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SEPTA Key

The Flexible Way to Pay

Effective July 1, 2023 - SEPTA Key cardholders receive a SECOND FREE TRANSFER when using Travel Wallet. And a Weekly and Monthly TransPass includes travel to/from all Zone 1, Airport Line, and Center City stations! Click for map!

Need to register, reload, check your balance, or adjust your autoload setting? Click here.

Check the date on your SEPTA Key card. Some SEPTA Key cards are set to expire at the end of this month. For instructions on what to do - scroll down.

Scroll down to learn about SEPTA Key Tix - a new and convenient way to pay using your smartphone!

To keep our region moving productively - SEPTA has developed a trio of cost-saving Partner Programs thoughtfully engineered for employers, colleges and universities, and social agencies. Scroll down to learn more!

Don't just tap your SEPTA Key. Flash it for money saving Perks!

Have a question about SEPTA Key? We bet you aren't the first to ask. Check out this list of frequently asked questions. Don't see what you're looking for? Email us at [email protected].

Tell Me More - Including Fare Options!

The SEPTA Key card is a very different take on our current magnetic stripe passes, tokens (remember tokens?) and paper transfers (remember those?). This reloadable, contactless chip card offers a host of options for seamless travel and the self-serve flexibility of loading/reloading SEPTA fares to match your travel needs. Hate standing in line at a sales window? You can reload fares through the SEPTA Key website, at station Fare Kiosks, the SEPTA Key Customer Call Center, SEPTA Sales Offices, and from external sales outlets. The Key card can be set up with auto-load to automatically purchase the SEPTA fare you always use or you can make fare purchases as you need them - it's your choice.

Right now, you have the option of loading a Weekly or Monthly TrailPass, a Cross County Pass, a Weekly or Monthly TransPass, a One Day FleX (Anywhere and Neighborhood), a One Day FleX Pass 3-Day Bundle (Anywhere and Neighborhood), One Day Convenience Pass, a Three Day Convenience Pass, and/or Travel Wallet on your SEPTA Key. Travel Wallet allows you to pay as you go versus using a weekly or monthly pass. The benefit of the Travel Wallet is that you'll receive a discount for each ride and when riding Transit (bus, trolley, subway/elevated, and high speed) and two free transfers.  A transfer is when a rider takes a single one-way trip on transit and then changes to a different transit line or service within two hours of that trip. Both free transfers must be taken within two hours of your first tap. Transfers do not apply to Regional Rail trips.

The SEPTA Key card can be used for travel on ALL SEPTA modes including: Regional Rail, Buses, Trolleys, Trackless Trolleys, Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line/Broad Ridge Spur, and Norristown High Speed Line.

For SEPTA Key Customer Service, please call the number printed on the back of your card 1-855-567-3782.

Oh! And you're probably wondering why is there a Mastercard® logo on your SEPTA Key card? If you choose, you can use your SEPTA Key for non-travel purchases by activating and funding the Mastercard® Debit feature.

The SEPTA Key Prepaid Mastercard® is issued by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Where can I get a SEPTA Key?

You can get a SEPTA Key card from any Fare Kiosk or SEPTA Sales Office. Or at an External Retail Location. Click for locations. 

Fare Kiosks can be found in all of our Broad Street and Market-Frankford Line Stations, at Bus Loops, at Center City Regional Rail Stations (Temple University, Jefferson Station, Suburban Station, 30th Street Station and Penn Medicine Station) and at the Airport. Kiosks accept cash, credit, debit and tokens. You can also use Apple Pay, Google Pay, & Samsung Pay to purchase/reload a SEPTA Key card at a Fare Kiosk.

SEPTA Key cards are also available at the major SEPTA Sales & Ticket Offices.

Please note, it costs $4.95 to get a Key card. As an incentive to protect your Pass or Travel Wallet funds, against loss or theft, SEPTA offers a reimbursement when you register a new Key card. If you register your Key card within 30 days of the purchase date, the $4.95 fee will automatically be applied to your Key card Travel Wallet which can be used immediately to pay for individual rides or towards the future purchase of any pass. Limited to two cards per customer account. You can register your card online at SEPTAKey.org or by calling the Key Customer Call Center at 1-855-567-3782.

SEPTA Key cards are also available (for $4.95) at a number of External Retail locations. We have created a map showing all of the locations that will be updated regularly as new retailers join the SEPTA Key sales network.

How Do I Reload?

SEPTA Key cards can be reloaded at SEPTA Sales Offices, online, at Fare Kiosks, over the phone, and at external retail locations. Click here to find the SEPTA sales and External Retail Locations closest to you.

Loading a pass or funds to your Key card at a Fare Kiosk is easy. To begin, just tap your card at the contactless reader below the Fare Kiosk screen and then follow the prompts. The Fare Kiosks and the major SEPTA Sales Offices accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. You can also use Apple Pay, Google Pay, & Samsung Pay to purchase/reload a SEPTA Key card at a Fare Kiosk or Sales Office. Fare Kiosks also accept tokens. Each token is worth $2.

You can also go online to the SEPTA Key website (www.septakey.org) to reload. Best part - you can opt for auto-reload so that you never have to worry. In order to use the auto-load feature you will need to have a credit card or bank account to use as your payment source. Please remember that if you are using a bank account or debit card for auto-load, you must have sufficient funds in the account you choose to draw against in order for the feature to work properly.

You can also call the SEPTA Key Customer Call Center at 855-567-3782 to reload.

You can also reload your SEPTA Key card at a number of External Retail locations. We have created a map showing all of the locations that will be updated regularly as new retailers join the SEPTA Key sales network.

Do I Need to Register My SEPTA Key?

You don't need to, but you should. Registering your SEPTA Key card is easy and it offers protection and peace of mind so you never have to worry if your card is ever lost or stolen. This protection allows you to report your lost or stolen Key card online or over the phone, and move your pass products and/or Travel Wallet to a replacement card. Plus SEPTA will reimburse the $4.95 purchase fee if you register your Key card within 30 days of the purchase date. The $4.95 fee will automatically be applied to your Key card Travel Wallet. These funds can then be used to pay for individual rides or towards the future purchase of a TransPass, TrailPass, One Day Independence Pass, or One Day Convenience Pass. This reimbursement does not apply to any SEPTA Key cards obtained prior to May 4, 2018 and will be limited to two cards per customer account.

No need to worry, signing up is simple and it's free.

To register your Key card, you must first create an account. To do this, go to the Key site www.septakey.org and click "create an account" in the blue box on the top left side of the homepage. This will bring you to the Account Registration page. Fill in the fields with your information. Follow the prompts on the screen until you've completed the account creation process. Once you are done, you will receive an email to confirm the creation of your account. Click the link "Confirm Registration" in the email and then your account will be ready to go. Now return to the SEPTA Key website homepage and log in by entering your User ID and Password in the blue "LOGIN" box and hitting enter. You will see a red icon on the left that says "Register Key card." Click the link and fill out the information on the page to register your Key card to your account. "Key card" means your Key card number, which is the 16-digit number on the front of your Key card. You will also need to choose a PIN for your card (like you would for an ATM card) that you will use if you have a question or inquiry about your Key card in the future. Once you have entered all of the required information, click "Submit" and your Key card is now registered to your account. Once you've set up an account and registered your Key card you will be able to use the site to manage your Key card including loading/reloading fare products and reviewing your trip history.

The website is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Card to Card Replacement is available on www.septakey.org if you have a registered SEPTA Key card that is lost or expired. It just takes a few clicks and all Passes and Travel Wallet balances will transfer to your new card. If the new card already has funds in the Travel Wallet, the amount that you transfer will be added to the existing balance. If you had Autoload set on the old card your new card will automatically be set to Autoload.

Travel Wallet

The Travel Wallet is the perfect option for customers who currently use cash or tokens or tickets. It's also a convenient choice for riders who may only need SEPTA a few days a week or month as well as occasional customers because it eliminates the need to go out and buy tokens or tickets or have exact change/small bills. Your SEPTA Key card loaded with money in the Travel Wallet will always have the correct fare to pay for your ride. For added convenience, you can autoload money to the Travel Wallet. There's no need to get a new card until it expires.

As soon as you put money in the Travel Wallet on your SEPTA Key card you can tap on the validator on a SEPTA Bus, Trolley, or Trackless Trolley farebox or Market-Frankford, Broad Street/Broad-Ridge Spur, Norristown High Speed Line, or Regional Rail turnstile/platform validator. If your trip requires a transfer - you can seamlessly tap your Key card on the validator for your connecting trip to receive two free transfers for transit only. A transfer is when a rider takes a single one-way trip on transit and then changes to a different transit line or service within two hours of that trip. Both free transfers must be taken within two hours of your first tap. Transfers do not apply to Regional Rail trips. 

You can load/reload your Travel Wallet at all SEPTA Sales Offices, Station and Bus Loop Fare Kiosks, online through the SEPTA Key website, or the SEPTA Key Customer Call Center.

Funds in your Travel Wallet can only be used to pay for one (1) person, including transfers. It cannot be tapped multiple times to pay for anyone traveling with you. You can have both a current TransPass, TailPass, Cross County, One Day Independence, or Convenience Pass and money in a Travel Wallet on a SEPTA Key card but you will not be able to access the Travel Wallet funds if there are still rides left on your Pass.

Please don't forget to register your SEPTA Key card to protect the funds in your Travel Wallet in the event your card is ever lost or stolen.

Additional Information: Travel Wallet FAQ's

Regional Rail

You can load Travel Wallet, a Monthly, Weekly or One Day FleX Pass (or bundle) to any SEPTA Key card. You can also purchase a single trip ticket - called a Quick Trip - from a Fare Kiosk at the Airport, Penn Medicine Station, 30th Street Station, Suburban Station, Jefferson Station, and Temple University Station.

Click here for the SEPTA Regional Rail Zone Map.

Monthly TrailPasses have a 240 ride limit. Weekly TrailPasses have 56 ride limit. One Day FleX Passes have 10 ride limit.

We also offer a One Day FleX Pass Bundle which gives you three (3) One Day FleX Passes - at a discount. Each FleX Pass in the bundle is activated by the first tap (it works when you work). The remaining passes in the bundle can be used at any time and will only be activated when the Key Card is tapped at a farebox or turnstile.

If you're coming into the city, you need to "tap on" at your home station. Look for the validators on the platform. When you arrive at a Center City Station - you will tap at a turnstile to close your trip. On your return trip - you will tap your SEPTA Key card at a Center City Station turnstile to start your trip and when you arrive at your destination you must tap your card on the platform validator to close your trip.  

If you're beginning your day in Center City, you will need to tap your SEPTA Key at a turnstile at a Center City Station to start your trip. When you arrive at your destination you must tap your card on the platform validator to close your trip. On your return trip, you will tap your SEPTA Key card at the platform validator to start your trip. When you arrive in Center City - you will tap at the turnstile to close your trip.

If you forget to tap before boarding the train - ask the Conductor to tap your SEPTA Key on his/her handheld device.

If you do not tap and tap off - you risk being charged the max fare (Zone 4) for the trip. 

You can buy a SEPTA Key card and load/reload fare products at Regional Rail Ticket Offices during regular Ticket Office Hours and from the Fare Kiosks at the Airport, Penn Medicine Station, 30th Street Station, Suburban Station, Jefferson Station, and Temple University Station.

Added Perks

SEPTA Key cards are accepted as part of SEPTA's Perks* program. To learn more, click here.

Quick Trips

Quick Trips are available to purchase from Fare Kiosks at Market-Frankford Line and Broad Street Line stations as well as at the Airport, Penn Medicine Station, 30th Street Station, Suburban Station, Jefferson Station, and Temple University Station. A Quick Trip is a single ride fare, for one (1) person, (no transfers) that can be used for travel on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street/Broad Ridge Spur Line ($2.50 each) and on Regional Rail (price varies by zone and time of day). A Quick Trip gives riders the option to purchase their fare in the station without worrying about having a token, ticket, or exact change/cash beforehand. A Quick Trip is a disposable magnetic strip ticket that customers can swipe at the new Key turnstiles. A Quick Trip is valid for one-way travel, and must be used on the day it is purchased. Quick Trip tickets can be used for travel at any MFL/BSL station for use at any MFL/BSL station and at any Center City Regional Rail Station for use on Regional Rail.

Again - Quick Trip tickets must be used on the date of purchase. Date-of-purchase details are printed on the ticket. Also, a Quick Trip cannot be used in combination with a transfer.

Quick Trips are not reusable or reloadable so please, help us keep the SEPTA system clean and throw your used Quick Trip in the station trash can before you board the train.

Seniors

Seniors (65 years old or older) ride FREE all day, every day on SEPTA Buses, Trolleys, Subways, AND Regional Rail with a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card.

You can apply for a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card at:

SEPTA Headquarters (Lower Lobby)

1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA

Cards are issued or renewed are by appointment only. Appointments can be made two ways:

Appointments will be in the lower lobby of SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market Street. Appointment times are between 8AM and 5PM weekdays.

Participating Legislative Offices: New applications can also be submitted at participating Pennsylvania Senate and House offices in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Check with your legislator’s office for times and requirements. 

If you come to 1234 Market, you will receive your SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card that same day. If you prefer to go to your legislator's office, you will receive your card in the mail in approximately 4 weeks

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, all SEPTA Key Senior Fare Cards that expired between January 2020 and December 2022 have been extended until the same expiration month in 2023. Learn more here.

 

SEPTA Key Partner Programs

To keep our region moving productively - SEPTA has developed a trio of cost-saving programs thoughtfully engineered for employers, colleges and universities, and social agencies.

Each program offers unique benefits for both the organization and the rider.

SEPTA Key Advantage Pass logo
for: all eligible employees and college/university students

This universal benefit program offers employers and colleges/universities the ability to purchase deeply discounted All-Access Passes for employees and students. Passes are purchased electronically and loaded right onto individuals’ SEPTA Key cards.

SEPTA Key Commuter Pass logo
for: all interested employees and college/university students

This opt-in benefit program offers monthly fare products and Travel Wallet for employees and college/university students. Fare products are purchased by employers and colleges/universities electronically on a monthly basis and loaded right onto individuals’ SEPTA Key cards.

SEPTA Key Partner Pass logo
for: clients of social agencies and non-profits, and special event attendees

This benefit program allows social agencies to pre-purchase and distribute paper passes in bulk on an as-needed basis. (NOTE: Partner Passes are not for resale.)

Choosing the best program for you and/or your organization is easy. Download our SEPTA Key Partner Program Guide for further details on each program and helpful “Program Selector”.

SEPTA Key Tix

Available in the official SEPTA App - SEPTA Key Tix is THE new and convenient way to pay for one or up to five (5) people using your smartphone!

Use a credit or debit card to download a QR-code “ticket” that can be read at fareboxes and turnstiles. Note: You cannot use Travel Wallet to purchase a SEPTA Key Tix. 

Best part - SEPTA Key Tix gives families and friends traveling together the capability to scan once and pay fares for up to five (5) riders using a single barcode! 

SEPTA Key Tix does not replace SEPTA Key cards - but instead provides a way for occasional - and regular - riders without a SEPTA Key card to enjoy some of the same benefits as cardholders - including a $2 fare and one free transfer per transit trip. 

SEPTA Key Tix is available within the SEPTA App for trips on buses, trolleys, the Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, and Norristown High Speed Line. 

Not available on Regional Rail - yet! Click here for a how-to.

More info here.

Expired Key Card

SEPTA Key cards have an expiration date. So please take a moment to check the "GOOD THRU" date on the front of your card. If your card is not already registered, we recommend you do so immediately at septakey.org. Registering your card not only protects your card if it's misplaced, it also makes it much easier to transfer any Travel Wallet funds or unused passes. Instructions on how to register can be found above.

If you have a registered SEPTA Key card, you can move funds and passes to a new card online at septakey.org. It just takes a few clicks and all passes and Travel Wallet balances will transfer to your new card. If the new card already has funds in the Travel Wallet, the amount that you transfer will be added to the existing balance. If you had Autoload set on the old card your new card will automatically be set to Autoload.

Before you can transfer the fare product(s) on an expiring SEPTA Key card you will need to:

Purchase a new SEPTA Key card. You can purchase a new SEPTA Key card at Fare Kiosk or at a Regional Rail Sales Location or Ticket Office. You can also go to one of the External Retailers that sell SEPTA Key cards. You will need to pay the $4.95 purchase fee but if you register the card within 30 days, this amount will be credited to your Travel Wallet for use at a later time

Register your new SEPTA Key card to your existing account.

Once you have a new SEPTA Key card, you have three options to transfer your fares:

1. Visit a SEPTA Sales Location - you can buy a new card and have your fare product(s) transferred on the spot in one transaction.

2. Call the SEPTA Key Customer Call Center (855-567-3782) (please note it can take up to 48 hours to process this request). Please note the Call Center cannot process unused passes. This transfer can only be completed at a SEPTA Sales Location.

3. Card to Card Replacement - Log on to your SEPTA Key Account and go to My Account then follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the card that is expiring then go to Card Options and click on Expiring Key Card

Step 2: Select Expiring as the reason for deactivating it and hit Proceed. You will see the message that you can transfer available funds to another card after you deactivate your current card.

Step 3: The Proceed action takes you to the Card Replacement screen. If you have another SEPTA Key card associated with your account, select the existing Key Card option and click Confirm. If you don't have any other cards linked to your account, you can select Register a New Card and click Confirm. You will receive a confirmation that all pass products and Travel Wallet funds have been transferred from your expiring card to the card you selected. Once you have completed this process, please destroy your deactivated card and begin using the SEPTA Key card with your transferred fare products.

If your card expires and it is unregistered, your only option is to contact the SEPTA Key Customer Call Center at 855-567-3782 to request a credit/refund for any unused Travel Wallet funds - so please remember to register your SEPTA Key card.