About 1 in 7 Philadelphians are age 65 or older, and that share is predicted to rise within the coming years. This demographic shift underscores the significance of various transit choices tailor-made to the wants of older adults.
Older adults already make up a “vital” portion of the ridership for public transit, mentioned Andrew Busch, SEPTA’s director of media relations.
“ simply April, our newest numbers obtainable, present about 750,000 buyer journeys a day,” he mentioned. “So, seniors can be 7 to 9% of that, so within the 60,000-plus vary per day.”
So what transit sources exist in Philly for getting older adults? What about transportation for these with mobility points?
Billy Penn solutions a number of the commonest questions on this explainer, a part of WHYY’s Rising Golden sequence about getting older in Philadelphia.
SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card
SEPTA gives a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card for these 65 and older. With this card, senior riders can entry free transit always on SEPTA buses, trolley strains and the Norristown Excessive Velocity line. They’ll additionally get free transit for all SEPTA Regional Rail strains that journey to and from stations in Pennsylvania, and 50% off fare for providers that journey to or from New Jersey or Delaware.
Busch mentioned SEPTA is exclusive in that there aren’t any modifications to the free fares throughout peak instances or holidays – it’s at all times free to trip buses, trolleys and the Norristown Excessive Velocity line for seniors.
Seniors can apply for or renew current playing cards at taking part State Senate and State Home district workplaces. Speedy, in-person appointments are additionally obtainable on the SEPTA Headquarters at 1234 Market Avenue. There are appointments between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays (with a break from midday to 1 p.m. for lunch). You possibly can schedule a SEPTA appointment by way of their web site, or choose “6” after calling 215-580-7145.
For these renewing an outdated card or making use of for a brand new card, it’s essential to carry proof of age – a driver’s license, ID card or beginning certificates.
SEPTA CCT Join program
Registered seniors can even use this “paratransit” system – or public transit that gives individualized rides with out a mounted route or sure schedule. The CCT program, also referred to as SEPTA Entry, serves each seniors and people with disabilities.
The CCT’s Shared-Experience Program offers door-to-door ridesharing providers for any Philadelphia resident who’s 65 or older. The service gives rides throughout the metropolis, and to wherever inside 3 miles of town’s border, together with Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties.
Rides have to be scheduled prematurely to make sure “well timed” coordination between drivers and program individuals. Prospects pay a $4.25 one-way fare for every journey.
Busch defined there are some necessities to make sure seniors can use these providers – together with correct documentation from a doctor.
“You’re going to should undergo, ensuring that you just’re permitted for service,” he mentioned. “[That involves] having documentation that’s required out of your doctor, and our employees will enable you to perceive what you want for that and the way to go about it, after which as quickly as doable after that we’ll get you happening the service.”
Seniors who’re focused on making use of can obtain and print an English or Spanish model of the shape on the SEPTA web site, or request a type by calling 215-580-7145 and urgent “6”. After filling out an utility, seniors should schedule an appointment at SEPTA headquarters (by calling 215-580-7145) and produce a suitable type of ID (driver’s license, non-license ID card, beginning certificates, and so on.).
For seniors outdoors of this service space or who don’t qualify for this service, they’ll contact their county’s coordinator. Data for these areas are connected beneath.
Bucks County Transport: 215-794-5554
Chester County Krapf Transport: 610-431-1500
Delaware County Neighborhood Transit: 610-490-3960
Montgomery County TransNet: 215-542-7433
Pennsylvania Division of Ageing
Different components of the state have their very own Space Businesses on Ageing – specializing in providers for getting older populations in native communities. These organizations present transit sources relying on the world. Yow will discover your native company on getting older’s sources right here.
Metropolis of Philadelphia/SEPTA ADA sources
Older adults depending on wheelchairs or different tools can submit a “curb request” via town — requesting {that a} ramp be positioned in a particular location. The request type could be discovered right here, and would require info comparable to the placement the place the curb ramp must be put in, the positioning of the curb ramp and the identify of the road the ramp crosses.
Moreover, Busch mentioned a lot of SEPTA’s automobiles and stations are ADA accessible.
“When you take a look at the bus fleet, all of our buses are ADA accessible as a result of they’ve the bottom low flooring clearance, the place anybody can board seamlessly from a curve or a sidewalk onto the bus,” he mentioned. “After which there are lifts and ramp that we can assist them with as nicely. However buses are absolutely accessible and a superb portion of our rail stations are additionally ADA accessible.”
He mentioned that seniors who’re touring someplace on rail or bus strains ought to plan forward and take a look at system maps to make sure the stops they’re getting off at are accessible.
Personal providers
Along with city-run providers, there are a selection of out of doors transportation providers that can present transportation at a price. Service wants and choices differ.
This story is part of a sequence on sources for getting older grownup populations. If in case you have a query you’d prefer to be answered on this subject, or a suggestion for part of the sequence, e mail us at ideas@billypenn.com.