Faced with the steep costs of commuting, Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) students are rallying behind the free daily SEPTA Trans-Passes initiative. Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) have gathered over 1,700 student signatures, uniting the CCP community behind a shared vision for equitable, accessible transit. Ongoing discussions between CCP’s administration, union representatives, and SEPTA sales signal the possibility of free transit passes for students in the near future.
If implemented, CCP’s transit pass program would require a substantial financial commitment, enrolling all students and employees at a monthly cost of $30 per person. This totals nearly $2 million annually—a significant investment aimed at broadening educational access. SGA suggests introducing a small transportation fee for students, which would be covered by financial aid for eligible students. To accommodate remote students, the college could offer an opt-out option.
Providing Trans-Passes could ease parking demand, potentially reducing the strain on CCP’s limited parking facilities. However, the road to funding is riddled with political hurdles.
On Monday, October 21, the last day of voter registration before the election, Senator Bob Casey, Mayor Parker, and Councilmen Isaiah Thomas and Kenyatta Johnson visited CCP. Councilman Johnson urged students to advocate in Harrisburg for a portion of the available $15 billion surplus to help fund SEPTA’s estimated $240 million budget deficit. According to Johnson, Republican state representatives and senators are holding up funding for Philadelphia’s public transit. With this support, SEPTA could stabilize its services, which may boost the student fight for free Trans-Passes at CCP.
“This is something that the union wants; this is what SGA wants, and it’s what the college’s own transportation survey shows what the students want,” said FSFCCP Co-President Junion Brainard. The union has integrated the demand for free SEPTA passes into its bargaining platform. With this solidarity, CCP’s transit initiative is poised to become a shared mission for student retention. As CCP’s SGA continues to push for subsidized transit access, they are calling for direct student involvement in Harrisburg. The next step in this initiative is for SGA leaders to organize a petition drive and student delegation to advocate for funding that could make free transit access a reality. CCP students have the chance to secure lasting change and forge a more accessible path to higher education.
The Independent 
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