SEPTA braces for big cuts, fare hike amid budget crisis

Driving the news: SEPTA forecasts slashing service by 45% while hiking fares 21.5% unless the budget gap is filled in the coming fiscal year, which starts in July, transit officials said at a news conference Thursday.

• Plus: All rail service would end at 9pm.
• Future years would likely bring more cuts along with the closure of facilities, like bus districts.

What they're saying: "All this would leave our city and region with a SEPTA that is a shadow of itself," SEPTA's interim general manager Scott Sauer said at the news conference.

State of play: The agency needs at least $168 million in new state funding — which Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed in his budget.

• SEPTA officials would get additional contributions from local governments, while ongoing cost-cutting efforts and less significant fare increases could help bridge the remaining spending gap.

Context: It's déjà vu for SEPTA.

• Last year, state Republican lawmakers in the Senate balked at SEPTA officials' calls to develop long-term funding for the transit agency to stave off big annual budget deficits.
• The causes of SEPTA's budget woes are many, which include the loss of COVID relief funding, rise in costs and drop in ridership post-pandemic.

Yes, but: Before SEPTA gave the green light on big cuts and fare hikes last year, Shapiro unilaterally redirected $153 million in federal highway funding to the transit agency.

The intrigue: Shapiro will have to get any future funding increases for SEPTA through a divided government.

• While Democrats control the state House, Republicans hold the Senate.

How it works: The first round of SEPTA changes would start Aug. 24, including:

• 🚌 Elimination of 32 bus routes, coupled with shortening 16 routes and reducing service on 88 more.
• 🚇 Service cuts on Regional Rail, Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines, as well as trolley lines.

💰 Meanwhile, fare increases would hit Sept. 1.

• Pay-per-ride prices for bus and Metro fares would reach $2.90, up from $2.50.
• Monthly TrailPass prices for all Regional Rail zones would rise to $255, up from $204.

A second round of cuts would kick in Jan. 1, including:

• ❌ Elimination of five Regional Rail lines — including Paoli/Thorndale — and 18 more bus routes.
• 🚎 Conversion of two trolley lines into bus service.
• ⏰ A 9pm curfew on all rail service.

Shapiro spokesperson Manuel Bonder tells Axios the governor has already proposed supporting transit across the state.

• "The governor has made very clear that SEPTA cuts would be devastating, and he's been clear they are completely avoidable," he said.

Chellie Cameron, head of the region's chamber of commerce, said in a statement that SEPTA cuts would cause challenges for businesses.

• "Employers would experience increased hiring challenges. And worst of all, talent and businesses could leave the region altogether," she said.

What's next: Public hearings on SEPTA's budget are May 19-20 at its headquarters in Center City.

• The state Legislature has until July to approve a budget — but elected officials have been known to punt on that deadline.