In 2023, Jawnt and SEPTA successfully co-authored a research paper on the participation and ridership impacts of SEPTA’s Key Advantage Program. The paper, "Participation and behavior changes in the first year of SEPTA’s Key Advantage institutional pass program," was peer-reviewed and accepted by the highly esteemed Transportation Research Board, a part of the National Academy of Sciences This week, the paper was presented during a panel discussion in Washington, DC.

The research investigation found that ridership increased more briskly for participants in the SEPTA Key Advantage program than the system overall. Enrolled employees increased their SEPTA Bus and Metro trips by 40% and Regional Rail by 73% over the 13-month study period, compared to 13% and 32% SEPTA-wide. Analyzing case studies of three larger employers confirmed that employees increased their ridership when the passes were partially subsidized, and increased it even further when their passes were entirely subsidized. Ridership gains slowed or even reversed when subsidies were removed. SEPTA’s experience is consistent with previous research by showing that institutional pass programs increase ridership, and suggest that employer subsidies can further amplify these positive effects.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for both Jawnt and SEPTA in their continuous efforts towards increasing access to public transit. The successful reception of this paper underscores the value of collaboration between the private and public sectors in addressing ridership recovery.

For more information, presentation slides, or to read the full paper, please email Ruth@jawntpass.com.