Aug. 14 was the last chance for the state legislature to prevent the first round of SEPTA cuts, which begin this upcoming Sunday, Aug. 24.

With the deadline missed, SEPTA will implement a 20% cut to all services in an attempt to close a recurring budget deficit. The cuts will include the elimination of 32 bus routes, along with reductions in trips on all rail modes, and the end of all special services, including the Sports Express on the Broad Street Line.

In an Aug. 6 press release, SEPTA wrote, “The implementation deadline must be set for SEPTA to have time to complete a series of critical pre-schedule change tasks. This includes finalizing work schedules for thousands of frontline workers and other staff, and ensuring equipment is in place, and ready for service.”

The statement continued, “These processes typically take a minimum of three weeks to complete for routine schedule changes, but will be compressed to less than 10 days to ensure all facets of SEPTA’s operation are ready for new schedules on Aug. 24.”

In a statement to the Local, Bob Previdi, policy director for the Save the Train Coalition, wrote “Without reliable operating support, SEPTA cannot maintain or improve the level of service that residents across our region rely on every day.

“The agency has a bold and thoughtful vision through initiatives like Reimagining Regional Rail, Trolley Modernization, and the Bus Revolution, all designed to improve service, increase frequency, and replace aging infrastructure, including worn-out Broad Street and Regional Rail cars,” Previdi continued. “Just this year, four Regional Rail cars have caught fire, an ominous sign we can no longer ignore.”

Along with the 32 eliminated bus routes, lines such as the 18, 23, 51(L), 53, 71(H), and 81(XH) in Northwest Philadelphia, will see reduced service starting in August.

If the impasse between state Senate Republicans and House Democrats continues, a 21.5% fare increase will go into effect Sept. 1, with the base fare increased to $2.90, along with a hiring freeze for SEPTA.

On Jan. 1, SEPTA is set to eliminate five Regional Rail lines, including Chestnut Hill West, Paoli/Thorndale, Cynwyd, Wilmington/Newark, and Trenton. A 9 p.m. curfew would go into effect for all remaining Metro and Regional Rail services. January would also see the elimination of 24 more bus routes.

In a statement to the Local, Andrew Busch, SEPTA’s director of media relations, said, “As of where things stand with funding now, we are moving ahead with our preparations to begin service cuts on Aug. 24.”

The statement continued, “If funding can be secured, we would then work as quickly as possible to reverse the cuts; however, after today, it is likely customers will experience disruptions due to the fact that it will take us close to two weeks to change course once we are moving ahead with cuts.”

Khan said, “I’m grateful to neighbors and groups like ‘Save the Train’ for speaking up. Their calls and letters are why the Senate finally admitted we have a transit crisis.”

State Sen. Art Haywood (D), who represents Northwest Philadelphia, told the Local in a statement, “Lack of adequate funding for SEPTA and public transit attacks the dignity of neighbors who rely on public transit to get to work, see family, and live their daily lives ... Pennsylvania has the resources to fund SEPTA and transit systems across the Commonwealth. Senate Republicans would rather play revenge politics over events from 15 years ago than invest in the dignity and mobility of our neighbors today.”

Political turmoil

In November 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro redirected $153 million in federal highway funding to SEPTA. These funds delayed potential service cuts and fare increases in hopes of providing the legislature more time to agree on a long-term funding solution for SEPTA and public transit across the state.

Shapiro’s annual budget proposal called for adding an additional $292.5 million into mass transit across the Commonwealth by 2026, increasing to more than $330 million in 2029.

The Democrat-controlled state House has since put forth funding proposals, backed by Shapiro, SEPTA, and public transit advocacy groups such as Save the Train. However, each attempt has since stalled in the Republican-controlled state Senate.

On Tuesday, Aug, 12, ahead of the Aug. 14 deadline, State Sen. Joe Picozzi, a Republican representing Northeast Philadelphia, proposed an amendment to House Bill 257, diverting money from the Public Transportation Trust Fund, which is typically used for safety upgrades.

Previdi responded to the proposal, writing, “The proposed bill fails to provide a stable, long-term funding solution for SEPTA’s operating budget, and that must be our top concern. … This bill, put forward by the Senate, proposes to divert capital dollars, meant for long-term upgrades, to temporarily patch the operating budget. That’s a shortsighted and risky move. We’ve seen this play out before: in the 1970s, New York City did the same and spiraled into financial crisis.”

He added, “To make matters worse, the bill proposed fare hikes could push SEPTA’s prices above those of New York City’s system, making it unaffordable for many riders. If people can’t rely on safe, affordable public transit, they’ll resort to driving, further clogging already strained roads like I-76.”

Picozzi’s proposal, which was approved by the Senate, was quickly voted down a day later in the Democratic-controlled House Rules Committee. The Local reached out to Picozzi’s office for comment, but did not receive a response.

The proposal was not backed by SEPTA, with Busch writing, “SEPTA’s concern with that proposal was that most of the funding would have been taken from our capital budget, which pays for critical repairs, maintenance, and vehicle replacements. We are hopeful that continued negotiations can result in a viable long-term solution.”

If a budget agreement can be reached, the cuts are still reversible, requiring the likely two-week time frame to reverse course.

Khan said, “I’ll keep fighting for the SEPTA funding we need, and I urge advocates to keep the pressure on. Hopefully, the Senate will finally step up and deliver a real plan for transit, schools, and healthcare. Pennsylvanians deserve leaders who keep our buses, trains, and trolleys running.”

Tommy Tucker can be reached at Tommy@chestnuthilllocal.com.