What CCT Connect Is (Shared Ride 65+ vs. ADA Paratransit)

SEPTA CCT Connect provides a specialized door-to-door transit service. It operates entirely differently from regular fixed-route buses and trains. Trips are shared with other riders who are heading in the same general direction. Because the vehicle stops to pick up and drop off multiple passengers, your travel time will be longer than a direct drive.

You must schedule your ride in advance. Space is provided as available, so you should book as early as allowed.

Many people confuse the Senior Shared Ride program with ADA Paratransit. Both programs use the same CCT vehicles. However, they serve different groups and have completely different eligibility rules.

If your loved one is under 65 but has a disability preventing them from using the regular bus, they should apply for ADA Paratransit. Keep in mind that all regular SEPTA buses are ADA accessible. They feature low floors and ramps or lifts to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters.

Who Qualifies and Where It Goes

To use the Senior Shared Ride program, you must be a Philadelphia resident. You must also be at least 65 years old.

The service area covers all neighborhoods within Philadelphia. It also extends up to 3 miles outside the city border. This 3-mile radius includes nearby parts of Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties.

Trips farther into the suburbs are outside the program; the county shared-ride services listed below cover those areas.

Fare and Funding

The Senior Shared Ride program is not free, but it is heavily subsidized to keep costs low for older adults. The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and administered under PennDOT.

Registered riders pay a reduced fare (reported as $4.25 one way in 2025; confirm with SEPTA). You must pay this fare each time you board the vehicle for a one-way trip. A round trip will cost two fares.

If you can still safely use regular buses, trolleys, or the subway, you do not have to pay a fare at all. The SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card allows seniors 65 and older to ride regular SEPTA transit for free at all times. Keep in mind that newer PennDOT IDs lack a magnetic strip and do not work as a fare card on transit readers. You must get the SEPTA Key Senior card to ride fixed routes for free.

How to Register and Book

You must register with SEPTA before you can book your first shared ride. The process requires a written application and an in-person visit to verify your age and identity.

1. Get the application: Download the CCT Connect application form directly from the SEPTA website. The form is available in both English and Spanish. You can also call 215-580-7145, option 6, to request a paper copy by mail.
2. Schedule an appointment: Call 215-580-7145, option 6, or visit go.oncehub.com/septacct to set up an in-person registration visit. Appointments take place at SEPTA Headquarters, located at 1234 Market Street. They are available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office closes from noon to 1 p.m.
3. Bring your ID: Go to your appointment with valid proof of age. Acceptable documents include a driver’s license, a state photo ID card, a birth certificate, a passport, or a Social Security statement of age.
4. Book your rides: Once your registration is complete, you will call CCT Connect to schedule your trips. You must book your rides in advance according to SEPTA’s scheduling rules.

If you receive Medicaid through a Community HealthChoices (CHC) plan, ask your service coordinator about transportation options. The CHC waiver covers non-medical transportation for eligible participants. For medical appointments, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (MATP) is also available in Philadelphia. Your CHC plan can explain how to schedule MATP rides.

If an older relative needs a hand getting to appointments, New Century Home Care can help. Call 215-974-0000 and choose “I am a client”.

Outside Philadelphia

If your loved one lives outside the city limits, they cannot register for SEPTA’s Philadelphia Senior Shared Ride program. Instead, each surrounding county operates its own shared-ride transit system for older adults.

Call your local provider to ask about their specific registration steps, fare amounts, and service areas.

Help Getting In and Out the Door

CCT Connect offers only limited driver assistance, so plan for help getting ready and getting to the door.

If your loved one needs physical help preparing for the trip, a home care aide can assist. An aide provides mobility assistance and helps with dressing. The caregiver can then escort your relative to the curb to wait for the CCT vehicle. If you receive services through PCA, they can also coordinate rides for people enrolled in their OPTIONS program.

When looking for home care in Philadelphia, PA, you have options for how to staff those hours. You can hire a professional caregiver through an agency. Family members can also sometimes be paid to provide care. Through the Medicaid CHC waiver, relatives can be hired as paid caregivers. The waiver will not pay a spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney.

We invite you to explore the rest of our Philadelphia senior resource guide for more local programs.

New Century Home Care is a licensed non-medical home care agency serving the Philadelphia area. If you need a caregiver for your loved one, call 215-974-0000 and select the “I am a client” option on our form.