 Accessible SEPTA
SEPTA understands the critical role of public transit in making independence and mobility possible for the disabled citizens of our five-county service region. We are dedicated to making it easier for customers to use our fixed route and paratransit services through a comprehensive program of accessibility improvements - fleet enhancements, station construction, and other service initiatives.
Market-Frankford Line riders needing accessible service when bus service substitutes train service - during an El Shutdown - should be familar with the MSE ADA Contingency Plan in place for affected riders.
Vehicle Accessibility
Bus
All SEPTA fixed-route bus service operates with ADA accessible vehicles. Every SEPTA bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift or ramp. A SEPTA bus can be lowered - or "kneel" - by the bus operator, when requested, to make the step up from street level easier. The majority of our buses include automated route and stop announcements heard both inside and outside of the bus. Route information is displayed electronically on the front and side of every bus.
A SEPTA bus can transport mobility devices of any type - wheelchairs, scooters, and wheelchair strollers - that measure up to 30 inches long, 48 inches wide, and weigh up to 600 lbs. when occupied. Larger mobility devices may not be able to fit on our bus. Wheelchairs and scooters must be secured when on-board our buses in at least three locations of non-movable parts. Third-party vendors supply securements that will ensure your device complies with SEPTA requirements.
Trackless Trolley routes 29, 59, 66, 75 and 79 are currently operated with buses but are accessible.
Regional Rail, Subway and Trolley
Regional Rail cars are accessible to those with mobility devices. The current fleet can accommodate mobility devices up to about 27 inches wide and about 42 inches long. Remember Regional Rail cars do not have securement features.
CCT Connect
Customized Community Transportation (CCT Connect) provides ADA paratransit service to individuals with disabilities who are functionally unable to use regular accessible fixed-route bus service for some or all of their transportation needs, as well as a Shared-Ride paratransit program for senior citizens. Customers with a wheelchair or a scooter are required to have four securement locations on non-movable parts of their device when riding a Paratransit vehicle. A list of suggested manufacturers who supply securments is available to help your device comply with our requirements.
Station Accessibility
Many Regional Rail and Transit stations are currently ADA accessible and other facilities under construction will become ADA accessible.
The main SEPTA Regional Rail stations - Temple University, Market East Station, Suburban Station, 30th Street Station, and University City Station – are ADA accessible.
For our Transit customers, Frankford Transportation Center and 69th Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line are accessible. Fern Rock Transportation Center and Olney Transportation Center are the major accessible stations on the Broad Street Line. These stations provide easy, intermodal connections to other accessible SEPTA routes.
View a complete list of accessible SEPTA facilities or look for this symbol on the clickable Regional Rail system map.
Elevator Status
SEPTA offers several ways of verifying whether an elevator you need is operational, both during and before you travel:
- Elevator Hotline
Our toll-free, 24-hour elevator status number is 877-SEPTA4U (877-737-8248). This hotline is updated immediately when changes occur. If an elevator outage is occurring at your station, please refer to the Alternate Accessible Service list for other travel options.
- SEPTA Website
Visit the Elevator Outages section of the SEPTA website. Access it from the homepage by visiting Travel Advisories and then choosing Elevator Outages.
- SEPTA Customer Service
Call SEPTA Customer Service at 215-580-7800 to verify the service status of any SEPTA elevator.
- Subway Cashier Booth Announcement Boards
Posted in the cashier booth of each subway station, check the announcement board to confirm the status of elevators within the SEPTA Subway system. The announcement board is updated immediately when changes occur.
- Signage
If a SEPTA elevator is out of service for repair, a sign advising customers will be posted on each floor of the elevator.
The SEPTA system experiences minimal elevator outages and most are corrected within 24 hours. However, should you encounter a malfunctioning elevator, please ask for assistance. SEPTA personnel will do all they can to assist you in completing your trip.
Non-SEPTA Elevators
SEPTA does not own or maintain City of Philadelphia elevators at 8th & Market Street and 15th & Locust Street; AMTRAK 30th Street Station concourse to street elevators; AMTRAK North Philadelphia Station elevators; NJ Transit Trenton Transit Center elevators; DART Wilmington Station elevators; or elevators at the Gallery Shopping Mall or the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Please contact those organizations for information about elevator service.
Fares
Seniors can ride any SEPTA bus, subway or trolley free at all times. Riders with disabilities are eligible for reduced fares on SEPTA’s fixed route service.
Reduced Fare Card
Persons with disabilities may be eligible for a Reduced Fare Card for systemwide travel during off-peak hours. For information on the Reduced-Fare Card program (PA Disability Identification Card) and accessible ticket or token purchase locations, call SEPTA Customer Service 215-580-7800.
Token Vending Machines
Tactile surfaces and audio queues on change and token vending machines in major stations make buying tokens easier.
For other fare information, consult the Fares page.
Travel Assistance
Route Identifier Kits
If you have a visual impairment and find it difficult to identify routes or stops, SEPTA offers a route identifier kit consisting of a 4x7 inch holder for displaying the bus route number you wish to ride and sets of numbers in large type and Braille. Operators have been instructed to look for customers with route identifiers, stop close to the customer, and call out the route number. To request a Route Identifier Kit call 215-580-7145.
Stop Assistance Cards
These free cards request the help of SEPTA personnel in ensuring that you get off at the correct stop and can be used throughout our bus, subway, trolley, and Regional Rail system. To request a supply of Stop Assistance Cards call 215-580-7145 (TDD/TTY 215-580-7712).
Text Schedules on the Web
Text only versions of bus, subway, trolley, and Regional Rail schedules, with JAWS setting instructions, are now available on the SEPTA website for customers, who use screen readers.
ADA Access Link
Fixed Route service customers with access related concerns or service commendations may speak to a Customer Service Representative by calling 215-580-7810. All travel related questions should be directed to 215-580-7800.
Travel Advisories
Information about planned route and service alterations, construction activity, and accessibility updates are available under Travel Advisories, including the Market-Frankford Line ADA Contingency Plan. Unanticipated service interruptions are available under the Travel Alert box located on the SEPTA website homepage, or you can call SEPTA Customer Service at 215-580-7800.
Riding Tips
- STANDEES can request to use ramps or lifts for boarding.
- WHEELCHAIR STROLLERS are wheelchairs that should be boarded using the ramp or lift, and must ride in the securement area. To speed your boarding, please tell the operator, “this is a wheelchair stroller—please put down the lift or ramp”.
- PRIORITY SEATING is designated on all SEPTA vehicles by a decal indicating priority seats for persons with disabilities. On buses, two priority seats flip up to accommodate two wheelchairs, scooters, or wheelchair strollers. The operator will ask a rider to change seats if they are occupying a priority seat, but under ADA, they cannot be required to vacate these seats.
- SEAT BELTS should be on your chair and we ask you to please use them when riding on SEPTA vehicles. You will need this safety device when using the ramp to exit a low-floor bus.
- CHAIR SECUREMENT FEATURES and knowing where to secure your chair are important so you can tell the bus operator. The operator may ask you, “Where do you want this secured?” To speed your service, please consider marking securement points with colored tape or equipping your chair with easy-tie down straps if you don’t already have these.
- STOP ANNOUNCEMENTS are made on subway cars and most SEPTA buses. On any bus not equipped with a stop announcement system, or if the equipment has malfunctioned, the operator must announce major stops, transfer points, and sites of interest; rail and trolley personnel must also announce stops.
If you cannot be transported, due to unavailable seating or lift malfunction, or you encounter a problem while alighting, the bus operator must issue a free ECT (Emergency Continuance Ticket) to you and any aides and contact the Control Center to report the incident or problem.
Special Assistance
When requested, SEPTA employees will assist you to the best of their physical ability. Employees can help provide lateral movement, guidance and traction if your wheels are slipping. SEPTA employees will not carry or lift you, your mobility device, or any additional baggage you may have. SEPTA personnel are permitted to assist you with fare payment.
Operators make every effort to curb buses and deploy ramps to the sidewalk. However, this may not always be possible. If the angle of the ramp is steep, the operator has been trained to assist your boarding by guiding you up the ramp and/or applying weight on your handles to assist you with traction.
Service Animals
Trained service animals of all kinds ride SEPTA free of charge. When using SEPTA or within SEPTA facilities, service animals must be leashed and under the owner’s control.
If you use a service animal AND a wheelchair, tell your SEPTA operator how your animal has been trained to board (before, after, or with you). Please remember to be careful with its paws and tail when using lifts.
Please don’t ask our operators to take your animal’s leash. SEPTA personnel are prohibited from taking service animals’ leashes or harnesses, or interfering with the duties of service animals in any way.
For more information about service animal policies, call 215-580-3424.
Helpful Programs
Bus Familiarization Program
SEPTA has developed a half-day program for customers with disabilities who want to learn to ride our fixed route bus or rail service. You will practice using a bus lift and gather helpful information and travel tips from SEPTA staff and experienced riders with disabilities. The “Bus Fam” program is free, but you must register in advance. For more information, call 215-580-7145 (TDD/TTY 215-580-7712).
Practice Travel
To practice using the SEPTA system with another rider with a disability, call 215-580-7145 (TDD/TTY 215-580-7712). We will do our best to link you up with an experienced rider.
Vehicle Practice Sessions
To practice boarding SEPTA rail or subway cars, call 215/580-7145 (TDD/TTY 215-580-7712). We can help arrange some practice sessions for you during off peak hours.
SEPTA Advisory Committee (SAC)
SEPTA has an on-going relationship with the SEPTA Advisory Committee for Accessible Transportation (SAC), an independent advisory group composed of consumers and advocates. SAC meets on the second Thursday of each month (except August) to discuss accessibility issues.
Each year SAC, Freedom Valley Independent Living Center, and SEPTA co-sponsor awards for operators providing exceptional service to customers with disabilities. When you encounter a good candidate, tell us by contacting SEPTA.
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