There is no application. Instead, participants are randomly selected or enrolled through select community-based organizations.

Philadelphia residents are eligible if:

• They’ve received income-based public benefits.
• They’re between the ages of 18 and 64.

Random selection

About 90% of participants will be randomly selected and automatically enrolled. These participants will receive a pre-activated Zero Fare Key card in the mail.

Enrollment through community organizations

The remaining 10% of participants will be enrolled through designated community-based organizations that serve immigrant and refugee communities in Philadelphia. These participants will receive their Zero Fare Key card from the organization they visit.

We don’t currently offer pickup locations for Zero Fare Key cards. If that changes, we’ll be sure to notify program participants.

To let us know that you don’t want to participate in the program, you can:

• Call (215) 686-4419. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Call 311 and press 5 for assistance. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Email zerofare@phila.gov.

Or, you can cut up and throw away your card once it arrives. The City deactivates all unused cards.

Zero Fare has limited funding during the two-year pilot period. Although you may be eligible based on your income, age, and residency, you weren’t randomly selected through the lottery at this time.

However, enrollment is ongoing through early 2025—so be sure to check your mail!

There’s no activation or registration required for your Zero Fare Key card. You can begin to use it as soon as it arrives in the mail.

You can use your card on all services offered by SEPTA. It works much like a regular SEPTA Key card, so just tap and go!

If you experience any issues with using your card, you can:

• Call (215) 686-4419. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Call 311 and press 5 for assistance. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Email zerofare@phila.gov.

No, you can’t add money to a Zero Fare Key card. Although it’s similar to a SEPTA Key Card, the Zero Fare Key card is a City of Philadelphia fare product and travel funds are preloaded.

The card will cover all SEPTA rides for the duration of the pilot as long as you are age eligible. At the end of the pilot period, the City will contact participants with an update for the future of the program.

No. You shouldn’t share your card with anyone else, including family or other members of your household.

No. The multi-rider feature for SEPTA Key cards is not available on Zero Fare Key cards, so you can’t tap your card multiple times for others traveling with you.

To report a lost, stolen, or damaged card, you can:

• Call (215) 686-4419. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Call 311 and press 5 for assistance. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Email zerofare@phila.gov.

The City will deactivate your card and send you a new one.

If you get an error when you tap your Zero Fare Key card, try to use it again on a different machine. If you still get an error or if another machine isn’t available (for example, on the bus), report the issue by:

• Calling (215) 686-4419 or 311 (press 5 for assistance). Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Emailing zerofare@phila.gov.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Date and approximate time of the issue
• Route information and location
• Error message

The City will investigate the issue and send you a new card if needed.

You should use the Zero Fare Key card while this program is available. However, you should also hold onto your SEPTA Reduced Fare Key card in case you need it in the future.

For more information about this program and how to apply, see the SEPTA Reduced Fare Program or call (215) 580-7145 and press 6.

SEPTA Access rides are covered if you’re an existing rider and selected to participate in Zero Fare. If you’re a SEPTA Access rider, you’ll need to register your SEPTA Access key card with the Zero Fare program. To do so, you can:

• Call (215) 686-4419. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Call 311 and press 5 for assistance. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Email zerofare@phila.gov.

Participants will need to provide their SEPTA Access key card number and SEPTA Access ID number to register.

For more information about paratransit service and shared-ride programs, see the SEPTA Access program.

The Zero Fare program is for program-eligible Philadelphia residents between the ages of 18 and 64. If you’re 65 or older, you’re eligible for a SEPTA Senior Fare card.

For more information about this program and how to apply, see the SEPTA Senior Fare card program or call (215) 580-7145 and press 6.

A pilot program is an initiative that lasts for a short period of time or only includes a small number of participants. By starting Zero Fare as a pilot program, the City can observe what works well and what we may need to improve upon to create the best possible program.

The income threshold is 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (2023), but the program doesn’t keep income data on eligible or selected participants. All eligible residents were entered into a lottery and randomly selected to participate in the two-year pilot program.

You’re eligible for the program if:

• You’re a Philadelphia resident.
• You’re between the ages of 18 and 64.
• You received income-based public benefits.

Thank you for your interest in partnering with the Zero Fare program. As of December 2023, program enrollment through community organizations serving our immigrant and refugee communities is complete for the current program period.

While we’re not partnering with additional organizations right now, we’ll provide updates if any opportunities become available in the future.