Faculty and Staff SEPTA Key Advantage UPass Program

Swarthmore’s participation in the Faculty and Staff SEPTA Key Advantage UPass Program enhances the living, learning, and working experience for our community members and strengthens our commitment to sustainability by facilitating the use of public transportation by faculty and staff members when they commute to campus.

As long as your are enrolled in the program, your Key Card can be used anywhere on SEPTA’s network of subways, buses, trolleys, and Regional Rail lines, and is valid at all times and on all services provided by SEPTA, with a 240-ride limit per month (8 rides per day). 

Who is eligible for this program?

If you are a full- or part-time, benefits-eligible Swarthmore College faculty or staff member, you are eligible for this program. Only eligible faculty and staff members can participate, and you will not be able to share, transfer, or sell Key Cards.

How do I enroll in this program?

First, enroll in the SEPTA program on Workday by taking the following steps:

  1. From the Global Navigation Sidebar, select Personal > Benefits and Pay.
  2. Click the Icon for Change Benefits
  3. Select the Change Reason for Commuter Benefits Change
  4. Enter the date you want the change to begin
  5. Enter Your Comment: Enter any additional comments or information that might help explain the change.
  6. Click Submit.  A confirmation message will appear, click Open and you will be guided to the next step to complete your benefit elections for the change
  7. Click the Let’s Get Started button.
  8. Choose to make changes to your Transit and/or Parking FSA, as well as, your Septa Key Program enrollment
  9. Click on Select, then at the bottom click on Confirm and Continue
    1. If you are already enrolled and are cancelling your enrollment, click on Manage under the benefit you are waiving
    2. Then click Waive, and at the bottom click on Confirm and Continue
  10. Once all changes are made, review your changes, scroll down to the section for Electronic Signature and check the box for I ACCEPT, enter any applicable comments, then at the bottom of the page click on Submit

After completing your enrollment in Workday, please take the following steps:

Do I have to enroll for the whole year?

The Faculty Staff SEPTA Key Advantage UPass Program is month to month. If you wish to discontinue your participation, you can un-enroll in Workday, following the steps above (you do not need to unenroll through SEPTA’s platform, only in Workday); please keep in mind that your form must be submitted by the 20th day of the month prior to the month in which you are opting out.  

Can I use my Transit Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit and participate in this program?

Yes, you can both use your commuter transit FSA and participate in this program; however, the combined monthly total of the commuter transit FSA and the SEPTA payroll deductions cannot exceed the IRS limit.  Your Commuter Transit FSA funds cannot be used to pay for your Septa Key payroll deductions.

What if I already have a SEPTA Key Card?

If you already have a SEPTA Key Card, you can enroll your current Key Card into the Key Advantage UPass program.  You will need to verify that your card does not have a negative balance as the Swarthmore pass cannot be loaded with a negative balance showing. Credit can be applied to a negative balance on the SEPTA Key site.

What happens if I lose my Key Card?

If you lose your Key Card, you should report it lost to SEPTA. You can purchase a replacement Key Card at the OneCard office for $5.

What happens if my key card expires?

SEPTA key cards expire after 3 years. When your card expires, you can pick up a new card for free at the OneCard office. You will then need to register your key card, and follow the enrollment steps on the SEPTA platform. You do *not* need to re-enroll in the benefit in Workday when you get a new card.

How can I make my way around the Philadelphia area on SEPTA?

Swarthmore is a stop on SEPTA's regional rail system. The SEPTA Trip Planner helps you plan your trips around the city and surrounding areas — just put in your starting point and destination.