lines include:

  • Airport Line (to Philadelphia International Airport)
  • Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West
  • Cynwyd
  • Fox Chase
  • Lansdale/Doylestown
  • Manayunk/Norristown
  • Media/Wawa
  • Paoli/Thorndale
  • Trenton
  • Warminster
  • West Trenton
  • Wilmington/Newark

Fares

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Fare Structure

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As of December 2024, SEPTA fares are:[3]

Bus, Metro, and Trolley:

  • Cash fare: $2.50
  • SEPTA Key / Contactless: $2.50
  • Two free transfers included (within 2 hours)

Regional Rail:

  • Fares vary by zone (distance traveled)
  • Zone 1-4 ranges from approximately $4.00 to $8.00 one-way
  • Day Passes and Weekly/Monthly TransPasses offer savings for regular commuters

Passes:

  • Daily TransPass: $7.00
  • Weekly TransPass: $27.50
  • Monthly TransPass: $109.00

SEPTA Key Card

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The SEPTA Key is a reloadable fare card that works across all SEPTA services:

1. Obtain a card: Purchase at SEPTA sales locations, some retailers, or online ($4.95 card fee) 2. Add funds: Load money ("Travel Wallet") or purchase a pass online, at kiosks, or at sales locations 3. Tap to pay: Touch the card to the validator at turnstiles, bus fareboxes, or platform validators 4. Tap off on Regional Rail: Always tap when exiting to ensure you're charged the correct zone fare

Benefits of SEPTA Key:

  • Two free transfers within 2 hours
  • Can pay for up to 5 passengers with one card (Multi-Rider feature)
  • Lost cards can be replaced with balance transferred (if registered)

Contactless Payment

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SEPTA accepts contactless payment via credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay). Simply tap your contactless-enabled card or device on the fare validator. You receive the same $2.50 fare and free transfers as SEPTA Key users.

Note: Regional Rail requires SEPTA Key or ticket purchase—contactless credit cards are not accepted on Regional Rail.

Free Transfers

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Riders using SEPTA Key or contactless payment receive two free transfers on bus, Metro, and trolley within 2 hours of their first tap. The transfer can be in any direction (no restrictions on backtracking since December 2024).

Cash riders do not receive free transfers—only SEPTA Key and contactless payment users qualify.

Senior Fare Program

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Seniors age 65 and older ride free on all SEPTA transit services (bus, trolley, and Metro) and on Regional Rail within Pennsylvania. This program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery.[4]

Requirements:

  • Must have a SEPTA Senior Key Photo ID card
  • Card must be tapped on validator for each ride (even though fare is $0.00)
  • For Regional Rail travel to/from New Jersey or Delaware, fare is 50% of standard price

To obtain a Senior Key card, seniors must apply at a SEPTA sales office with proof of age and a photo.

Airport Service

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The Airport Line (Regional Rail) provides service between Center City Philadelphia and Philadelphia International Airport approximately every 30 minutes. The trip takes about 25-30 minutes from Center City stations.

Airport Line stops:

  • Temple University
  • Jefferson Station
  • Suburban Station
  • 30th Street Station
  • University City
  • Eastwick
  • Airport Terminal E-F
  • Airport Terminal C-D
  • Airport Terminal B
  • Airport Terminal A

The fare from Center City to the airport is $8.00 one-way (Zone 2 fare). TransPasses and other passes are valid on the Airport Line.

Service Area

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SEPTA's service area includes:

  • Philadelphia - Comprehensive coverage with Metro, bus, and trolley
  • Bucks County - Regional Rail (West Trenton, Warminster, Fox Chase lines) and bus service
  • Chester County - Regional Rail (Paoli/Thorndale line) and bus service
  • Delaware County - Regional Rail, trolley, and bus service
  • Montgomery County - Regional Rail, Norristown High Speed Line, and bus service

SEPTA also connects to:

  • NJ Transit at 30th Street Station and Trenton
  • Amtrak at 30th Street Station
  • PATCO Speedline at 8th Street/15th-16th Street stations

Mobile Apps

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SEPTA offers multiple apps:

  • SEPTA (official app) - Real-time arrivals, trip planning, system alerts
  • SEPTA Key - Manage your Key card, add funds, view trip history
  • meterUP - Pay for SEPTA parking at Regional Rail stations

Third-party apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps also provide SEPTA trip planning with real-time information.

Service Hours

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Service hours vary by mode and route:

  • Metro (L and B): 24-hour service (reduced frequency overnight)
  • Buses: Most routes operate approximately 5:00 AM to midnight; some major routes have limited overnight service ("Owl" service)
  • Trolleys: Approximately 5:00 AM to midnight
  • Regional Rail: Most lines have last trains departing Center City around 11:30 PM-12:30 AM; some late-night service on weekends

For specific route schedules, check the SEPTA website or app.

See Also

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References

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  1. ↑ "SEPTA". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  2. ↑ "Happy 60th Birthday SEPTA!". SEPTA. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  3. ↑ "Fare Information". SEPTA. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  4. ↑ "SEPTA Senior Fare Program". SEPTA. Retrieved December 22, 2025
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