SEPTA fare increase for subways, trolleys and buses to take effect Sunday | What you need to know

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- SEPTA fares are going up on subways, trolleys, and buses, beginning on Sunday, Dec. 1.

The board approved the 7.5 percent increase earlier this month, as the transit agency faces a massive $240 million budget deficit.

"It could be worse. I guess having the mindset of the cup half full, half empty. So, I don't personally like it, but they have to do what they have to do, too," said SEPTA commuter, Terrance Butler from Southwest Philadelphia.

SEPTA argues that a hike is necessary to maintain service levels amid the budget deficit.

Fares on buses, subways and trolleys are up 50 cents to $2.50 a ride.

SEPTA is also raising fares for Regional Rail.

All daily, monthly and weekly passes will remain at the same price.

"I do agree just a little bit. I see both sides," said Dominique Evans from North Philadelphia.

Evans says it won't stop her from getting where she needs to go.

"You need SEPTA to get to where you need to go. If you don't have a car right now, you better use SEPTA, OK," said Evans.

This marks the first time since 2017 that fares have spiked.

SEPTA released the following details about the price hike:

Travel Wallet, SEPTA Key Tix, and contactless fare on buses, subways, and trolleys increases from $2.00 to $2.50 which is the same as the cash fare. Two (2) free transfers on buses, subways, and trolleys remains but we have eliminated restrictions on direction of travel for transfers - introducing new flexibility that allows for more roundtrips on a single fare.

Single-trip fares on Regional Rail have increased to align Travel Wallet with Quick Trip pricing by Zone.

Onboard Regional Rail fares are the same no matter what time of day or day (weekday and weekend fares are the same). We have discontinued the Evening Weekday Off Peak Fare Discount.

All daily, weekly, and monthly passes remain the same price.

We moved three (3) Zone 2 stations (Overbrook, Wissahickon, and Tulpehocken) into Zone 1 bringing the total number of Zone 1 stations to 18. Customers with a weekly or monthly TransPass+ (formerly called TransPass) can access all Zone 1 stations at no additional cost.

This change supports the vision of SEPTA's Reimagining Regional Rail plan to integrate Regional Rail with SEPTA Metro and Bus.

However TransPass+ holders no longer enjoy free weekday off peak travel to/from all Philadelphia Regional Rail stations.

We also eliminated free weekday off peak travel to/from Zone 2 or higher stations for TransPass+, and Zone 1, and Zone 3 TrailPass holders.

Seniors 65+ continue to ride free.

Kids under twelve continue to ride free.

For more information on the fare plan - including a full breakdown on all increases and related modifications visit this page at SEPTA.org.

Another SEPTA rate hike avoided for now

SEPTA was also scheduled to have another 21.5 percent fare increase on January 1 but Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro provided $153 million in funding to postpone that increase.

Shapiro said the $153 million can also help SEPTA avoid service cuts until he can come to an agreement on a wider transportation funding deal with state lawmakers.

Shapiro also said Philadelphia and its four suburban counties had agreed to boost their contribution to SEPTA.

The cash injection is coming from federal highway money. Shapiro said shifting the money won't jeopardize or stop any ongoing highway projects.