SEPTA's Regional Rail riders will see a big change is they're headed home in the afternoons from Philadelphia. Starting Monday, August 1, you can no longer buy your ticket on the train-- you need it to board.
That means you'll have buy your ticket before boarding and then queue up at the following stations in order to get onto the platform during the PM rush: Temple, Jefferson, Suburban Station, 30th Street and University City.
"Fare Collection personnel will be stationed by each stairway. Once the fare has been validated or collected, customers will be able to proceed directly to the train platform and all stairways will be open," said SEPTA in a news release.
The policy covers passengers at the above statoins from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
"Cash will not be accepted for pre-boarding payment and on-board fare payment or collection will not occur at these Stations," said SEPTA. Customers with cash must purchase a ticket at the Station Ticket Office before going to the stairway fare line."
SEPTA officials said the change was spurred by the scheduling issues created by the loss of more than a 100 rail cars due to a structural defect. Spokesman Andrew Busch told the Philadelphia Inquirer the agency received complaints about people getting free rides because conductors didn't have time to check all passengers' tickets on overcrowded trains.
Busch said the move should also speed boarding and get trains out of stations more quickly.
