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SEPTA has been working on plans to upgrade the way we collect fares and will shortly award a contract to a partner to build a state-of-the art payment system. Given the complex nature of fare payment, especially on Regional Rail, it’s critical that we understand the attributes of new payment technologies that Regional Rail customers think would work best for them.

While it’s still a few years away, your responses will help shape our thinking and our designs for the new system. This is an important project, we appreciate your participation.

Thank you for your participation and interest in the future of SEPTA.

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* 1. The New Payment Technologies Program will replace paper tickets and throw-away passes used with a range of fare payment options you can choose from, including a rechargeable SEPTA smart cards, your own contactless credit/debit cards, or your own cell phone.

Please rate the importance of the following elements of the new fare system:

  Very Important Slightly Important No Opinion Slightly Unimportant Very Unimportant
Availability of a calendar period pass (like my current pass but with a rechargeable feature)
Ability to automatically recharge my account, similar to EZ Pass
Balance protection in the event I lose my card
Flexibility to transfer to other SEPTA routes and services
Ability to manage my account on-line or with my phone
Ability to purchase fare for a single trip using cash, credit or debit

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* 2. Electronic payment systems work best in a self-service environment using electronic readers. SEPTA is considering shifting payment of Regional Rail fares to the stations instead of on-board the train. "Paid Areas" would be created at Center City Regional Rail station platforms and concourse areas (Suburban Station, Market East, 30th Street, Temple and University City) similar to existing Paid Areas at SEPTA Market-Frankford and Broad Street Line stations and rail systems elsewhere. You would "tag" your card or phone to the electronic reader to enter and leave stations instead of presenting tickets, passes and cash to conductors during the trip. Fare vending machines would be located at the downtown stations both inside and outside of Paid Areas.

Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements:

  Strongly Agree Slightly Agree No Opinion Slightly Disagree Strongly Disagree
Moving fare payment off the train may improve the quality of my ride
The regularity and fairness of fare payments may improve
This type of fare payment system would reduce confusion for first time or infrequent customers
Passengers would adapt to this provided there was advance notice, signage and education
"Paid Areas" at the downtown stations may improve feelings about personal security

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* 3. Stations other than those in Center City Philadelphia would have electronic readers along station platforms. You would be asked to "tag" your card or phone to the reader when beginning or ending a trip so the fare would match your actual travel distance.

Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements:

  Strongly Agree Slightly Agree No Opinion Slightly Disagree Strongly Disagree
The regularity and fairness of fare payments may improve
It would be beneficial to customers if only one "tag" daily was required by passengers making round trips (returning to their home stations)
It would be beneficial to customers to include the daily "tag" as part of a parking payment
Passengers would adapt to this provided there was advance notice, signage and education

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* 4. Thinking of your most recent trip on Regional Rail, were you traveling on:

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* 5. How often do you typically travel on Regional Rail?

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* 6. How often do you typically travel on SEPTA buses, trolleys and subways?

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* 7. Where did you actually purchase your fare?

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* 8. Do you carry a cell phone or PDA?

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