SEPTA Faces Service Cuts

With the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) facing a $240 million budget deficit, will Philadelphia’s municipal workers have access to reliable public transit as the city demands a return to the office?

“Philadelphia’s transit system is in as tough a spot as any. The system’s buses, subways, trolleys and commuter trains still provide critical service to regional workers,” writes Jared Brey in Governing. Meanwhile, city workers are expected to go to the office five days a week, Yet the agency announced a hiring freeze and service cuts that could impact as much as 20 percent of the system and extend headways to one hour.

While some legislators have proposed alternate funding mechanisms, “lawmakers won’t have much time to strike a deal before SEPTA and other transit systems will need to start implementing service cuts and fare hikes. If that happens, advocates say it will leave riders stranded, stifle the recovery of the city’s downtown and office sector, and cause logistical challenges for big events such as the World Cup and the nation's 250th Independence Day celebration in 2026.”