SEPTA introducing new Key card service to seniors

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Seniors will now be able to join other riders transitioning to the SEPTA Key, SEPTA said Friday in a press release. According to the public transit agency, the first new Senior Photo Identification cards are going being distributed next week.

The cards will allow seniors to "tap-and-go" for all of their free trips on SEPTA subways, buses, trolleys, and applicable discounted Regional Rail fares without having to show their ID to a cashier or operator.

The Senior Photo ID Card is similar to other SEPTA Key cards, including a contactless chip that works by tapping the validators at turnstiles and on-board vehicles.

Eventually, the SEPTA Senior Key Card will replace the Pennsylvania Senior Citizen Transit ID, Pennsylvania Driver's License, and Non-Driver's Identification, Medicare Cards, and Railroad Retirement Cards.

According to the press release, the 40,000 seniors who applied for their Key cards will receive them via mail over the course of the next month, with approximately 10,000 cards sent out every week.

Once seniors receive their new card, they should discard their paper Pa. Senior Citizen Transit ID, if they use that form of identification they use for travel on SEPTA.

However, SEPTA will still accept their current Pennsylvania Senior Citizen Transit ID, Pennsylvania Driver's License, and Non-Driver's Identification, Medicare Cards, and Railroad Retirement Cards.

Advance notice will be given before SEPTA stops accepting those forms of ID for senior travel.

Seniors can apply for a SEPTA Key Senior Photo ID Card at a number of locations, including g SEPTA Headquarters at 1234 Market Street and the offices of many local elected officials.

Pennsylvania state representatives, senators and others are making a huge effort to help seniors apply, with their offices taking in more than 10,000 applications and photos to date.

You can also visit http://www.septa.org/key/index.html for more information.