A Philadelphia judge on Friday halted planned service cuts to several SEPTA Regional Rail lines.
The temporary injunction, which was issued by a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge, halts cuts to the Lansdale-Doylestown, Trenton, West Trenton, and Warminster lines that were scheduled to begin Tuesday morning.
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer told NBC 10 that the agency would “do our best to try to comply 100 percent with what the judge has asked us to do.”
Sauer warned of potential confusion for commuters.
“Be patient with us. It’s likely to be very confusing to start next week,” he told the TV station.
The service reductions were part of SEPTA’s efforts to address a $213 million budget deficit, which the agency hopes to fill with state funding that is stalled in Harrisburg.
The lawsuit against SEPTA was filed this week by attorney George Bochetto on behalf of three transit users.
According to WHYY News, Bochetto alleges that SEPTA is “making up” the “fiscal crisis” to pressure state lawmakers for additional money for its budget.
A copy of the judge’s order obtained by 6abc directed SEPTA to “immediately cease and desist all further additional route cuts, service reductions, layoffs, furloughs, and any and all other actions.”
The injunction does not affect already in place cuts to bus lines and the subway system, according to a report from 6abc.
It was not immediately clear if a fare increase of more than 20 percent, which is slated to take effect this weekend, would still be implemented.
SEPTA and the plaintiffs are scheduled to appear before the judge next Thursday morning in a Center City courtroom.
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