TransPasses: SEPTA announces exchanges, credits!

[metsfan]

y Peter Mucha

Inquirer Staff Writer

 

Commuters who have an unpunched TransPass valid for last week are entitled to an exchange or credit - even if the pass was partially used, according to SEPTA.

A punchmark indicates the rider used the pass to ride the regional rails, which remained in operation during the transit workers strike, which began Tuesday.

 

Such punched passes, and the TrailPasses that kept being honored for regional rails, are not eligible for credits or exchange, SEPTA said.

 

Unpunched weekly and monthly passes are eligible, even if they were used before the strike.

 

"We only brought out the punch when there was a service disruption," explained SEPTA spokesman Jerri Williams.

 

Generally, people trying to use a TransPass - usually honored on buses, subways and trolleys - to ride the regional rails were told they might want to purchase tickets instead, she said.

 

"We hope that at the time they used it that was explained to them," Williams said.

 

Many eligible customers can use any sales location, preferrably original place of purchase, SEPTA says.

 

People with passes obtained through an employer program or a pre-tax program, however, must mail in their requests, along with their passes.

 

Holders of an eligible weekly TransPass have until Dec. 31 to turn it in for a new one.

 

Starting next month, holders of a November pass can get a $20 credit toward purchasing a new monthly TransPass.

 

"Nobody should be asking for their credit until the end of the month," Williams said. "They'll need to use it the rest of the month."

 

When get the credit on the next pass, they'll turn the old one in, she said. The offer is good for December, January and February.

 

Weekly TransPasses cost $20.70, while the monthly ones cost $78.

 

Those using employer or pre-tax programs to obtain passes should submit the pass by mail to: SEPTA SIP REFUNDS, P.O. Box 58609, Philadelphia, PA 19102-8849. Be sure to enclose a note with contact information, including address.

 

Weekly and monthly TrailPasses are ineligible for credits - even if unused - "because service was not interrupted," Williams said.

 

Anyone who feels an exception should be made, or who has a complaint, can send a letter of explanation to the same address.

 

Refund requests could take six weeks to process.

 

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20091109_SEPTA_details_refunds__credits__exchanges.html

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