The city’s upcoming budget doesn’t include the Zero Fare program, which offers free SEPTA fare to more than 24,000 residents.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker omitted the city’s innovative free transit program from its upcoming budget, signaling a potentially abrupt end for a program that awarded free transit fare cards to over 24,000 qualifying low-income residents.
As Kea Wilson explains in Streetsblog USA, the program was the first of its kind in that it identified people who qualified based on other received benefits and sent them unlimited transit fare cards without making them go through an application process.
Of the more than 24,000 people who received that golden ticket as part of the initial two-year, $62-million pilot, the regional transit agency, SEPTA, says 64 percent are still riding today — a rate which proponents call “phenomenal” for a program that some feared would struggle to locate riders grappling with housing insecurity, or who might not believe their good fortune and just chuck their free cards in the trash.
According to Wilson, “A 2023 study showed that free transit doesn't significantly impact household earnings for low-income people, but it does ‘improve individuals’ well-being, and in particular health,’ which can have downstream economic benefits for public health systems, not to mention individuals' ability to access child care, medical care, or even simple quality time with family and friends.” Philadelphia transit advocates say extending the Zero Fare program would help improve SEPTA’s ridership and encourage other ‘choice’ riders who can afford fares but choose to drive to use transit instead.
FULL STORY: Is Philadelphia About to Eliminate America’s Best Free Transit Program?
Philly Free Transit Pilot Clocks 1.8 Million Rides
A two-year pilot program from SEPTA offers free fares to 25,000 low-income riders.
Why Philly’s SEPTA Faces a ‘Death Spiral’
The state has not offered a sustainable source of funding to meet the transit agency’s $240 million budget gap.
Opinion: Give Students Free SEPTA Rides All Week Long
Philadelphia's student passes cut off at 8 p.m. and don't include weekends, but expanding the free fare program could help SEPTA rebuild ridership and create lifelong transit users.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.
Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.
Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions