SEPTA Proposes Service Cuts and Fare Increases to Address Budget Deficit

SEPTA revealed a new budget proposal on Thursday that could drastically reduce services, raise fares by over 20%, and cut jobs. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The plan comes in response to a projected $213 million budget gap for the upcoming fiscal year, starting July 1. If the agency doesn’t secure additional funding soon, the cuts will impact bus, subway, and Regional Rail services.

Proposed SEPTA Service Cuts and Fare Hikes

Under the proposed budget, SEPTA plans to cut 45% of its services, which includes eliminating dozens of bus routes and significantly reducing trips on all rail services. These reductions would take effect with the start of fall schedules on August 24. The SEPTA board is set to vote on the budget proposal on June 26.

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Details of the proposed service cuts and fare increases are outlined in a timeline released by SEPTA. Starting August 24, 2025, the agency will eliminate 32 bus routes and shorten 16 others. Additionally, services on 88 bus, metro, and Regional Rail lines will be reduced, and special services like the Sports Express will end. In September 2025, SEPTA will increase fares by 21.5%, raising the base fare to $2.90.

On January 1, 2026, additional cuts will take place, including the elimination of 5 Regional Rail routes and 18 bus routes. The Broad-Ridge Spur (B3) will be discontinued, and Routes 10 and 15 trolleys will be converted to buses. A 9 p.m. curfew will be imposed on all remaining metro and Regional Rail services.

SEPTA Faces Financial Challenges and Cost Increases

In response to these cuts, SEPTA will freeze salaries, halt new hires, and reduce contracts starting in the fall. The agency blames the budget deficit on the end of federal COVID relief funds and rising operational costs. Despite a recovery in ridership, SEPTA continues to face financial challenges, including increased crime, disorder, and inflation.

SEPTA leadership has already implemented austerity measures, such as a freeze on management pay and cuts to third-party consultants, saving $30 million. Additionally, a recent 7.5% fare increase and the reinstatement of paid parking at Regional Rail lots have generated some revenue.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has supported increased funding for SEPTA, but the state Senate has failed to act on the proposal. Shapiro remains hopeful that the Senate will take up the funding request soon. Last year, he diverted over $150 million in federal highway funds to SEPTA to prevent immediate service reductions and fare hikes.

Public hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget will take place at SEPTA headquarters on May 19 and May 20. The agency is encouraging public input, which can be submitted via email, voicemail, or U.S. mail by May 28. SEPTA will review all feedback before sending the final proposals to the board for approval.

For more information on the proposed budget, visit SEPTA.org.

Source: whyy.org

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