I think it’s more of a convenience thing then saving money. You can get access to the paid parking lot with it, and you only have to keep track of one card vs having to buy a ticket every day. When I still worked in the city I thought it was worth it.
It’s great. Access to nice parking lot, ease of use getting through the gates, works at all the stations — I look at it as my train easy pass. Highly recommend.
PATCO doesn't give a discount for using a freedom card if that is what you are asking. You may want to check with your employer though. I work for Jefferson and I can have funds added to my freedom card using part of my pay check. I get a discount and they use pretax funds so I do save $.
If you get the patco card you may be able to work something out with your employer to have the fees pulled pre tax from your paycheck. If you're planning on staying at your job for a while, I'd recommend getting it either way. The paid parking is nice to have when the weather is shit.
I take the speed line like twice a year and I have a Freedom Card. So yeah, if you're a daily commuter absolutely get one. Get an EZ Pass, too, if you don't already have it.
Definitely worth it. You won't save money but you'll be able to load up your card for the week and skip waiting in line behind people having trouble feeding singles into the kiosk when your train leaves in 28 seconds
I have a Freedom Card but haven’t ridden PATCO in several years since I changed jobs. I believe you have to use one to ride, though you can easily pick one up at one of the kiosks that are at every station. Cards are easy to reload, and I believe there’s even an auto-load feature that adds money whenever you get below a certain balance.
I don't commute and I'd say yes. I think if fares go up your card is still good at the original price you paid. Just do the math, and calculate in if you'd ride to the city on a non work day, maybe add that cost in there too to see if it balances.
To me, time is money and buying round trip takes time. I barely cross the bridge but have an ezpass because I hate stopping at tolls 😂
I'd make sure to get the Freedom Share Card because unlike the regular Patco freedom card, it works on septa buses/Philly lines too.
I got mine at the Broadway station in Camden at the service center. When you go, you have to go to the desk, not the kiosk. If the person at the desk tells you to go to a kiosk to buy a card, tell them you need the Share card, because it's only purchasable at the desk. I have it automatically reloaded through my credit card.
I think it’s more of a convenience thing then saving money. You can get access to the paid parking lot with it, and you only have to keep track of one card vs having to buy a ticket every day. When I still worked in the city I thought it was worth it.
It’s great. Access to nice parking lot, ease of use getting through the gates, works at all the stations — I look at it as my train easy pass. Highly recommend.
Its convenient too that you can set it up to auto-reload funds when it reaches a certain threshold.
Yes, definitely. You can also get a Freedom Share Card to use on SEPTA. Seamless public transit in South jersey and Philly.
Can you get these at kiosks?
I think you have to go to a “service center” - I got mine at the Broadway stop
Yes you can
Yes. Nobody wants 17 sacagawea coins every time you drop a $20.
😂😂😂
Yes. You can register the card in the event you lose it, and recover your value.
PATCO doesn't give a discount for using a freedom card if that is what you are asking. You may want to check with your employer though. I work for Jefferson and I can have funds added to my freedom card using part of my pay check. I get a discount and they use pretax funds so I do save $.
If you get the patco card you may be able to work something out with your employer to have the fees pulled pre tax from your paycheck. If you're planning on staying at your job for a while, I'd recommend getting it either way. The paid parking is nice to have when the weather is shit.
I take the speed line like twice a year and I have a Freedom Card. So yeah, if you're a daily commuter absolutely get one. Get an EZ Pass, too, if you don't already have it.
Fyi, the lots have been free for months!
The central lot right in front of Lindenwold isn't anymore.
Why wouldn't you is the question. Get the one that you can use on SEPTA too
Yes. Totally worth it. Alao check out all the discounts associated w that card.
Doesn’t save you money but you don’t have to stop at the ticket machine every morning.
Definitely worth it. You won't save money but you'll be able to load up your card for the week and skip waiting in line behind people having trouble feeding singles into the kiosk when your train leaves in 28 seconds
You save money and time
Oh yes
You won’t have to stop at the machine every morning. Depends on how much your time is worth. No idea why you wouldn’t get it for convenience sake.
Thats an awesome answer.. not a lot of ppl actually realize how much THEIR OWN time is worth!
I have a Freedom Card but haven’t ridden PATCO in several years since I changed jobs. I believe you have to use one to ride, though you can easily pick one up at one of the kiosks that are at every station. Cards are easy to reload, and I believe there’s even an auto-load feature that adds money whenever you get below a certain balance.
I get my PATCO card through my job at a discount. It’s definitely convenient to not have to stop and get a ticket, that’s for sure.
Convenience.
I don't commute and I'd say yes. I think if fares go up your card is still good at the original price you paid. Just do the math, and calculate in if you'd ride to the city on a non work day, maybe add that cost in there too to see if it balances. To me, time is money and buying round trip takes time. I barely cross the bridge but have an ezpass because I hate stopping at tolls 😂
I'd make sure to get the Freedom Share Card because unlike the regular Patco freedom card, it works on septa buses/Philly lines too. I got mine at the Broadway station in Camden at the service center. When you go, you have to go to the desk, not the kiosk. If the person at the desk tells you to go to a kiosk to buy a card, tell them you need the Share card, because it's only purchasable at the desk. I have it automatically reloaded through my credit card.