(SEPTA issued the following news release on September 8.)
PHILADELPHIA — With gasoline prices hovering at historically high levels, SEPTA ridership has grown by about 10,000 daily trips, and more riders are anticipated.
“As people see the price at the gas pump they are recognizing the increasing value of SEPTA,” said SEPTA General Manager Faye Moore.
SEPTA carried over 214 million passengers during FY 2005, the highest ridership in 13 years. The transit system carried approximately 738,000 individual riders each day.
The current growth in ridership began early this year as the price of gasoline began to climb from a level of about $1.70 per gallon in January.
The recent spike of gasoline prices to well over $3.00 per gallon, coinciding with the end of the summer holidays, is expected to result in an even greater growth in SEPTA ridership in the immediate future.
The largest growth in ridership has been on the City Transit Division. While much of it can be attributed to skyrocketing gasoline prices, the healthy regional economy is also a factor.
“SEPTA has not raised its fares since 2001, four years, and no fare hikes are anticipated in the immediate future. Thus, the value of public transit rises with the escalating price of gasoline,” said Moore. Unlimited weekly passes on SEPTA are available for as low as $18.75, depending upon the distance traveled.
SEPTA has the capacity to carry many more commuters on its buses, subways, trolleys and regional rail trains throughout the entire five-county region. For information on riding the system call SEPTA Customer Service at (215) 580-7800, or log onto the SEPTA web site at http://www.SEPTA.org.