(SEPTA issued the following news release on July 1.)
PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA launched its redesigned website today with an improved look, enhanced navigation for easy access, and several new transit information features. Log onto http://www.septa.org and the new home page offers a preview of the extensive changes including quick access to schedules, service, and fare information. Drop-down menus provide a clear path to navigate the site and the color scheme and images highlight SEPTA’s role as the region’s public transit system.
“An updated website is an essential tool if we are going to effectively communicate with our customers and attract new riders to the system,” said SEPTA General Manager Faye Moore. “More people are using the Internet as their primary information source, and SEPTA must be prepared to meet the needs of an increasingly technology-savvy ridership.”
The redesigned site has several new features including:
— PDF format for all service schedules. Web schedules will have the same look and appearance as the paper versions. This improvement will enable SEPTA to post current schedules and upcoming timetable changes at the same time. Customers will be able to download and print schedules directly from their computer.
— Electronic access to career opportunities. A new e-Recruitment site will make finding an exciting career in public transportation easy by enabling visitors to look at current career opportunity listings, apply on-line or electronically submit resumes for future referral.
— Enhanced map information for all SEPTA routes services. The clickable rail system map has been improved to provide station addresses and complete service, sales, parking, and fare information for every SEPTA rail station.
— The latest SEPTA news and information. The SEPTA News Page, as seen in Metro, will now also be available on-line.
— A new calendar format for convenient access to information on SEPTA events, rider promotions, and events around the region accessible on SEPTA.
The new site also highlights established web features with a new look and feel such as Plan My Trip, Travel Advisories for planned service outages and detours, e-Procurement, Transit Store, and Sales Locations. Information on service changes or interruptions will now appear in the Travel Alert space on the home page.
“We have reset, refreshed, and redesigned www.septa.org,” Moore said. “We hope our riders benefit from the new look and customer-friendly approach to SEPTA information.”
The new website was developed and designed by SEPTA staff, with the exception of the e-Recruitment site, which was created by CareerShop. The Internet is part of a broader goal to improve communications with customers. As part of this effort, SEPTA recently reorganized its Customer Service Department to create a one-call link for travel information and customer service inquiries just by dialing 215-580-7800.