SEPTA raises fares by 30 cents

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority proposed its first fare hike in six years yesterday, increasing the base fare from $1.60 to $1.90. Citing rising charges for operating costs like diesel fuel and employee health care -- coupled with diminished state and local subsidies -- SEPTA General Manager John Leary said that the increases were inevitable. "We have worked diligently to reduce or maintain costs throughout the Authority," Leary said in a statement. "However, we must now strengthen our revenue flow in order to meet rising costs." The increase will make SEPTA's base fare the second highest in the country, behind only that of San Diego. The cost of tokens -- used by a third of all riders -- will rise from $1.15 to $1.30 and cash fare will rise from $1.60 to $1.90. Overall, fares will increase by 11.4 percent. SEPTA hopes to use the increased revenue to counter an estimated $32 million budget shortfall projected for the next fiscal year. SEPTA is also faced with accommodating the $65 million contract negotiated on March 20 for its city drivers and maintenance crews. However, earlier this week SEPTA Assistant General Manager Fran Egan said that the cost of the new contract was not to blame for the fare increase. "We were looking for more revenue before we knew what the details of the contract would be," Egan explained. Leary defended the fare increase by citing improvements in vehicles, stations and routes that have been constructed in recent years. But officials also announced that suburban fare zones will be simplified as part of the proposal announced yesterday, and day passes and Trailpasses will be accepted on more routes than before. SEPTA will hold public hearings in May before the planned increase takes effect on July 1.