Return To Work On SEPTA

MASKS: Effective April 19, 2022, masks are not required on SEPTA vehicles and in stations and concourses. This applies to both customers and employees in these spaces. Per CDC and TSA guidance, SEPTA continues to recommend masking on the system.

CLEANING: Every single vehicle on the road or track is cleaned from nose to tail, with special attention paid to high-touch surfaces like handles and safety rails. We use - and have always used - EPA-approved disinfecting products specifically designated for COVID-19.

We have reallocated hundreds of hardworking SEPTA employees to provide the wo/manpower needed to step-up our cleaning efforts on vehicles, in stations, and on platforms. And we're hiring more.

AIR FILTRATION AND INTAKE: We’ve installed more efficient air filters to ensure cleaner air in our stations and on vehicles. The air inside our vehicles is refreshed every 2-3 minutes thanks to a high efficiency ventilation system with fresh air intakes.

We partnered with Indiana-based Lumin-Air to outfit our bus fleet with MERV-13 equivalent filtration. MERV-13 filters are part of the recent improvements made at the Wells Fargo Center to improve indoor air quality. MERV-13 filters are recommended by experts because they remove small particles and at least 85% of the droplet nuclei people exhale that contain virus cells. These filters will help catch and remove contaminants from recirculated air inside the bus, improving the air quality for both riders and bus operators.

We are also coordinating with our industry peers and experts at Drexel University to stay on the cutting edge of risk assessment, mitigation and communication strategies to keep riders safe and healthy.

SYSTEM SAFETY: SEPTA’s number one concern will always be safety for our riders and employees.

SEPTA is committed to tackling critical safety, security and infrastructure needs at stations where there are significant challenges with the vulnerable population that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Efforts have focused on reinforcing key structures, including those supporting stairs and passenger crossovers, along with installing enhanced lighting, more cameras, new signage, painting, and deep cleaning.

SEPTA Transit Police are assigned to stations and vehicles throughout the service day and are working closely with outreach specialists to connect those in need to substance use treatment, behavioral health services and other assistance. SEPTA is working with community leaders and City officials to coordinate efforts.

We encourage all riders to download the SEPTA Transit Watch App which has incident-reporting features that allow SEPTA riders to directly and discreetly share safety & security tips with SEPTA Transit Police in less than 20 seconds. And it's FREE to download on both the App Store and Google Play. SEPTA Transit Watch is not just for customers with smartphones. Those with old-style flip phones can use “Text A Tip,” which allows them to reach SEPTA Transit Police with a simple text message to (215) 234-1911. And it furthers the Authority’s commitment to accessibility. The app provides a new way for the deaf and hard of hearing community to communicate with SEPTA Police. Additionally, the app includes visually-impaired functionality.

SEPTA WILL DO THE DRIVING, BUT YOU HAVE THE KEY! SEPTA Key is the quick, seamless, and flexible way to pay no matter how, what, or when you ride.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: You can get a Key of your own at any fare kiosk of ticket office. There is a one-time fee of $4.95 which will automatically be refunded as a Travel Wallet credit upon registering your card at SEPTAKey.org. Your card must be registered within 30 days to receive credit. Registering your Key also protects your funds in the event that you lose your card.

TWO WAYS TO USE SEPTA KEY: You can use it like your trusty Regional Rail or transit pass by loading a daily, weekly, or monthly pass onto your card. SEPTA also offers a 3 day pass for transit riders who don’t need to commute five days a week, good for 24 trips over 72 hours. And you can purchase and load a 3-day "bundle" of One Day Independence Passes at a discount. 

• or -

You can use your SEPTA Key to pay as you ride – at a discount – by loading any amount you wish onto your card’s Travel Wallet feature. Using Travel Wallet on transit (bus, trolley, Broad Street, Market-Frankford, and Norristown High Speed Lines) also gets you one free transfer (second transfer is $1). 

Either way, you can also use your SEPTA Key to access Perks all around the city!

HOW TO USE: On the bus and trolley, tap your Key on the validator next to the Operator as you board. (Except at 13th, 15th, 19th and 22nd Street on the Trolley. Here you will tap the turnstile.)

On Regional Rail, tap your Key on the platform validator or station turnstile before and after you ride the train. Think “Tap. Ride. Tap.”

On the subway, tap your Key on the validator on the turnstile before you get to the platform.

On the Norristown High Speed Line, tap your Key on the validator next to the Operator as you board - OR - on the turnstile before you get to the platform depending on your departure station.

Note: A SEPTA Key card cannot be used for multiple riders. Each rider needs their own SEPTA Key card to ride.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO ON SEPTA KEY

And in case you missed it - we now accept credit cards ONBOARD Regional Rail. We also accept mobile ticketing - SEPTA Key Tix - on transit (bus, subway, trolley, NHSL).

For the latest schedules - click here.

Get real time Regional Rail, Bus, Trolley, Market-Frankford, Broad Street, and Norristown High Speed Line information on the SEPTA App.

The Estimated Seat Availability Dashboard  provides seat availability information on buses.

Need a refresher course on how to ride? Check our comprehensive Guide to Ride or our How To Videos.

Note: Parking is FREE - yes FREE - at all SEPTA-owned lots until further notice.

You know what else is FREE? KIDS! All kids under the age of twelve ride for FREE on all SEPTA modes when accompanied by an adult. And of course Seniors 65+ ride free with their SEPTA Key Senior ID Card.

Click the icon for service and schedule information. 

How often is SEPTA running? Service on Transit (Bus, Trolley, Market-Frankford, Broad Street, and Norristown High Speed Line) is currently running at 96% of pre-COVID levels. Service on Regional Rail is currently running at 75% of pre-COVID levels.

For the latest schedules - click here.

When will service increase?  As ridership increases, we will adjust service accordingly. 

How often is the air inside SEPTA’s vehicles refreshed? The air inside our vehicles is refreshed every 2-3 minutes thanks to a high efficiency ventilation system with fresh air intakes.

How often are SEPTA vehicles cleaned? Vehicles are cleaned daily, with special attention paid to high-touch surfaces such as handles and safety rails.

What kind of cleaning products does SEPTA use to disinfect? SEPTA uses Lemon Skies and Avistat-D. Both products are EPA approved and fall on EPA List N which classifies disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19). In fact - we were using these products prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lemon Skies disinfectant is a heavy duty cleaner and limited disinfectant which is effective against gram negative bacteria when used on pre-cleaned, nonporous, hard environmental surfaces.

Avistat-D is designed specifically as a general non-acid cleaner and disinfectant for use in hospitals, nursing homes, public restrooms, schools, transportation terminals, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, lodging establishments, retail businesses and athletic/recreational facilities where housekeeping is of prime importance in controlling the hazard of cross contamination. It is formulated to disinfect hard, non-porous, inanimate environmental surfaces: floors, walls, metal surfaces, stainless steel surfaces, glazed porcelain, glazed ceramic tile, plastic surfaces, bathrooms, shower stalls, bathtubs, and cabinets.

Do I have to wear a mask on SEPTA? Effective April 19, 2022, masks are not required on SEPTA vehicles and in stations and concourses. This applies to both customers and employees in these spaces. Per CDC and TSA guidance, SEPTA continues to recommend masking on the system.

Is there a contactless way to pay for my trip? Yes! SEPTA Key provides a contactless way to pay on all vehicles. You can purchase, load your card, and ride with zero contact. See the section above for more information on where to purchase and how to load your SEPTA Key card. We also accept mobile ticketing - SEPTA Key Tix - on transit (bus, subway, trolley, NHSL).

What do I do if I see illegal or inappropriate activity on a vehicle or in a station? Download the Transit Watch App. This app allows you to discreetly share safety & security tips with SEPTA Transit Police. 

Check back for info.