Despite months of lobbying and thousands of "Save the Train" lawn signs throughout Northwest Philadelphia, SEPTA is now proposing to increase fares by up to 29 percent and cut services by 20 percent across its transit system, marking the largest fare hike in the agency's history amid ongoing budget shortfalls.

The transit agency's board will consider an initial 7.5 percent fare increase on Nov. 21, to take effect Dec. 1. A second proposed increase of 21.5 percent would follow on Jan. 1, pending a Dec. 13 public hearing. The 20 percent service cuts would begin July 1. The increases would be the first since July 2017, raising weekday fares to Center City from the current $3.75-$8.25 with a SEPTA Key to as much as $10.64. Bus fares, now $2-$2.50, would also increase.

SEPTA projects an annual operating budget deficit of at least $240 million. In July, the agency received a one-time infusion of $46 million in additional state support, combined with $7 million in local matching funds, but officials say this temporary fix isn't enough to prevent the proposed cuts.

"For the last two years, we have urged action in Harrisburg so that we could avoid these draconian measures," said SEPTA Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer. "We were hopeful a solution would come this fall, but it has not materialized. We now have no choice but to move forward with a proposal for major fare increases and service cuts. This is going to be painful for all of our riders and will have major economic and social impacts on our city, region and the Commonwealth as a whole."

The agency is not yet saying whether specific rail lines would be cut, and Kelly Greene, a senior press officer for SEPTA, has said "The cuts will be equitable across the board." But Northwest Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill West line – which has some of the smallest ridership figures in the system – has long been considered vulnerable to cuts.

“So many people depend solely on SEPTA’s buses, trolley and subway system to traverse the city that any service cuts will cause a multitude of problems for those traveling to work, medical appointments, and shopping at a minimum,” Charles L. Richardson, chief of staff for City Councilmember Cindy Bass, told the Local. “I am hopeful that Gov. Shapiro and the legislature see that inaction will ultimately signal the beginning of the slow death of the SEPTA system and impair the life and economy of the Philadelphia region.”

Robert Previdi, policy director for Save the Train – a coalition that includes Chestnut Hill College, West Mt. Airy Neighbors and the Chestnut Hill Community Association among others – calls the proposal "devastating" and warns it risks further reducing ridership.

"The problem for SEPTA is that for so long now, nearly 30 years, they've been underfunded on the operating and capital sides," he told the Local. "It's difficult to make efficiencies when you're constantly barely keeping your head above water. The root of the issue lies with two things, funding to get SEPTA rolling in the right direction, and then getting the ridership and having people choose with their feet what kind of mobility they want to have in their community."

In October, the Pennsylvania House passed a bill to increase sales tax funding for public transit, but the measure stalled when the Senate ended its session Nov. 13.

State Democratic majority leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson expressed deep concern about the upcoming cuts.

"I want to thank General Manager Leslie Richards, Acting Board Chair Ken Lawrence, and the entire team at SEPTA for their continued work in ensuring Philadelphians have safe and reliable access to our public transit system," she said. "However, I am deeply concerned following the announcement that SEPTA may be forced to increase fares by 21.5 percent across the board, in addition to a 7.5 percent fare increase as a result of eliminating rider discounts, as well as the possibility that service may be cut by 20 percent. This is especially concerning amidst the ongoing contract negotiations with Transport Workers Union Local 234, who I support."

While increased funding remains crucial, Previdi says there is one simple thing people can do that both increases revenue for SEPTA and helps the environment: Just ride the train and take the bus.

A single commuter switching from driving to public transit can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 pounds daily – more than 4,800 pounds annually, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

The agency, Previdi said, must do a better job of combating cultural attitudes and habits about the ease of public transit as compared to driving.

"Nobody's advertising for public transportation use, but we are constantly bombarded with automobile ads," Previdi said. "If we don't think advertising works, we just came through a huge political campaign. Why are they spending billions if advertising doesn't work?"

To advertise, however, SEPTA would need more funding, Previdi notes. The agency announced the fare increases and service cuts after what a SEPTA press release called "no prospect of a statewide solution to help fund the everyday operating expenses of public transportation systems."

"I think that it is perpetuating the slow demise of SEPTA," Previdi said. "We're going to have to work on growing ridership, and I don't think anybody in the Northwest wants to give up on public transportation, and we're not, but we're going to have to come together as a community and seriously think about what do we want SEPTA to do for us, and how can we better engage with SEPTA."