On April 10, SEPTA released its budget proposal that includes 45% cuts in service – combined with major fare increases, workforce reductions, and a 9 PM curfew for all rail services, to combat a massive budget deficit for the new fiscal year on July 1.
This would include a fare increase averaging 21.5% for all riders, going into effect on Sept. 1, and the beginning of phasing out 50 bus routes. January of 2026 would see the elimination of five Rail Lines, with all these cuts resulting in the closure of 66 stations.
These deep service cuts will impact everyone, not just those who ride to work every day. We will see increased congestion on roads, declining property values, and less revenue for businesses if SEPTA is gutted. SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. highlighted these issues and more, also emphasizing the negative economic impact of SEPTA decreasing their supply and materials purchases, as well as layoffs.
This funding gap is, unfortunately, a common issue across the country and is primarily due to the ending of federal COVID-19 relief funding, combined with increased costs. These service cuts were announced along with SEPTA’s Capital Budget Proposal for the next year, which defers dozens of projects, de-emphasizing key initiatives such as station accessibility and more.
“These cuts to SEPTA’s service – which would hurt our economy and make it harder for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians to get to work, school, and wherever else they need to go – are completely avoidable… It is now squarely on the state Senate to come to the table and pass more funding for mass transit that their own constituents rely on.”
Governor Josh Shapiro, SEPTA Press Release, https://wwww.septa.org/news/septa-budget-service-cut-fare-increase-workforce-reductions-to-fill-deficit/
What can you do? – Take Action!
These cuts are not set in stone, it is up to the public to make their voices heard and make it clear to the Pennsylvania Senate that SEPTA is a crucial public good for commuters, riders, and all members of the public. You can attend public hearings and speak out for SEPTA, and contact your representatives to protect this public good. See below for email templates, and public meetings to attend.
SEPTA will hold three public hearings about the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget at SEPTA headquarters, located at 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107:
- Monday, May 19, 2025: 11 AM – 5 PM (Operating Budget, Fare Increases & Service Reductions)
- Tuesday, May 20, 2025: 10 AM – 4 PM (Operating Budget, Fare Increases & Service Reductions)
- Wednesday, May 21, 2025: 10 AM – 4 PM (Capital Budget)
In addition to commenting in-person, comments can be sent by email to operatingbudget@septa.org and capbudget@septa.org, or by calling (215) 580-7772 for Operating Budget and (215) 580-7771 for Capital Budget, or by U.S. mail (SEPTA Budgets, 1234 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Comments must be submitted by May 28. More information on submitting comments or attending hearings can be found here.
Information and graphics sourced from: https://wwww.septa.org/news/septa-budget-service-cut-fare-increase-workforce-reductions-to-fill-deficit/
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