SEPTA’s service cuts and fare increases are moving forward as Pennsylvania lawmakers remain at a standstill after failing again to pass a transportation bill, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today.
Fares are on track to rise by 21.5% on September 1 and the 20% service reduction is scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 24. SEPTA officials said they needed to know by Thursday that enough money had been secured from Tuesday’s Senate vote to amend a House bill that would fund SEPTA by raising fares and tapping into the Public Transportation Trust Fund.
The amendment allocates $292 million for mass transit this year and another $300 million in fiscal year 2026-2027. The bill went back to the House but was voted down.
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer said Wednesday that the Senate’s proposal isn’t helpful “because of the deference of capital dollars.”
If state money is made available on or after August 24, at least 10 days are needed to undo the cuts, officials said.
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According to a June memo, SEPTA projects a $213 million operating deficit due to a combination of factors, including the end of federal COVID relief funding and increases in the day-to-day costs of providing service to customers. The new base fare for Bus and Metro trips will be $2.90 if nothing changes.
In April, the transit agency released a budget proposal that would lead to “45% in service cuts – coupled with major fare increases, workforce reductions and a 9 p.m. curfew for all rail services – to address a massive structural budget deficit during the new fiscal year that starts July 1.”
16 bus lines will be shortened and 32 bus routes are scheduled to be eliminated, as well as special routes like the Mann Loop for concerts at the Mann Center in Fairmount Park and those for sports and other events, The Inquirer said.
If the budget issue is not resolved by the New Year, SEPTA will eliminate five Regional Rail lines and implement the 9:00pm rail curfew.
SEPTA held four public hearings regarding the proposal from May 19-21. Around that time, a Change.org petition titled “Secure Funding for SEPTA, Halt Service Reductions and Fare Increment” began circulating in response.