The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is poised to implement sweeping service reductions and fare hikes as it grapples with a projected $213 million budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. SEPTA’s proposed budget, revealed Thursday, outlines a phased plan to slash service by up to 45 percent by January 2026 unless additional state funding is secured.
Why It Matters
The proposed SEPTA cuts threaten to reshape daily life for hundreds of thousands of riders in Southeastern Pennsylvania. If enacted, the 45 percent reduction in service would dismantle key routes across the bus, subway, and Regional Rail systems, potentially stranding entire neighborhoods and eliminating nighttime service across most lines.
Beyond individual riders, the cuts could harm the region’s economy by increasing traffic congestion, limiting workforce mobility, and undercutting Philadelphia’s climate and equity goals. Public transit advocates warn the reductions could trigger a long-term “death spiral,” where declining service leads to fewer riders and even less funding.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator John Fetterman, both Democrats, have emphasized that the consequences are not limited to Philadelphia. Without legislative intervention, transit agencies statewide including Pittsburgh’s may face similar reductions.
What to Know
The proposed changes, which would affect bus, subway, and Regional Rail services, will be subject to a public hearing and a final board vote in June. If enacted, the plan would eliminate dozens of routes, reduce service frequency, increase fares by more than 20 percent, and implement hiring and salary freezes.
Is SEPTA Service Getting Cut?
Yes. If SEPTA does not receive permanent state-level operating support, it plans to enact a three-phase series of service cuts and fare increases. Beginning in August 2025, transit users would face a 20 percent reduction in services, followed by fare hikes in September and an additional 25 percent reduction in January 2026, for a total of 45 percent in cutbacks.
Why is SEPTA’s Service Getting Cut?
The expiration of federal COVID relief funding, rising operational costs, and lagging ridership revenue are driving SEPTA’s financial troubles. The agency says it has incurred higher costs due to inflation and expanded security needs.
Shapiro said funding proposals to support SEPTA passed the Pennsylvania House three times but stalled in the Senate.
“We have known for some time that SEPTA is in dire straits,” Shapiro said in a statement quoted by Philadelphia news station WHYY. “I’m committed to mass transit. I want to see [legislators] committed to it as well.”
How is Funding Changing SEPTA’s Service?
The funding gap stems from the exhaustion of federal relief funds and an inadequate state contribution. Last year, Shapiro reallocated over $150 million in federal highway funds to temporarily support SEPTA, but that fix runs out in June 2025. Without legislative action, SEPTA will proceed with service reductions to balance its budget.
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, a Republican, acknowledged SEPTA’s cost-cutting efforts but argued that the agency must “come to the table with more modest requests.
How Could These Changes Impact Me?
The following changes would take effect if SEPTA’s budget plan is approved:
Eliminated in Fall 2025
- Buses: 1, 8, 12, 19, 30, 31, 35, 47M, 50, 62, 73, 78, 80, 88, 89, 106, 120, 126, 133, 150, 201, 204, 206, 311, 452, 461, 462, 476, 478, 484, BLVDDIR
Shortened in Fall 2025
- Buses: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 17, 27, 43, 61, 84, 115, 124, 125, 433, 441, 495
Reduced Service in Fall 2025
- Buses: 4, 6, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 79, 81, 82, 93, 96, 98, 99, 103, 104, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 117, 118, 123, 131, B1 OWL, K, L1 OWL,
Trolleys: T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, G
Metro: BSL, MFL, G, D1, D2
Reduced Regional Rail Service in Fall 2025 with services stopping at 9 p.m.
- Airport, Chestnut Hill East, Chestnut Hill West, Cynwyd, Fox Chase, Lansdale/Doylestown, Manayunk/Norristown, Media/Wawa, Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton, Warminster, West Trenton, Wilmington/Newark
Fall 2025 Fare Increase
- 21.5 percent fare increase (base fare rises to $2.90)
- Complete hiring freeze, including operator positions
Winter/Spring 2026 Changes
- G (converted to bus)
- T1 (converted to bus)
- B3 (Broad-Ridge Spur of BSL) — closing
Suspensions in 2026
- Chestnut Hill West, Cynwyd, Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton, Wilmington/Newark – suspended
What People Are Saying
Pittman told Newsweek: “Gov. Shapiro is seeking billions more in state spending as part of the budget this year, yet the reality of our fiscal situation in Pennsylvania is that massive spending increases are unrealistic due to the commonwealth’s structural shortfall. While the state budget cannot be all things to all people, spending negotiations are a two-way street, making any failure to act on additional funding equally the responsibility of the governor.”
Pittman added: “It is worthwhile noting that SEPTA has demonstrated a degree of progress with riders paying a fairer share and implementation of greater efficiencies. But the state cannot be left fully footing such a large transit increase. Given their own struggle with a structural deficit, I believe SEPTA should have an appreciation for our commonwealth’s fiscal deficit and come to the table with more modest requests. This burden should not be placed entirely on Pennsylvania taxpayers, most of whom do not live within the service region and do not realize any benefit from SEPTA.”
Fetterman in a statement: “SEPTA…faces a ‘death spiral’ if a state funding solution is not advanced.”
Fetterman, on X, formerly Twitter: “Increased fares, bus routes eliminated, rail services reduced – this isn’t good for anybody. Pennsylvania’s leaders must come together to fix this funding issue soon and prevent these devastating impacts from rolling out.”
What Happens Next
SEPTA will hold four public hearings at its headquarters on May 19 and 20, with additional capital budget hearings on May 21. The board is scheduled to vote on the final budget June 26.
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