PHILADELPHIA — Without the approval of new state funding, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority officials said they are moving forward with a 21.5% fare increase on Sept. 1 and new Regional Rail schedules that implement 20% service cuts on Sept. 2.
This follows the 20% service cuts to bus and Metro trips that took effect on August 24, including the elimination of 32 bus routes – the first step taken by SEPTA to address what officials contend is a $213 million budget deficit.
The 21.5% fare increase will impact riders on all modes. The new base fare for bus and Metro trips will be $2.90 – tying New York’s MTA for the highest in the country.
“We are now at a place that none of us ever wanted to be,” SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said in a release. “This week has been very difficult for our customers. Wait times between trips are longer and vehicles are more crowded, affecting thousands of people trying to get to work and school on time.”
Also starting in September, SEPTA will freeze all hiring, including that of bus operators. Authority officials said they have worked hard to overcome a chronic shortage of operators that started during the pandemic.
Then on Jan. 1, service cuts will deepen with the elimination of five Regional Rail lines, 18 additional bus routes and the implementation of a 9 pm curfew on all remaining rail services. Officials said those steps are needed to balance this year’s budget, absent legislative action.
“We are continuing to work with Governor Shapiro and legislative leaders as they negotiate a funding solution,” Sauer said. “It was encouraging to see proposals from the House and Senate earlier this month that share a number of points of agreement. We are urging everyone to continue to build on this common ground in an effort to get a transit funding agreement done.”
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