How SEPTA's service cuts will affect your trip
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
SEPTA's doomsday service cuts begin Aug. 24.
Why it matters: The changes will affect all SEPTA riders and threaten the long-term viability of the Philadelphia region's transit system.
The big picture: Despite several additional weeks of negotiations, Pennsylvania's divided government failed to reach a budget deal and boost SEPTA funding.
- SEPTA is putting in place service cuts due to a $213 million budget shortfall this year.
What they're saying: "With no new source of state funding secured, SEPTA has no choice but to move ahead with implementing these devastating cuts," spokesperson John Golden tells Axios.
Zoom in: The SEPTA cuts will lead to at least 275,000 more vehicles on the roads in the region, per a report from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
- The result: Travel speeds along major corridors in the region — think sections of I-95 and Schuylkill Expressway — will be slower and trips will take longer.
How it works: SEPTA will phase in service cuts on Aug. 24-25. They include:
- 🚌 Bus: 32 routes eliminated; 16 shortened; dozens with reduced service.
- 🚇 Metro: Reduced service for several lines, including the heavily used Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines.
- 🚋 Trolley: Reduced service on several routes.
🏟️ Plus: All special services running for games in South Philly, concerts and other major events are eliminated.
- That could leave fans without supplemental trains during Eagles and Phillies games.
Meanwhile, Philly schools open Aug. 25. The roughly 52,000 students who use SEPTA to get to and from their classrooms will be affected by the cuts.
💰 What else: On Sept. 1, SEPTA will hike fares by 21.5% on average for all riders.
- On Sept. 2, service cuts for Regional Rail start across more than 10 lines, including Airport, Chestnut Hill East, and Paoli/Thorndale Lines.
- New fall schedules for bus and Metro, and Regional Rail are on SEPTA's website.
What we're watching: If state lawmakers pass a budget with enough funding to reverse SEPTA's cuts, the agency will need at least 10 days to restore full service.