SEPTA approves budget proposal that includes service cuts, fare hikes
SEPTA board approves budget which will cut routes and increase fares
SEPTA's board has approved a new budget proposal that called for fare increases and cuts to some services.
PHILADELPHIA - SEPTA's board approved a new budget proposal that called for fare increases and cuts to some services.
The proposal comes as the transit authority says it's still trying to reach pre-pandemic levels of ridership.
Last year, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro helped keep SEPTA running smoothly with $153M in federal highway funds.
Still, SEPTA says a $213M budget deficit remains.
What we know:
SEPTA says the budget proposal includes plans to cut service by 45% and raise fares by 21.5% during the 2026 fiscal year.
The plan, according to SEPTA, is to address the transit authority's $213M structural budget deficit.
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New SEPTA budget proposal includes significant cuts in service, fare increases
SEPTA’s new budget proposal is calling for significant cuts in all modes of service while also calling for fare increases
Officials have blamed ridership that's still below pre-pandemic levels for forcing the cuts and fare hikes.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro helped keep SEPTA afloat in 2024 by funneling $153M of federal highway funds.
What they're saying:
The Olney Transportation Center in North Philly is a bustling hub of buses and people on the move.
For James Bond of North Philly, SEPTA is his only form of transportation.
"It’s very important we need to get back and forth to work. Sometimes there are delays and it’s bad, but we still need SEPTA," he said.
Officials warn that without an infusion of dollars from the state budget being hammered out in Harrisburg, SEPTA will drop 50 bus routes and five regional rail lines.
"This is a vote none of us wanted to take," said SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. "We have worked hard as an Authority to prevent this day from coming because we understand the impact it will have on our customers and the communities we serve. To be clear, this does not have to happen – if state lawmakers can reach an agreement to deliver sufficient, new funding for public transit.
After the vote to approve the cuts, General Manager Scott Sauer said he’s hopeful they can be avoided with help from Harrisburg, but added, "we will continue with our preparations for the first set of service cuts by August 24th followed by our far increases by September first."
Back in North Philly, passengers pile on buses or wait for the next one to arrive.
The threat of losing her SEPTA bus service makes rider Taleya Singleton deeply concerned.
"Don’t do it. I got things to do I need the buses to keep rolling," she said.
What's next:
Since the budget was approved, once the fall schedule change occurs on August 24, customers will see the elimination of 32 bus routes and significant reductions in trips on all rail services, including the end of special services like Sports Express.
On September 1, a fare increase averaging 21.5% for all riders will go into effect.
A press release from SEPTA obtained by FOX 29 says the new base fare for Bus and Metro trips will be $2.90.
At the same time, SEPTA will also freeze all hiring, including bus operators.
On January 1, 2026 service cuts will impact the elimination of five Regional Rail lines, more bus routes, and the implementation of a 9 p.m. curfew on all remaining rail services.
"This budget will effectively dismantle SEPTA – leaving the City and region without the frequent, reliable transit service that has been an engine of economic growth, mobility, and opportunity," said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer. "Once this dismantlement begins, it will be almost impossible to reverse, and the economic and social impacts will be immediate and long-lasting for all Pennsylvanians – whether they ride SEPTA or not.