Based on an argument I was forming on the NJT Light Rail forum, I began arguing for SEPTA to utilize POP, at least on it's Subway Surface, Surface LRV (if they ever come back), and possibly bus lines. I think it'd be much more effective for SEPTA to switch to a POP system modeled on SF Muni's example. We could retain fareboxes on the LRVs, and people could buy when boarding, but daily, weekly, and monthly pass holders could board at rear doors, thereby greatly speeding the process. When paying at the door you'd receive a ticket good for 2 hours or so, and good on all lines, either punched like a Daypass, or magnetically swiped to ensure it is valid. I think the Subway Surface is an excellent subject for POP since it's stations are already mostly open, only 30th, 15th and 13th are clogged by faregates. Of course the surface LRVs would also be a good subject for POP. We could at last get low floor, multi-door LRVs and utilize their boarding capacity to the fullest, especially on lines like the 15 or 56 where islands provide places where small TVMs could be placed (perhaps only taking cash, credit or debit, and dispensing only 2 hour or day-long tickets). Buses would also work with POP, especially the low floor D40LFs, they have a large area where a on-board TVM could fit over the wheel well.
Really the only sticking points I can think of are the fare gates currently restricting 13th, 15th and 30th. I'd think 15th would be easy to remedy, just remove the iron-maiden type turnstyles that block each entrance to the line and install another fare gate at the stop of the stairs to board a MFL train or walk to a BSS train. 13th and 30th would be harder to do since you have to walk through the fare-controlled area to reach the subway-surface platforms. One possible solution would be to just leave everything as is, and have the POP ticket be accepted by the faregate at the station as a proper fare. I suppose if the POP ticket is a cross between a standard POP ticket and a NYC 2 hour single use metrocard, all transfers would be free for 2 hours, and it'd have a time and date stamped on it for the fare inspectors.
I think this would be a good way for SEPTA to increase ridership.
Really the only sticking points I can think of are the fare gates currently restricting 13th, 15th and 30th. I'd think 15th would be easy to remedy, just remove the iron-maiden type turnstyles that block each entrance to the line and install another fare gate at the stop of the stairs to board a MFL train or walk to a BSS train. 13th and 30th would be harder to do since you have to walk through the fare-controlled area to reach the subway-surface platforms. One possible solution would be to just leave everything as is, and have the POP ticket be accepted by the faregate at the station as a proper fare. I suppose if the POP ticket is a cross between a standard POP ticket and a NYC 2 hour single use metrocard, all transfers would be free for 2 hours, and it'd have a time and date stamped on it for the fare inspectors.
I think this would be a good way for SEPTA to increase ridership.