The Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget approved by the SEPTA Board recently includes systemwide service reductions of 45%, a 21.5% fare increase, and other measures that are needed to balance a $213 million recurring budget deficit without passage of adequate new state funding for public transportation.
SEPTA is grateful for the ongoing efforts of the region’s legislative delegation who are fighting tirelessly to enact the Governor’s transit funding plan that would prevent those drastic measures from taking effect and ensure SEPTA and transit agencies across Pennsylvania have the resources needed to maintain vital service.
While everyone awaits final state action on this critical transit funding — the start of SEPTA’s fiscal year on July 1, 2025 set in motion planning and preparations that SEPTA must take to ready operations for the drastic changes that will potentially begin on August 24. Many of these actions have been occurring behind the scenes but in the coming days and weeks — this work will intensify and become more public.
We know you are following this situation closely and SEPTA Government Affairs wanted to make sure you are aware of the timeline for this work:
- Staff are currently finalizing two sets of schedules for all service modes—one set of schedules based on current service levels and another set reflecting a 20% across the board service cut. Both sets of schedules will be sent for printing.
- Week of July 21: Frontline Bus, Metro, and Regional Rail operators across the Authority will pick their shifts for the two different schedules.
- Beginning as early as July 23: Staff will start installing signage at bus stops throughout the region notifying customers of discontinued routes and eliminated stops.
- Week of August 4: Fall service schedules will be publicly released.
- Week of August 4 thru August 24 and beyond: Intense public outreach to customers advising them of specific service changes and how they will impact their ability to travel.
It is important to understand that implementing the reduced service plan and properly notifying the public of these changes takes time. While the new schedules will take effect on August 24—necessary steps are already underway.
As full implementation of service reductions nears—it will be difficult to reverse before the new schedules begin.
Information on the service reduction plan and route specific details are available on SEPTA’s website at https://wwww.septa.org/fundingcrisis/service-cuts/
