Ten cents more for a subway ride may not seem like much. Over time, though, those extra dimes can add up.
That’s certainly SEPTA’s intention. By planning to raise the price of tokens for buses, subways and trolleys by 10 cents, as well as making other fare increases, SEPTA could raise an estimated $22 million in additional revenue. But the fare hike will also add up for the customers who use Philadelphia’s very lackluster public-transportation system to get to work — and for the Penn students who use SEPTA for everything from internship commutes to quick rides to restaurants.
We’re not criticizing SEPTA for raising fares. It’s not a bad idea — that is, if SEPTA uses the money it raises from the increase to make necessary renovations.
If SEPTA is going to institute a fare hike, no matter how small, it needs to improve the quality of its service. Renovations to SEPTA are long overdue. Vehicles could use upgrades, stations could be cleaner and a card-swipe method of paying for rides would make traveling less of a hassle. When judged against other cities, such as New York and Washington, SEPTA’s quality and convenience pales in comparison.
SEPTA provides a valuable service to the city. The inconvenience caused by SEPTA’s shutdown during the strike last fall proves just how valuable. Improving the system could only make it more important to city residents. A fare increase must do more than take a toll on residents.
