The holiday season is here and SEPTA is thanking its monthly and weekly transpass and trailpass customers with a free ride for their traveling companions during Thanksgiving Weekend, November 24-27, 2011.

“This is the season for giving thanks and we are happy to show our appreciation for our loyal monthly and weekly pass holders by providing a free ride to their traveling companions over the upcoming holiday weekend,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey. “Whether traveling to see family or kicking off their holiday shopping at the mall or in town, our pass holders can treat their friends to a ride on us on our buses, trains and trolleys.”

With SEPTA’s “Thanks+Giving” campaign, November Monthly transpass and trailpass holders received two “Free Ride” coupons with their pass purchase (weekly pass customers will receive the coupons with their November 21, 2011 pass purchase). The coupon allows one friend or family member of a November monthly or November 21 weekly pass holder with a free round trip any one day between November 24-27 when accompanied by the pass holder. The coupons are valid on SEPTA buses, Regional Rail, Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line and trolleys. Coupon users can also request free transfers.

Of course, Thanksgiving means Christmas is just around the corner and Santa Claus will be coming to town. On Friday, November 25, Philadelphia region families can ride SEPTA’s Santa Express and welcome Jolly Old St. Nick, Mrs. Claus and his helpers at an 11 am parade at the Gallery at Market East.

Thanks to an early holiday present from Constellation Energy, families can travel one way into Center City for the festivities on designated Santa Express trains for free.

Specially decorated Santa Express trains will depart at the following times and locations; Market Frankford Line, 69th Street Transportation Center, 10 a.m.; Market Frankford Line, Frankford Transportation Center (Bridge Street entrance), 10 a.m.; Broad Street Line, Fern Rock Transportation Center, 10 am (making Express stops only to 8th and Market Street Station); Media/Elwyn Regional Rail Line, Elwyn Station, 9:41 a.m.; Warminster Regional Rail Line, Warminster Station, 9:41 am

Regional Rail passengers will receive a free one way trip into Center City. Market Frankford and Broad Street Line Santa Express passengers will be reimbursed one token per person for their trip to the Gallery.

To learn more about Constellation Energy, visit http://www.constellation.com/.

For complete Thanks+Giving and Santa Express details, visit https://www.septa.org/ or contact SEPTA Customer Service at 215-580-7800. SEPTA wishes all of its customers and their families a wonderful holiday season.