SEPTA announced plans to reinstate parking fees at its facilities starting this fall.
The move by the regional transit agency ends a four-year period of free parking intended to draw riders back to public transit.
Beginning in a few weeks, daily parking rates at SEPTA-owned surface lots will double from $1 to $2. However, parking will remain free on weekends and major holidays including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
“These fees will help offset parking lot maintenance costs as we continue to do our part to generate revenue in the midst of a funding crisis,” said SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards. “We understand how increasing fees could impact riders, but we hope they will still see public transit as an overall value – saving time and money compared to driving a vehicle.”
The decision follows the SEPTA Board’s approval in June of a $12.3 million contract awarded to Flowbird America Inc. The contract aims to overhaul the parking system, enhancing fee collection and improving customer convenience.
The revamped system will offer multiple payment options, including a new “SEPTA Park” mobile app, payment kiosks at stations that accept credit/debit cards and coins, and a text message payment option.
SEPTA said they will provide detailed instructions at stations and deploy ambassadors to assist customers during the transition.
Enforcement of the new parking fees will be managed through vehicle-mounted cameras that read license plates. Parking enforcement officers will issue warnings or violations for improperly parked vehicles.
The phased reintroduction of parking fees will begin at Bucks County stations on these dates:
- Cornwells Heights, Croydon, and Woodbourne Stations on Monday, October 7.
- Warminster, Langhorne, and Yardley Stations on Wednesday, October 9.
- Trevose and Neshaminy Falls Stations on Thursday, October 17.
- Doylestown Station on Friday, October 25.
- Levittown and Bristol Stations on Monday, November 4.
