Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is New Payment Technologies?
A: New Payment Technologies or NPT is SEPTA's new automated electronic fare payment system that will replace magnetic cards, paper tickets and metal tokens. The new system allows direct fare payment with a variety of contactless credit or debit cards, contactless government benefit cards, contactless ID cards, smart phones and other devices.

Q: Will the NPT system use new equipment to collect fares?
A: Yes. You will see new electronic equipment on SEPTA buses, trolleys and in stations. Fareboxes, turnstiles, and regional rail stations will have a new electronic target called a reader. The subway-elevated lines and regional rail stations will also have new fare vending machines. Stations with turnstiles will also be equipped with a wider ADA compliant gate.

Q: How do I pay fares under the NPT system?
A: You will pay fares by tapping a contactless card against the electronic target as you enter stations or board vehicles. The contactless cards contain a computer chip that communicates with the target using radio signals. Riders may also choose to pay fares with a common debit or credit cards that carry a contactless chip.

Q: Will it take longer for me to pay my fare in the new system?
A. No, the time period will be the same as today.

Q: Where can I get a contactless card?
A. In addition to debit and credit cards, contactless cards for NPT will be sold as in the form of a pre-paid card available from local retail stores, fare vending machines, and SEPTA sales locations.

Q: How do I purchase a weekly or monthly pass?
A. Your contactless card becomes the same as a weekly or monthly pass after adding value. You may add or subtract value to the account via the internet, telephone, vending machines, retail stores or SEPTA sales location. When you tap your contactless card to ride SEPTA, the NPT system will recognize the account and allow entry. You may also choose to automatically replenish your account by linking it to a bank account or credit card.

Q: How can I check the balance in my transit account?
A. You will have options for checking and managing your account. Riders may access the NPT web site, the telephone call center, or stop by any SEPTA sales location.

Q: Can I still use tokens and paper transfers in the new system?
A. The NPT system will not accept metal tokens and paper transfers. Instead, riders will use a pre-paid card from which they can add value to an account and replenish as needed.

Q: What happens if I lose my pre-paid card?
A: You will have the option of registering the card with SEPTA and this protects you from lost or stolen cards. You would then simply inform the NPT Customer Service Representative of the problem and the card would be replaced.

Q: Can I still pay fares with cash?
A: You may still use cash on board SEPTA buses and trolleys. For most Market-Frankford, Broad Street and Regional Rail travel, fare vending machines will be available. Cashiers will no longer accept cash and tokens and will not issue transfers.

Q: How will NPT system accommodate fares for senior citizens and disabled riders?
A. SEPTA and Penn DOT will issue special fare products to accommodate these constituencies, as needed.

Q: How will the new system accommodate a personal care attendant?
A. Personal care attendants would continue to travel with riders having mobility impairments and registered with the NPT system.

Q: How will NPT accommodate employer transit programs such as TransitChek?
A. Participants in TransitChek will have benefits electronically stored on their account and may use a variety of NPT compliant cards.

Q: When will New Payment Technologies be implemented
A. The new fare system will be phased in over a period of three years, following the award of a contract to a third party vendor.

Q: How will NPT coordinate ticketing and transfer policies among NJ Transit, PATCO, and DelDOT?
A. Each carrier is responsible for establishing their own fare and pricing policies. SEPTA has presented the NPT project to all agencies. PATCO is scheduled to begin an "open payments" pilot project to test the acceptance of contactless bank issued payment cards, which could simplify transfers between PATCO and SEPTA.

Q: Will transfers be eliminated on the transit side; will there be transit to RR transfers?
A. Transfer policies are currently under evaluation. SEPTA wishes to achieve the goal of universal transfer capability.

Q: How will student passes be handled?
A. NPT welcomes a compliant school identification card and any third party cards meeting contactless, bank card standards.

Q: Will parking permits be handled within the fare system? Will there be weekly/monthly parking within the fare system?
A. Parking policies will be reviewed in the future.