Blog by Madelynne Johns, originally published on transitforwardphilly.org
Earlier this month, Transit Forward Philadelphia joined City Councilmember Rue Landau for a press conference in support of universal student fares for Philadelphia students.
Parents, students, after-school program coordinators, and transit advocates gathered in City Hall to speak on and support the effort to make student fares universal. The current SEPTA student fare program does not go far enough. It limits eligibility to students residing farther than 1.5 miles from their school and limits pass hours to between 5:30 am to 8 pm on schooldays only. The pass does not work after 8 pm on schooldays, any day that school is not in session, or over summers and holiday breaks.
The press conference was headlined by two students in the Bicycle Coalition’s Youth Cycling Program who shared their experiences directly from the SEPTA student fare program.
- YaNia Strawberry (Saul High School) and RJ Campbell (Boys Latin), both from the Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling group, advocated and spoke about their experience with the current student fare program. YaNia shared that the inconsistency of her bus arrival often makes it so she that is tapping on after program hours. She made the statement that, “I’m also a junior coach with the Bicycle Coalition on my Saul team, and Roxborough only has one bus that goes in and out of our school. It’s inconsistent, and so if we run too late, our passes do not work in time for us to get home.”
- RJ Campbell lives just 1.4 miles outside of the eligibility range for the program, and was not originally eligible for the pass. He now has a pass, but is still limited by its hours with working opportunities around the city. “With most of these internships, I end up finishing after 8 o’clock. That either leaves me to use my money to get Ubers, or inconveniences my family to have to leave from work to come and get me, which is not fair to me, and it’s not fair to them”.
Additionally, Councilmember Landau shared, “Students aren’t just students. They’re basketball players in training. They work in the service industry. They’re in the robotics club. They’re volunteering at community gardens, and they’re filling their lives with so much more than just their school education“.
Councilmember Landau was joined by Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, a strong advocate of public transportation, who stated that, “If there’s one group of Philadelphians to provide universal access to first, on the way to that North Star of SEPTA for all, it makes so much sense to start with our students“.
School District of Philadelphia parents, Autumn Fingerhood and Will Tung, spoke on behalf of their children’s experiences and their personal experiences as parents with the program limitations. Will held up his daughter’s SEPTA student fare card, relating its usefulness to that of the magic carriage in the story of Cinderella, which “at 8 pm turns into a pumpkin, useless“. Autumn spoke about her daughter’s experience being a performing arts student at Arts Rush Academy, who often has recitals that end after the program hours end.
Xose Agbadan a Transit Forward Philadelphia fellow, Ryan DeRoche (BCYC Coach), and Mark Laywhyee (SEPTA YAC member) also advocated for universal student fares in Philadelphia on behalf of the students involved in their organizations who have trouble commuting to events due to the limitations of the current student fare program.
City Council member Landau has called for a hearing to discuss a resolution supporting universal student fares, which will take place on the 4th floor of City Hall on April 30th at 9:45 am.
SEPTA has expressed interest in supporting expanding the current student fare program, and is willing to work with the City and the School District to expand transit access to students. Transit Forward Philadelphia is advocating for a universal SEPTA student fare program to make transit more accessible and equitable for all Philadelphia students, similar to student fare programs across the United States.
The press conference was covered by abc6 Action News, Billy Penn at WHYY, City Council News, and KYW News Radio.
How to support/get involved in the universal student fares campaign?
- Learn more about the universal student fare campaign on Transit Forward Philadelphia’s page
- Sign our petition for universal student fares in Philadelphia
- We encourage you to take the city’s budget town hall survey and to sign up for events below or on our calendar
Speak up for universal student fares:
- May 6th (10am-4pm at City Hall) – Public Comment
Budget hearings will be held in person at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), City Hall. Speakers interested in making public testimony should call 215-686-3407 or email Budget.Hearings@phila.gov by 3 p.m. on the day prior to the public testimony session at which they wish to speak and submit the following information:
- Full name (including proper pronunciation and spelling)
- Whether you support or oppose a particular Budget bill or resolution
- Telephone number where you can be reached
- Street address
Neighborhood Budget Town Halls
The City of Philadelphia is also hosting a series of neighborhood budget town halls that Transit Forward Philly will attend and speak up for investments in transit. Please sign up at the links below and we will follow up with next steps.
- April 30th (6pm at the Mummers Museum – 1100 South 2nd Street) – Sign up Here
- May 5th (6pm at Salt & Light Church – 5736 Chester Avenue) – Sign up Here
Have questions on how to get involved? Email Stephen@TransitForwardPhilly.org. Your voice matters and we look forward to working together for a city budget that moves all Philadelphia students.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is a founding partner and managing organization of Transit Forward Philadelphia.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia leads the movement to make every bicycle ride safe, to empower youth and adults to ride, and to foster a ridership that reflects the diversity of the region. Join or renew to continue that advocacy and education work throughout the region. More info here.