Facing a significant budget shortfall, SEPTA on Thursday proposed slashing 45 percent of its services, laying off staff, and raising fares. Major impacts are expected in Bucks County and across the region.
The proposed cuts, which would begin in August and a new phase would start in January 2026, include the complete elimination of the Trenton Regional Rail Line that stops in Bristol Borough, Bristol Township and Tullytown Borough. Some bus lines would be eliminated under the proposal. Other Bucks County services, including bus lines and the West Trenton, Doylestown, and Warminster Regional Rail lines, would also see reductions.
SEPTA’s plan would also eliminate four other Regional Rail Lines and 50 bus routes throughout the region. Additionally, all special event services, like those for sporting events and concerts, would be scrapped, and subway and rail service would cease at 9 p.m. daily.
The transit agency also proposed a 21.5 percent fare increase across all lines, which, according to SEPTA, would make it among the nation’s most expensive public transit systems.
Despite millions in cost cutting, temporary financial aid from the state, and an increase in ridership, SEPTA is proposing the cuts that will impact its 753,937 daily passengers.
SEPTA, which serves Southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware, cited the end of federal funding, increased operating costs and challenges related to crime and disorder as factors contributing to the budget deficit.
Despite cost-cutting measures, including a management pay freeze and reductions in consultant spending, the agency still faces a projected $213 million shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The cuts have slashed the deficit from $240 million to $213 million in recent months.
While SEPTA has cut costs and seen ridership increase since COVID-19 lows, the agency is suffering from the end of federal COVID-19 relief money and increased operating costs. SEPTA has also had to grapple with the impact of inflation on everyday necessities such as fuel, power and supplies.
“This doesn’t have to happen,” said SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth Lawrence Jr. “Gov. Shapiro has proposed a funding plan that would ensure all transit agencies across Pennsylvania have the budget stability needed to serve their communities. It is very important that our riders, advocates, the business community, and other stakeholders make their voices heard in Harrisburg this spring.”
Lawmakers in Harrisburg have been discussing new funding for SEPTA that would hold off cuts and service disruptions.
SEPTA Interim General Manager Scott Sauer pointed to the impact of the proposed cuts on daily commuters and the regional economy.
“We know how critical service is to our customers and the region, and we have done everything possible to avoid the drastic measures that are proposed in this budget,” he said.
SEPTA officials noted that the transit agency is an economic driver for the region, which contributes 38 percent of all of Pennsylvania’s tax revenues and 41 percent of all economic activity in the state.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
The agency warned the cuts would worsen roadway congestion and negatively impact businesses, including healthcare systems that rely on SEPTA for employee and patient transportation.
SEPTA also released its Capital Budget Proposal, which includes deferring numerous projects due to funding constraints and inflation. The move would delay accessibility improvements.
SEPTA will hold four public hearings about the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget at SEPTA Headquarters in Philadelphia on May 19 at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and May 20 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Capital Budget hearings will be held on May 21 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
In addition to commenting in-person, the public can submit comments by email at operatingbudget@septa.org and capbudget@septa.org, voicemail by calling 215-580-7772 for Operating Budget and 215-580-7771 for Capital Budget, or mail to SEPTA Budgets, 1234 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Comments must be submitted by May 28.
The SEPTA Board is scheduled to vote on the budgets on June 26.
More information is available at https://www.septa.org/budget.
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