Who qualifies and what’s free

The SEPTA Senior Key Card allows adults age 65 and older to ride public transit for free or at a steep discount. This program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and helps older adults stay active in their communities.

Your card gives you access to a wide range of transit services. You can use it at all times for local travel, and it covers regional trips within the state.

You can find more details about these routes and schedules at septa.org/senior.

How to get the card

You apply in person and bring a document that proves your age.

1. Gather proof of age: Bring your driver’s license, photo ID card, birth certificate, passport, or Social Security statement of age.
2. Choose an application location: You can get or renew your card at participating State Senate and State House district offices across the city. Alternatively, you can go to SEPTA Headquarters at 1234 Market Street.
3. Schedule an appointment: If you choose to visit SEPTA Headquarters, you need an appointment. Call 215-580-7145 (option 6) or book online at go.oncehub.com/septacct.

Appointments at SEPTA Headquarters are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. If you use a legislator’s office, call ahead to confirm it issues the card.

If a parent needs help getting ready or running errands, a Philadelphia home care aide can assist. Call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 and choose “I am a client”.

Old ID cards and the magnetic strip issue

In the past, older adults could simply swipe their state-issued ID cards at the turnstile to ride for free. This is no longer an option for everyone.

Newer PennDOT IDs lack a magnetic strip on the back. Because they do not have this strip, they do not work as a fare card on buses or at train stations.

To ensure you can ride without paying a fare, you must get the official SEPTA Key Senior card. You should keep this card with you whenever you travel on the transit system, as drivers and conductors will require it.

When the bus isn’t an option

Not everyone can walk to a bus stop or use a subway station safely. All SEPTA buses are ADA accessible, featuring low floors and ramps or lifts, but door-to-door service is sometimes necessary for older adults with mobility challenges.

If you are 65 or older, you can use the CCT Connect Shared Ride Program. This service provides scheduled, door-to-door shared rides to anywhere in the city and within 3 miles of the city border. This area includes parts of Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware counties.

Trips are shared, scheduled in advance, and space-available. Drivers provide limited assistance. Riders pay a reduced fare (reported as $4.25 one way in 2025; confirm with SEPTA), according to a Billy Penn report. The program is funded by the PA Lottery and administered under PennDOT.

You can register for CCT Shared Ride by calling 215-580-7145 (option 6) or by filling out the application on the SEPTA website. The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging also coordinates rides for people enrolled in its OPTIONS program.

CCT ADA paratransit is a separate service entirely. It is designed specifically for people with disabilities who cannot use accessible fixed-route service for some or all trips. Because it is a specialized service, it requires a separate eligibility determination. Physician documentation is part of the process to confirm your physical or cognitive limitations.

For medical appointments, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (MATP) exists in Philadelphia. You should ask your Community HealthChoices (CHC) plan or service coordinator for details about scheduling these rides.

Getting to appointments with a caregiver

Older adults often need someone to accompany them to the grocery store, the pharmacy, or senior community centers. Traveling alone can be difficult if your loved one experiences balance issues or cognitive decline.

A non-medical home care agency provides companion care to help your loved one safely access the community. Aides assist with incidental tasks and ensure your loved one reaches their destination safely.

Personal Assistance Services through the CHC waiver cover help with activities of daily living, cueing, and supervising people who cannot safely be left alone. This includes accompanying participants into the community for PAS purposes, such as medical visits or grocery shopping. Your CHC service coordinator sets these services in your person-centered service plan.

If your loved one qualifies for the Medicaid CHC waiver, family members can even be hired as paid caregivers. The waiver will not pay services furnished by a spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney, but other relatives are eligible to get paid for their caregiving time.

More local programs are in our Philadelphia senior resource guide. For in-home support, call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 and use the “I am a client” form.