PATCO fares rising in New Year

Fares are going up on the PATCO High Speed Line beginning January first.  The hike has been delayed since the summer.

 

The hike was originally approved in August of 2008 as part of a multi-year adjustment to fares on the line between Lindenwold and Center City Philadelphia.  Ed Kasuba, a spokesman for PATCO, says the hike ranges from 15¢ to 30¢ each way on the line.

 

“The fare hike is needed to help support our five-year capital program. Some of the things that PATCO will benefit from under this capital program is $200 million to completely overhaul the fleet of PATCO vehicles, we going to have $5.3 million for capital improvements,” said Kasuba.

 

The improvements include the re-opening of the Franklin Square Station at 6th and Arch, which is scheduled for 2013.  Kasuba says the off-peak discounted fare for Medicaid card holders and the disabled is going up 8¢ to 70¢ per trip.