The state has not offered a sustainable source of funding to meet the transit agency’s $240 million budget gap.
Officials from Philadelphia’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) are warning that the agency will have to make steep fare hikes and service cuts as it faces a $240 million budget shortfall.
As Joe Brandt reports for CBS News, SEPTA COO Scott Sauer made a dire prediction: “Service cuts and fare increases resulting from fewer riders, lead to more service cuts and more fare increases, resulting in fewer riders. Until ultimately public transit is no longer relevant.”
Even before the pandemic, the agency relied heavily on state, local, and federal subsidies to make up the gap between fare revenue and its operating expenses.
Under the agency’s plan, fares will increase by almost 30 percent in 2025, while service will be cut by 20 percent across the board. SEPTA has already reinstated parking fees at agency-owned lots and eliminated rider discounts.
FULL STORY: How is SEPTA funded? Inside the Philadelphia transit agency's budget – and what's behind the "death spiral"
Philadelphia Could Lose Free Transit Program
The city’s upcoming budget doesn’t include the Zero Fare program, which offers free SEPTA fare to more than 24,000 residents.
SEPTA Awarded $153 Million to Stave Off Fare Hikes
Philadelphia’s struggling transit system will be able to delay a 30 percent fare raise, but the temporary fix won't do nearly enough to close its budget gap.
SEPTA Faces Service Cuts
Philadelphia wants its city workers back in the office, but getting there may be a challenge.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Renters Now Outnumber Homeowners in Over 200 US Suburbs
High housing costs in city centers and the new-found flexibility offered by remote work are pushing more renters to suburban areas.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Supreme Court Ruling in Pipeline Case Guts Federal Environmental Law
The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)