SEPTA would like to remind the public that they can participate in virtual public hearings for the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget on Tuesday, May 26, and Wednesday, May 27. Due to the health emergency related to the COVID-19 crisis, in-person attendance at the hearings is not possible.

The Operating Budget includes SEPTA’s Fare Restructuring Plan, which focuses on new initiatives aimed at improving equity, affordability and ease-of-travel for customers. Under the plan, customers who use the Travel Wallet on the SEPTA Key Card would receive one free transfer per trip, and SEPTA would implement discounted $1 child fares for up to three children between the ages of 5 and 11 traveling with a fare-paying adult.

SEPTA plans to move forward with these two portions of the plan on July 1 – and defer all proposed increases until at least January 1, 2021 – in an effort to assist customers during this challenging time and aid in the region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The SEPTA Board is expected to consider the proposal, and public feedback gathered at the virtual public hearings and submitted in writing, before it votes on the proposal in June.

There will be a total of four virtual public hearing sessions for the Operating Budget/Fare Restructuring Plan: 11 am and 6 pm. On Tuesday, May 26, and 10 am and 4 pm. On Wednesday, May 27.

New Options for Input & Supplemental Materials

The virtual public hearings will provide for the ability to provide comments by phone and email in three different languages – ensuring a greater inclusivity and creating more opportunity for input than ever before. Also, in an effort to provide as much information to customers and the public ahead of the virtual public hearings, SEPTA has posted videos, presentations and other information online for the Operating Budget/Fare Restructuring Plan hearing. Please follow this link for the supplemental materials: https://www.septa.org/notice/fy21-opbudget-supp-info.html

Real-Time Participation Via WebEx

For those who want to participate in real-time, including testifying, SEPTA has added an online option through WebEx. Everyone who plans to use WebEx will need to pre-register through SEPTA’s website, and those who want to comment during one of the hearing sessions will be asked to select a preferred time slot when they register. For details on registering via WebEx, please see the meeting notice posted online: https://www.septa.org/notice/fy-21-operating-budget-hearing-notice.html

Call-In Options

There are also call-in options for those who do not have access to a computer or do not want to participate online. Members of the public can listen to each of the hearings by calling (866) 796-7535 and use participant code 26811232. Callers will not be able to make comments during the hearings, however, feedback can be recorded via voicemail by calling (215) 580-7772, and press #1 for English, #2 Spanish and #3 for Mandarin. Messages must be received by May 31.

Email and Written Comments

Members of the public can submit written comments via email, or send written testimony through regular mail.

• Email comments to operatingbudget@septa.org.
• Mail to Director, Operating Budgets, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, 1234 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Written feedback must be received by May 31.

All comments, testimony and other feedback will be reviewed by an Independent Hearing Examiner, who will make recommendations to the SEPTA Board.