Riding Mass Transit

When riding any mass transit vehicle I have found that making a smooth ride, requires a rider to be "in the know." The top three things that any mass transit rider should know are the fares(base and zones), emergency procedures, and common courtesy rules for riding!

Knowing your fares, not only saves you money, but could also save you time and other passengers will thank you for it. I've had many riders tell me how they were over-charged by a bus driver, because they didn't know the correct fare. By the way, if you are really disgruntled and want your hard-earned money back call the bus company's customer service 1-800 number, they should work with you to appease your situation. Most bus companies run about $1.50-$3.00 per person, per ride(depending on the company). If you ride the bus often, I recommend a daily, weekly, or even a monthly transpass. SEPTA has a multitude of different fare choices for the "every-day rider" or the "once-in-awhile rider" to help you--the passenger--save some money.

For example, I myself take the bus twice a day to get to and from work. If I paid cash each way would cost me $2.50, for a total of $5.00 a day, $25.00 a week, and about $100.00 a month! However, I usually by pass the fifty cents "zone" fare and in the process save myself some money by purchasing a cross-county pass; which allows me to go anywhere in the county by just swiping my pass; for $96.00 a month!

SEPTA also has a new convenience day pass($6.00 for eight trips; be fore-warned, if you don't use the eight trips though, you can NOT use them the next day; however, even if you use it three times, it just paid for itself!), weekly passes(starting at $20.75; additional zone fares apply, in some cases), monthly passes(starting at $78.00; additional zone fares apply also), and tokens($6.50 for a pack of 5 tokens; which are good for one ride; not including zone fares).

And now I would like to take a moment to explain what a "zone" fare is. SEPTA has "base" and "zone" fares. What is the difference, you ask? As far as SEPTA goes, I believe this only applies to a few bus routes, and quite a few trains, in which the "zone" fares apply. For example, the bus route 93 goes straight up Ridge Pike in NORRISTOWN to POTTSTOWN, for this hour ride there are TWO zones. When you board in let us say, NORRISTOWN, you pay the "base" fare of $2.00; and let us say you are going all the way to POTTSTOWN, you pay an additional $1.00(fifty cents for each "zone"). A "zone" on this route is from NORRISTOWN Transportation Center to Township Line Road in Limmerick and the next "zone" would be from Limmerick Road to Hanover Street in POTTSTOWN. Basically from different streets, a certain amount of miles is an extra fifty cents.

Another common rider mistake is to be ignorant of emergency procedures. Most buses already have emergency handles and everything labeled, right? So, what else is there to know? In cases of emergency(this being flooding, fire, power outage, traffic accident, terrorist attack, arson, gunfire, other passengers safety also include, choking, elderly: heart attacks, etc.) what should you do? Outlined on SEPTA's website are a few tips.

1.) Be calm and alert.
2.) Always listen to the driver, in case you have to evacuate the area.
3.) Report all suspicious packages left behind on any vehicle.
4.) Program Transit Police's telephone number into your cellular device(for SEPTA, 215-580-8111)
5.) Be aware of where the Emergency Call Box(ECB) locations, these boxes are located throughout transportation centers and subway locations.

Here are some tips that I think would be useful during any of these situations(in addition to the tips above).

1.) Remain calm, look for the nearest exit.
2.) Always carry a small first aid kit.
3.) Become aware of how to do CPR; or the basics of CPR.

SEPTA has also integrated community programs such as LOOK, LISTEN, & LIVE, Operation Lifesaver a program which teaches the community of crossing railroad tracks safely. There are also classes teaching children, the elderly, and disabled how to access SEPTA buses, trains, and trolleys.

Finally, there are a few rules while you are riding that should be adhered to, can be bent a little depending on the situation. Firstly, when you board the bus, the first six rows are usually kept for the elderly and disabled passengers, if you are not either, PLEASE head to the back! Next, (this is where the bending comes in) it is posted that on any bus you should NOT drink, smoke, or eat. It is common courtesy to not eat in front of others, however, there are circumstances that I can understand(i.e. diabetics, or other medical conditions; or you haven't eaten all day and can't wait another minute, or you just may pass out), but take your trash with you, bus drivers are NOT the maids and WON'T pick up after you which leaves a mess for other passengers and your future ride.

The last common courtesy rule of riding is to keep voices to a minimum when on the phone or otherwise, I find it easier to bring a book along for the ride--but it is hard to read when someone is screaming and laughing hysterically behind me. I find this very rude! How hard is it to remain passive for a short bus ride?

If you follow all these rules and are "in the know" you should never have to deal with disgruntled passengers or drivers, which makes for a safe and fun trip.