SEPTA bows to student pressure

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority bowed to student pressure Friday, and voted unanimously not to raise fares on student tokens and transfers. About 60 sign-toting students packed the SEPTA office building at 7th and Market streets in Center City to protest the proposed fare increase. One sign read "Hell no, we don't care, we won't pay your stupid fare." In a last minute compromise, the SEPTA board decided to raise the base fare from $1.50 to $1.60, making it the highest base fare in the country. The original plan would have increased the cost of transfers and student tokens, as well. The cost of standard tokens will increase 10 cents from $1.05 to $1.15. The fare increase will go into effect on January 22, a move some officials believe might cause customers to hoard tokens. Transfers will remain 40 cents. "Good things do happen on Friday the 13th," SEPTA General Manager Louis Gambaccini said. The SEPTA board's decision not to raise fares for students was greeted with thunderous applause from the students. Lai Har Cheung, a self-proclaimed student activist, spoke in front the SEPTA board. "This is nothing less than a victory," Cheung said. "But the cost of student tokens is still too high." The fares for students will remain at 90 cents because of an agreement between the city, the School District and SEPTA. Other students said it was difficult to pay $400 a year for transportation to school. "We're happy that we won the victory," Philadelphia student Maly Chap said. "This is just the beginning, though. Why do we have to pay $400 a year when we should be getting our education for free?" Student protests began after SEPTA unveiled a plan last November to increase fares in response to a $27 million dollar deficit. Officials said they will now lose about $1 million for this year because of the compromise with students. Although the SEPTA board unanimously agreed not to raise fares that affect students, some members said SEPTA should not be responsible for providing school transportation. "It cannot continue to be off-loaded onto a public authority," Andrew Warren of Bucks County said. In addition, the cost of weekly and monthly rail passes will also increase. Lance Haver, educational director of the Consumers Education and Protective Association, was enthusiastic about the students victory. "It protects the most vulnerable people in the city from a fare hike," Haver said. "It's the best of a lot of bad alternatives."