Philadelphia: If a SEPTA train/bus is late, is the ride free?!?

Question

I was riding the SEPTA regional rail yesterday and it was about 10 min. late... the train employee punched my ticket, then I heard the guy behind me say "I don't have to pay b/c the trains late, right?" and the train employee game him a look then kept walking.

I wasn't aware whether or not this was a rule with SEPTA and was wondering if you all knew the answer...

Answer 1

LOL that's a good one.

It's late all the time and it's certainly not free.

Answer 2

I highly doubt this is the case. SEPTA and every other public transportation system has late trains/bus on a regular basis. They would be even more likely to be bankrupt if they gave free rides every time a train is one or two minutes late. Think about the airlines -- you're lucky if they even apologize for being late!

NJ Transit did give riders with a monthly ticket a partial refund in July 2003 because of atrocious service quality. I was riding during that month and they had at least 5 days where the trains were extremely late, extremely overcrowded, and flat-out not running on the Northeast Corridor line. I've never heard of any other transit authority refunding money.