The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority recently released its budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, featuring a 45 percent reduction in overall service and fare increases as it faces an operating budget deficit of $213 million. SEPTA has already reduced this deficit by implementing a hiring and wage freeze, but claims it has nothing left to cut from its budget other than service, unless the commonwealth steps in to help.
The effects of SEPTA’s funding crisis will begin on Aug. 24, 2025, with 32 bus routes eliminated, 16 bus routes shortened and reduced service of 88 other Bus, Metro, and Regional Rail lines. Every single Metro and Regional Rail line will have its service reduced. To select which lines to cut, SEPTA officials chose routes with either low ridership (averaging less than 300 riders per day) or that overlap with other routes. All other routes would see up to a 20 percent reduction in service.
On Sept. 1, riders will see a fare increase of up to 21.5 percent across all SEPTA transportation modes, with the base fare rising from $2.50 to $2.90. Additionally, all special services for sporting events, concerts and any major events will be completely cut.
On Jan. 1, 2026, further cuts will be made, eliminating five Regional Rail lines: the Cynwyd Line, Chestnut Hill West Line, Paoli/Thorndale Line, Trenton Line and Wilmington/Newark Line. With these cuts, 63 Regional Rail stations will close, a total of 44 percent of SEPTA’s Regional Rail miles.
Another 18 bus routes will be cut, as well as the spur service of the Broad Street Line. The 10 and 15 Trolleys will be replaced with buses following the same routes, just a year and a half after restoring Route 15’s historic green and cream Presidents’ Conference Committee trolleys. Unlike the first phase of ridership-based cuts, these lines were chosen to close maintenance facilities, close stations and reduce staffing needs.
Every single remaining Metro and Regional Rail line will be subject to a 9:00 p.m. curfew, meaning no subway or rail line will run after 9:00 p.m. SEPTA will be unable to support the massive crowds expected for the six FIFA World Cup 2026 games set to be hosted at Lincoln Financial Field, the MLB All-Star Game hosted at Citizens Bank Park or any other major event in 2026.
Public hearings for the Operating Budget Proposal will be held at SEPTA headquarters at 1234 Market Street on May 19 and 20. Public hearings for the Capital Budget Proposal will be held on May 21.