METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

SEPTA to move to open fare payment

Riders will soon be able to pay for travel on trains, buses and trolleys using bank cards, mobile devices, and other emerging “smart” technologies. The board authorized a loan commitment agreement that will provide up to $175M in funding for the project and related improvements.

February 7, 2011
2 min to read


The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) approved a proposal that will fund an "open" fare payment system, which would allow riders to use bank cards, mobile devices and other "smart" technologies to pay for fares.

SEPTA's board authorized a loan commitment agreement with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. (PIDC) Regional Center that will provide up to $175 million in funding for the “Smart Card” project, as well as related improvements to infrastructure, communications and customer service.

A modernized fare payment and collection system is critical to SEPTA’s near- and long-term financial health, as illustrated by its inclusion as a key component of the Authority’s business plan. The system will make fare collections more efficient, and its “open” nature is expected to attract new riders.

Riders will be able to pay for travel on SEPTA trains, buses and trolleys using common retail methods such as bank cards, mobile devices and other emerging “smart” technologies. It also means a move away from outdated fare instruments such as tokens and paper transfers.

The New Payment Technology initiatives, as the project is known, will be financed through the “The Welcome Fund,” a low-cost loan program developed by the PIDC Regional Center in conjunction with CanAm Enterprises LLC.

SEPTA pursued innovative financing after the main fare modernization project was cut from the Fiscal Year 2011 Capital Budget due to a 25 percent reduction in funding. With the loan commitment agreement in place, SEPTA can begin to advance its New Payment Technology plans. The projects are expected to be complete in about three years.

More Bus

Bus Tech Talk: Transit Tech Training...What's Changed?
Busby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve

LA Metro’s Obed Mejia discusses technician training, evolving maintenance technology, fleet replacement, and strategies for getting the most out of today’s transit fleets.

Read More →
RIPTA, APTA, and federal officials at the launch of the agency's new Frontrunner vehicles
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Biz Briefs: RIPTA Unveils New Frontrunners, Clevland RTA Adds New Siemens, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Siemens, Prevost, Dodge, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
Holly Arnold
Managementby Alex RomanSeptember 2, 2026

People Movement: Holly Arnold Joins Transdev and More

In this edition, we also cover recent appointments and announcements at Pace, CamTran, MCI, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A man in a blue suit stands at a clear podium.
Busby Elora HaynesAugust 26, 2026

The High Cost of Transit Buses: Industry Leaders Look to Procurement Reform

Transit leaders and policymakers examine how standardized bus designs, streamlined procurement, and predictable funding could help agencies stretch budgets and deliver better service.

Read More →
Ray Melleady and industry leaders on Capitol Hill
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 24, 2026

The Business Voice Behind Public Transportation

As chair of APTA’s Business Members Board of Governors, Ray Melleady explains how more than 850 business members are partnering with transit agencies to advance funding, innovation, and industry-wide collaboration.

Read More →
METROspectives: The Overlooked Issues Holding Bus Operators Back
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 21, 2026

From Surviving to Thriving: Building Stronger Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants founder Brian Dickson shares lessons on leadership, organizational health, and creating options for long-term success in a changing transportation industry.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Finding the Right Balance: Optimizing Transit Maintenance
ManagementAugust 14, 2026

Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability

The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.

Read More →
AI Powers Bus Lane Enforcement
Technologyby Alex RomanAugust 12, 2026

LA Metro, City of West Hollywood, and Partners Advance Smarter Bus Lane Enforcement

The award-winning partnership combines AI-powered detection with human oversight to improve bus reliability, accessibility, and enforcement efficiency.

Read More →
PSTA employees clocking in.
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 10, 2026

PSTA Modernizes Workforce Management with Digital Bidding System

The award-winning Workforce Transit Modernization project replaced paper bidding with a transparent digital platform, cutting administrative effort while improving access for operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A Community Transit Swift Green Line bus
Busby Staff and News ReportsAugust 7, 2026

Washington's Community Transit Sets Six-Year Roadmap for Growth, Expansion

Approved TDP targets more bus service, new mobility options, Swift BRT expansion, and a potential Everett Transit annexation.

Read More →