Hi everyone,
After many delays SEPTA seems to be on the verge of ending its dubious distinction of being the only big-city transit system in the US still using tokens. SEPTA has set April 2016 as the rollout date for the long-awaited SEPTA Key electronic fare payment system. For those of us who are Philadelphia residents over 65, SEPTA promises more information at some point about replacement of our senior citizen transit passes with Key cards. Attached is an article about Fare Key published on 12/17/2015 by Plan Philly:
http://planphilly.com/articles/2015/12/17/septa-key-should-roll-out-by-a...
The process for obtaining a Senior Citizen Key Card has yet to be explained.
Bob Schmidt
If anyone is interested in having their picture taken for the SEPTA Fare Key card that will eventually be rolled out, here's how. Go to 1234 Market Street and take the escalator down 1 floor to the level where the old trolley is on display. At the right front side of the trolley is a desk where workers will give you a form to fill out after you display picture ID and (if you have one) your existing PA Senior Citizen transit ID). You will also be given a number. At the rear of the trolley is where the pictures are taken by other SEPTA workers. That's it. I was told my new SEPTA Fare Key card would be mailed to me in "a couple of months."
People over 65 will soon be required to show a SEPTA photo ID to ride the bus for free. SEPTA is now doing the photo IDs at 1234 Market St, lower level, near the green vintage trolley. The process is very slow. I was 3rd in line and I had to wait about 20 minutes. I recommend you go soon before they require the photo ID. At present the regular SEPTA pass or Medicare card is still accepted.
You need to fill out this form: http://www.septa.org/fares/discount/pdf/senior-id.pdf Bring your old SEPTA pass and one of the valid forms of ID listed on the form.
If you go between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. there is no wait.
While you are waiting for your new photo ID, you can continue to use your old SEPTA pass or your driver's license.
The new photo ID will be mailed to you in a couple of months.
I finally received my SEPTA Senior Key Card in the mail and it works great -- very convenient and easy to use, on the bus or subway. Go for it!