The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has reported that its zero-fare pilot program has provided 4.3 million free rides in its first year. Launched in February 2022, the program studies the impact of fare-free transit on ridership and equity. SEPTA's General Manager and CEO, Leslie S. Richards, highlighted the success of the initiative, noting that "ridership on Route 49 has more than doubled since the start of the pilot."

The zero-fare pilot is part of SEPTA's broader efforts to improve transportation access and affordability, particularly for low-income residents. It is funded by a $1.8 million grant from the City of Philadelphia, which covers the lost fare revenue. The initiative has been well-received, with many riders expressing appreciation for the financial relief it provides.

According to this article, a cornerstone of the program is its automatic enrollment process which was "designed to minimize barriers and make participation as seamless as possible," according to Zero Fare director, Nicola Mammes. As a result, 90% of participants selected based on city administrative data including public income-based programs, while the remaining 10% were chosen through community-based organizations serving Philadelphia's immigrant and refugee populations. Participants only needed to confirm their mailing and contact information to receive their Zero Fare Key cards—which are intentionally designed to mirror the standard SEPTA Key card to avoid stigmatizing users.

Overall the program has seen a high participation rate of 64% representing over 15,000 active Zero Fare users. All first-year participants retain access in the second year, which anticipates an additional 20,000 participants in pursuit of a 35,000 active participant goal by the end of the pilot.

According to Mammes, there is a really great social element to the program, as well, citing that "folks can go see their family wherever they are in the region and just stay connected with other people and take advantage of all the great things available here in Philadelphia that we have to offer from an arts and cultural perspective," as transit costs are no longer a barrier for Zero Fare participants.

The decision to make the program permanent for low-income and immigrant communities will depend on a comprehensive evaluation of the availability of funding to sustain and expand its reach. "Rooted in equity," Mammes anticipates the program will show benefits including increased economic mobility, improved access to education, and enhanced job and healthcare opportunities, as well.

SEPTA budget cuts will not immediately impact Zero Fare as they still plan to distribute the additional 20,000 cards in early 2025 even as proposed fare increases and subsequent proposed service cuts are slated for 2026—just as they are here in our area with Pittsburgh Regional Transit funding issues. In April, Mayor Cherrelle Parker's administration said the mayor and SEPTA are discussing extending the Zero Fare program through 2026.