News

SEPTA SERVICE INFORMATION AND UPDATES

Jenkintown Borough continues to update the Borough website with the latest COVID-19 information and community resources that have been provided by County, State, and Federal agencies. The Borough continues to encourage everyone to follow the CDC guidelines including handwashing, social distancing and covering of your cough/sneezes. You can also reach out to the Montgomery County COVID- 19 hotline at  610-631-3000 with questions and for up-to-date information. Thank you all.  Please stay safe and be well.

SEPTA Service Information and Updates

SEPTA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Service Update

Thank you for your assistance in communicating SEPTA service adjustments and other information to your constituents, residents, employees and stakeholders.  It has been extremely helpful for our customers and employers to have these messages so prominently shared by your offices.  We ask you to follow and keep checking the online and social media resources posted further below in this message and encourage you to recommend your constituents do the same.  SEPTA continues to update the public on its coronavirus efforts online at http://www.septa.org/notice/coronavirus-tips.html.

Adjustments to CCT Service and Application Processes –

  • Same Day Reservations – Beginning Tuesday, March 24, registered CCT Customers (ADA/Shared Ride) may make same-day reservations to/from select destinations: medical facilities, pharmacies, supermarkets, and food distribution centers.  These trips will be provided on a space available basis until further notice.  To make a same day trip, you may contact the CCT Control Center at 215-580-7720 or 215-580-7145 then press #2.  Standard fares will apply.  Advanced reservations will be will continue to be taken as usual.
  • CCT Applications and Functional Assessments – CCT Applications and Functional Assessments – Due to social distancing measures and reduced staffing, SEPTA is unable to process CCT eligibility applications or accept new applications until further notice.  Similarly, SEPTA has also suspended all functional assessments.  Customers who  scheduled functional assessments prior to Monday, March 23 will be contacted by CCT staff and will be deemed eligible for CCT service on a temporary basis until application and functional assessment activities resume.
  • Reduced Fare and Senior Fare Cards – Due to social distancing measures and reduced staffing, SEPTA is unable to process applications for new or replacement Reduced Fare or Senior Key ID Cards until further notice.  Additionally, SEPTA reminds all customers that SEPTA Key Senior & Reduced Fare Card processing programs at SEPTA Headquarters and the Accessible Travel Center at Suburban Station remain closed.

Regional Rail and Transit Continue Operating on Reduced Schedules –

  • All Transit service (Bus, Trolley, Trackless Trolley, Market Frankford, Broad Street, Norristown High Speed Lines) are operating on a Saturday schedules. These timetables will be in effect 7 days a week, until further notice.  Customers should visit the Modified Transit Schedules page for current Bus, Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line, Trolley, and Norristown High Speed Line schedules.
  • Regional Rail is operating on enhanced Saturday schedules until further notice.  Enhanced Saturday schedules include additional trains or service to destinations not served on regular Saturday schedules.  Customers should visit the Regional Rail Service Plan for COVID-19 page for current schedules.

Resources for customers:

Regional Rail Parking Information –

  • Monthly Parking Permits – SEPTA is temporarily suspending the provision that requires customers to purchase a Parking Permit each month to maintain their eligibility. Persons eligible in April will remain eligible once travel restrictions are lifted.  Customers who purchased an April Parking Permit will receive their May Monthly Parking Permit free of charge.  Should travel restrictions be extended, a complimentary Monthly Permit will be provided for a future month.  It is not necessary to return your unused April Parking Permit.  The option to purchase a Monthly Parking Permit at a Regional Rail Ticket office is also suspended until further notice.

Lansdale and Norristown Transportation Center Garages – SEPTA will be suspending operations at its parking garage facilities at Norristown and Lansdale Stations, effective midnight, Monday, March 23, 2020. Exits will remain open for 24 hours to allow customers to remove vehicles parked in the garages. Surface lots parking will remain available at both the Norristown & Lansdale Regional Rail Stations.

Messages from General Manager Leslie Richards to All SEPTA Employees

The following letter was sent to all SEPTA employees and was also posted on the COVID-19 page on SEPTA’s website for customers.

SEPTA asks that riders do their part and refrain from using the system for non-essential purposes. By reserving the system for only those who absolutely need it during this unprecedented crisis, SEPTA can help make sure it provides the safest environment possible for both our riders and employees.

SEPTA also shared the following video from General Manager Leslie Richards thanking all employees – especially frontline employees – for their commitment during this unprecedented time:  https://twitter.com/SEPTAPHILLY/status/1242135550099849216

To All SEPTA Employees:

As SEPTA works hour by hour to adjust our response and our service based on the latest guidance from the CDC and state and local governments on COVID-19, we have taken proactive measures to keep all of our employees and customers safe. In addition to these safety measures, we have closely monitored the region’s service needs and the fiscal impact they have.

You are aware that in response to staggering losses in ridership we have implemented dramatic reductions in service. By way of example, Transit ridership is down 64 percent and we have seen an 88 percent decrease in ridership on Regional Rail (see attached charts).  Those numbers continue to spiral downward in response to increased restrictions imposed on movement designed to suppress the spread of the virus. While SEPTA had a $7.3 million surplus for the first eight months of the fiscal year, we are now projecting at least a $150 million loss for this fiscal year.

You should know that SEPTA is in close communication with the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation, as well as state and local officials, regarding the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. We are hopeful there will be a federal relief package for SEPTA and other public transportation agencies that are still providing critical services during this crisis. However, more immediate action is necessary to stem SEPTA’s mounting operating losses.

Our team is closely examining all facets of our operations to identify areas where cost savings and efficiencies can be achieved. Given the evolving situation we must take difficult short-term measures. All options are being considered.

To start, we have instituted a 10 percent pay reduction for myself and the Executive Team.  This takes effect immediately. A number of other cost-cutting measures have been put into place or will be soon, including elimination of overtime, a freeze on new hires, eliminating marketing efforts where possible, eliminating non-essential employee travel, and we are considering further service reductions on Regional Rail and Transit. We will continue to assess options for additional reducing costs moving forward.

I am so proud of how our SEPTA family has united to serve and support our communities during these challenging times. Together, we will get through this. Please stay safe and know that your health and well-being and that of our customers is always my priority.

Leslie Richards
General Manager

Please Share & Follow These Online and Social Media Resources to Connect with SEPTA

SEPTA reminds customers that there are many ways to stay connected with SEPTA and receive updates and information about SEPTA service.

Online –                     http://www.septa.org/
Twitter –                   https://twitter.com/SEPTA_SOCIAL (Customer Service)
https://twitter.com/SEPTANews (News and media updates)
Phone –                     215-580-7800
SEPTA App –            Available from the App Store and Google Play

COVID-19 Updates for Customers and Employees

SEPTA continues to update customers and employees on ongoing preparation and response efforts.  Customers can get information on SEPTA cleaning activities, recommendations for customers riding the system, including good hygiene practices, and links to federal, state and local health department websites by clicking the COVID-19 Tips to Fight Flu and Colds link on SEPTA’s homepage.