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Town hall attendees urge council to save 0‑fare SEPTA program as enrollment faces cut in June
Summary
A city resident and SEPTA user told council the administration plans to end the 0‑fare program that enrolled roughly 15,000 riders; councilmembers said there is strong support on council and asked beneficiaries to contact offices with their experiences.
A town hall participant who helps organize on transit issues told City Council members that the city plans to end a local 0‑fare transit program that enrolled thousands of low‑income riders, and urged council to preserve the benefit.
Emma (last name not provided at the microphone) said the city’s 0‑fare program had roughly 15,000 signups and that the administration had decided to cut the program as of June, potentially affecting daily commute access for many riders. She emphasized the program’s early‑morning and evening use and said discontinuing it could reduce ridership and the sense of safety that comes from fuller trains and buses.
Councilmembers at the meeting said there is “a lot of support” on council for keeping 0‑fare programs and that they would push back during budget negotiations. At the town hall, council staff asked beneficiaries to provide contact information and experiences so members can make an evidentiary case during budget hearings; a staff contact number was provided to gather stories and participants’ details.
No formal action was taken at the town hall; councilmembers urged residents who use or benefit from the program to contact council offices so members can press the administration during upcoming negotiations.
