5. When can the SEPTA Student Fare Card be used?

• The SEPTA Student Fare Card is active for each designated school day from the hours of 5:30 am to 8:00 pm.
  SEPTA Student Fare Cards will not be operational on national holidays, weekends, and predetermined non-school days.

6. What is a “Tap?”

• A tap is SEPTA’s term for accessing transportation.  It is a contactless way of accessing transportation and recording the transaction using the SEPTA Student Fare Card.
• Students “Tap” their SEPTA Student Fare Card at the platform or turnstile validator as they board each mode of transportation. This opens the trip.
• Each SEPTA Student Fare Card is programmed with a maximum of eight taps per day.
  • School officials should notify the Department of Transportation Services regarding any student who requires more than eight daily taps.

9. Who will be responsible for SEPTA Student Fare Card management?

• Each participating school will identify a point person who will be responsible for managing the SEPTA Student Fare Card. The point person will be responsible for assigning and distributing the SEPTA Student Fare Card to students, and reporting issues to the Department of Transportation Services.

10. Will the schools need to share a letter with parents informing them of the SEPTA Student Fare Card?

• Schools will receive a communication package that includes a letter that may be shared with all families.
• The Department of Transportation will also send parents a letter with details of the SEPTA Student Fare Card.

11. What does the school do with the SEPTA Student Fare Cards when they are delivered?

• Similar to the weekly Transpass, each school needs to securely store their SEPTA Student Fare Card inventory until the cards have been assigned and distributed to students.

12.How should the school assign/distribute SEPTA Student Fare Cards to students?

• School officials will be trained on the new SEPTA Student Fare Card application which allows them to assign individual SEPTA Student Fare Cards to students based on their transportation eligibility status.
• Before the start of the school year, all SEPTA Student Fare Cards will be pre-loaded with an assigned temporary calendar with limited funding and distributed to schools.
• At the start of the school year, a school official will pre-assign the SEPTA Student Fare Cards to all eligible students before distributing the cards. Those assigned SEPTA Student Fare Card numbers must later be entered in the SEPTA Student Fare Card Application for each student, by the school official. Please note, all assigned SEPTA Student Fare Card numbers must be entered in the SEPTA Student Fare Card Application by September 24th for the cards to remain active.
• During the school year, SEPTA Student Fare Cards that have been assigned to students via the application, before 3 pm, will be sent to SEPTA for activation and should be active for the following school day.  Any card assigned to a student after the 3 pm cut-off will not become active until the following evening.
• For all newer students enrolled in the school after September 24th, a Transportation Action Request (TAR) must be submitted in Compass by the school official. The new student’s assigned SEPTA Student Fare Card will become activated 3-4 days after the TAR has been processed. Please note, the TAR process can take up to 10 business days.

13. Will the school be issued weekly Transpasses?

• No, the SEPTA Student Fare Cards replace weekly Transpasses. However, schools will also be provided with two-trip passes to use as a backup in case problems arise. Schools will need to manage and securely store the two-trip passes that have been issued.

15. Will there be training for the schools about this change and how it works?

• Schools will receive a package that includes a training video and stepper for the SEPTA Student Fare Card Application, a list of frequently asked questions, and a letter that may be shared with all families.
• A slide is available for all schools on the Transportation Website at this link: https://www.philasd.org/transportation/septa-student-fare-card/

17. Will I have to Re-assign all new cards for my students?

• No, all cards that were assigned to students in the previous school year will activate at the beginning of the new school year. New students, students who have lost or have damaged cards, and students who use Regional Rail will need to have new cards assigned.

20. How is a SEPTA Student Fare Card activated?

• To activate a SEPTA Student Fare Card the designated school official assigns the Fare Card number to an eligible student in the Fare Card Application.

21. What is the Fare Card Application?

• The Fare Card Application is the program that manages the SEPTA Student Fare Card activities. The application is where school officials will assign each student their SEPTA Student Fare Card.

22. How do schools get access to the SEPTA Student Fare Card application?

• The Department of Transportation Services is working with each school to determine who at their location requires access to the new Fare Card application.
• The Fare Card application is accessible through the Single Sign-On screen.
• Send an email to transpass@philasd.org to provide the school official’s contact information.

23. When will eligible students in Compass be listed in the SEPTA Student Fare Card application? 

• This should occur 48 hours after a student is enrolled in the Student Information System (SIS) for SDP students.
• The TAR may take 3-4 days to be processed through the Compass system for Charter and Non-Public students.
• Schools will receive an allotment of SEPTA two-trip passes that they can use at their discretion to bridge any anticipated transportation delays.

24. How does a student ride in the afternoon when a SEPTA Student Fare Card is assigned that day, but not active until the next morning?  

• At the start of the school year, all fare cards come preloaded with a limited monetary value to facilitate the school opening process. The cards can be used on SEPTA services during school opening before activation.
• During the school year, schools will receive two-trip passes and can use them at their discretion to bridge any emergency transportation situations.

25. How does a school official know which students should receive SEPTA Student Fare Cards?

• The Department of Transportation Services utilizes the Compass system to determine each student’s eligibility to receive free transportation services. Schools must update student information to reflect accurate card counts.
• The new SEPTA Student Fare Card application only lists students who are eligible in Compass to receive a Student Fare Card.
• No Compass processes/procedures will be modified due to the implementation of the SEPTA Student Fare Card system.

26. Will new SEPTA Student Fare Cards be needed for all students at the start of each school year?

• Students who remain eligible for transportation services and are enrolled in the same school as the previous school year will be able to utilize their SEPTA Student Fare Card for the new school year.
• Students who are enrolled in a new school from the previous school year will need to be re-evaluated for eligibility. If deemed eligible, those students will require a new SEPTA Student Fare Card assigned to them for the new school year.

27. Can a school official accidentally enter the same SEPTA Student Fare Card number for two different students?

• No, the SEPTA Student Fare Card application does not allow the same SEPTA Student Fare Card number to be assigned to more than one student.

28. Can a school official enter an invalid SEPTA Student Fare Card number into the system?

• No, the SEPTA Student Fare Card application only accepts Fare Card numbers that have been assigned to that school.

29. A school official assigned a student a SEPTA Student Fare Card and the card did not work. What are the next steps for the official?

• Access the SEPTA Student Fare Card application and check that the SEPTA Student Fare Card number assigned to the student in the application matches the number on the SEPTA Student Fare Card given to the student.
  • If the numbers match, and the card is listed as active; either the school resource or the student needs to fill out the SEPTA Fare Card Issues Form.
    • Request that the student tries and use the SEPTA Student Fare Card again and provide the student a SEPTA two-trip pass just in case the card does not work.
    • If the SEPTA Student Fare Card again does not work, school resources should list the card as damaged and assign the student a new SEPTA Student Fare Card. The new SEPTA Student Fare Card should be active the next day.
  • If the number in the SEPTA Student Fare Card application does not match the student’s card, locate the assigned SEPTA Student Fare Card and give the student the correct SEPTA Student Fare Card.
  • Check the original SEPTA Student Fare Card given to the student in the SEPTA Student Fare Card application, to determine if it is unassigned. If it has not been assigned it can be put back into your inventory and used at a later time.
    • If it has been assigned to another student, you may have to contact the student and see if they are missing their SEPTA Student Fare Card or if there are any issues with their SEPTA Student Fare Card.

30. How is a SEPTA Student Fare Card deactivated?

• A SEPTA Student Fare Card is deactivated when the student withdrawals from the attending school and/or the eligibility status is changed in Compass. The Compass system will remove that student from the SEPTA Student Fare Card Application, deactivating the card. Please note, for Non-Public schools, the student must be removed from Compass by the school official.

31. What happens when a SEPTA Student Fare Card is lost, stolen, or damaged?

• Schools will be given an inventory and have the ability to distribute replacement cards to students who report their assigned SEPTA Student Fare Card as lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Schools will need to report cards as lost, stolen, or damaged in the SEPTA Student Fare Card application. Reported cards will be sent to SEPTA weekly for deactivation.
• After an assigned SEPTA Student Fare Card has been marked as lost, stolen, or damaged in the SEPTA Student Fare Card application, the school can assign a replacement card to the student, which will be active for the next school day.
• The damaged Fare Card should be cut in half and properly disposed of by the school, it does not have to be returned to the Department of Transportation Services.
  Schools can purchase Septa two-trip passes that they can use at their discretion to bridge any emergency transportation situation.

32. When are SEPTA Student Fare Cards automatically deactivated?

• The SEPTA Student Fare Card is deactivated when the following occurs;
  • An SDP student is withdrawn from the school in the School District’s Student Information System.
  • A Charter student is withdrawn from the school in the School District’s Student Information System’s Charter Module.
  • A Non-Public student is removed from the Compass system by the school official when the student has withdrawn from the school.
  • An SDP, Charter or Non-Public student is determined in the Compass system to no longer be eligible for free transportation services (i.e. change of address).

33. My Fare Card stopped working at the end of the school year.

• The Yellow Fare Cards are active only during the school year and will not work during the summer.

34. What should I do with my card after the school year is over?

• Keep the Yellow Fare Card. These Fare Cards will not be active during the summer. However, at the beginning of the following school year, the cards will be loaded with a new calendar and activated at the start of classes.

35. Will students be responsible for their assigned SEPTA Student Fare Card?

• Yes, each student is responsible for their SEPTA Student Fare Card and expected to maintain the card for the duration of their time enrolled in the school.

36. How do students gain access to transportation if there is a problem with the SEPTA Student Fare Card and/or SEPTA hardware?  Will the operator permit them to ride?

• Students can show the SEPTA Operator the SEPTA Student Fare Card and at the Operator’s discretion, the student may be permitted to access free transportation services.
• Ridership issues should be reported by the student to the school as soon as possible.
• Students should complete the SEPTA Student Fare Card Issue Tracking Form which is available on the SEPTA Student Fare Card website at the following link: www.philasd.org/transportation/septa-student-fare-card/

37. Will students have access to transportation if the SEPTA Student Fare Card was lost/forgotten?

• The student will be responsible for getting to and from school that day.
• Replacement cards should be issued at the school’s discretion.

38. Will there be resources for the parents to reference this change and how it works?

• A slide deck will be available for all families on the Transportation Website at the link: www.philasd.org/transportation/septa-student-fare-card/

39. Is there anything students/families need to do from home to prepare for the program?

• Addresses provided to the school are utilized to determine eligibility. Parents/families should communicate any address change to the school.

40. Will parents/guardians be given a SEPTA Student Fare Card to ride with their children to/from school?

• No, SEPTA Student Fare Cards will only be issued to enrolled students who have been deemed eligible for transportation.

41. When will SEPTA Student Fare Cards be delivered to the schools? 

• A delivery schedule will be posted on the Department of Transportation Services website on July 16, 2021, at the following link:
  www.philasd.org/transportation/septa-student-fare-card/

42. Is there a limited number of SEPTA Student Fare Cards a student is allowed per school year?

• Distribution is at the school’s discretion.  Each school will receive an inventory of SEPTA Student Fare Cards responsible for managing and securely storing.

43. How many SEPTA Student Fare Cards will schools receive?

• Schools will receive twice as many SEPTA Student Fare Cards as their total amount of eligible students.  Schools will be responsible to manage and securely store their inventory.

44. What is the difference between the Blue Fare Cards and the Yellow Fare Cards?

• Yellow Fare Cards that are meant to be used during the School Year and will not work during summer school. The new Blue Fare Cards will only work when Summer School is active.

45. Where can my child get a “Blue” Summer Fare Card?

• Blue Fare Cards will be distributed in the Summer to participating schools to distribute to their students who qualify. Students should ask their administrative office for information on the Summer Fare Cards.

46. How does my child qualify for a “Blue” Summer Fare Card?

• Please speak to your schools transportation administrator to determine whether your student qualifies for a Blue Fare Card for use during summer school.

47. Can I upgrade my “Blue” Summer Fare Card for Regional Rail?

• Yes, Blue Fare Cards can be upgraded to support regional rail services. Please review the accessing Regional Rail section of the FAQ.

48. Does my “Blue” Summer Fare Card need to be activated by the school?

• No, Blue Fare Cards will be active from the moment they are given to the schools for distribution. No further action is needed from the school-based team.

49. I lost my “Blue” Summer Fare Card. What do I do?

• Please reach out to your schools administrative office to request a new Blue Fare Card

50. My “Blue” Summer Fare Card does not work. What should I do?

• In the event your Blue Fare Card is no longer working please reach out to your schools administrative office to receive a replacement card.

51. Can I use my “Blue” Summer Fare Card through the new school year?

• No, Blue Fare Cards will only work during the summer of the current year. At the end of the summer school program, the cards will be deactivated

52. What holidays are blocked on all SEPTA Student Fare Cards?

• In addition to published school holidays no SEPTA Student, Fare Card is operational on the dates below. If your school needs SEPTA Student Fare Cards activated for any of these dates, please have a school official send an email to transpass@philasd.org. Please review the school calendar for additional days that the SEPTA Student Fare Card is not operational.

Dates of Blocked National Holidays:

Thursday, November 24th – Thanksgiving
Monday, December 25th – Christmas
Monday, January 1st – New Year’s Day
Monday, January 15th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 21st – President’s Day
Monday, May 30th – Memorial Day

SEPTA Student Fare Card Webpage

SEPTA Student Fare Card Presentation

SEPTA Student Fare Card Videos

SEPTA Student Fare Card Issue Tracking Form

SEPTA Student Fare Card Distribution Delivery Schedule

53. I lost my Yellow Fare Card that I had last year what should I do?

• If you do not have your Yellow Fare Card from your previous school year you can reach out to your schools administrative office to verify that you still qualify for transportation. If you still qualify for Transportation you will be issued a new card.

54. I still have the Yellow Fare Card that was give to me last year. Do I need a new card?

• No, if you still have your Yellow Fare Card from the previous year, attend the same school, and are still eligible for Transportation this card will work at the beginning of the new school year.

55. My Yellow Fare Card from last year does not work anymore. What should I do?

• If your Yellow Fare Card from your previous school year does not work you can reach out to your school to confirm that you still qualify for transportation and receive a new card.

56.  My Yellow Fare Card did not work over the summer.

• Yellow Fare Cards will only work during the School year.
• Blue Fare Cards have been distributed for students participating in Summer School.

57. I am attending a new school at the beginning of the school year. Will my old card from my previous school work?

• No, if you have changed schools you will need to have a new card assigned to you. Please reach out to your schools administrative office to verify eligibility and receive a new Yellow Fare Card.