Author Archives: Lauren Amway Fink

SEPTA Postpones Large Fare Increase Following Gov. Shapiro Funding Announcement

PHILADELPHIA (November 22, 2024) – Today, Gov. Shapiro announced stop-gap funding that will help SEPTA fill its operating budget deficit for this year, Fiscal Year 2025. This will enable SEPTA to postpone a major 21.5% fare increase that was proposed to start January 1, 2025. Public hearings for the proposal, scheduled for Dec. 13, have been cancelled.

“The governor’s continued support for SEPTA and public transportation is greatly appreciated, and it gives us a lifeline,” said SEPTA Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer. “SEPTA will continue to focus on providing safe, clean and reliable public transportation while taking steps to cut costs and enhance efficiency throughout the organization.”

The $153 million being flexed to SEPTA at the direction of Gov. Shapiro covers SEPTA’s projected operating budget gap through the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2025. However, SEPTA still faces an annual, structural budget deficit of at least $240 million without a permanent solution to Pennsylvania’s public transportation funding crisis.

Like many other transit agencies across the nation, SEPTA has hit a fiscal cliff as a result of the pandemic. One-time federal COVID relief funds were used to help cover the everyday expenses of running the system – maintaining service during the pandemic and supporting the post-pandemic recovery. Those funds were exhausted this past spring, creating a nearly quarter billion dollar annual budget deficit in the current fiscal year and beyond.

SEPTA’s Board on Thursday approved a plan that will increase fares by an average of 7.5% starting on Dec. 1. That fare increase is not impacted by today’s announcement. The larger, 21.5% proposal was announced recently, after the state legislature adjourned for the year without approving a plan proposed by Gov. Shapiro that would have provided new, sustainable funding for SEPTA and all public transit across the Commonwealth.

SEPTA will continue to work with its funding partners in Harrisburg on a long-term funding solution in the coming months. In the meantime, the Authority will have to prepare for the possibility of large fare increases and service cuts starting in summer 2025 if new funding is not in place.

For more information about SEPTA, please visit https://wwww.septa.org/.

SEPTA Contract Negotiations Update and Revised Service Interruption Plan 11/18/24

SEPTA Contract Negotiations Update

Potential Work Stoppage by City and Suburban Transit Division Workers Could Begin as Early as Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 19

Would Reduce SEPTA Service to Only Regional Rail and Limited Contract Service
As SEPTA and Transportation Workers Union (TWU) Local 234 continue to engage in good-faith negotiations toward reaching a new contract for the Authority’s City Transit Division workers, we wanted to advise you that the contracts with the unions representing Suburban Transit operators and mechanics are set to expire this week.

A simultaneous work stoppage by both City and Suburban Transit Division employees could begin as soon as tomorrow, Tuesday, November 19 and would severely limit SEPTA service.  Only Regional Rail, Paratransit (CCT Connect/SEPTA Access), and contracted services like LUCY would operate. 

SEPTA’s current contracts with SMART 1594 and TWU 234 Victory – which represents more than 530 operators and mechanics at SEPTA’s Victory District – expires tonight, November 18 at 11:59 PM.  The current contract between SEPTA and TWU 234 Frontier – which represents more than 200 operators and mechanics at SEPTA’s Frontier District – expires at 11:59 PM on Saturday, November 23.  These follow the expiration of SEPTA’s contract with TWU 234 on November 7.

While strike authorization votes have been taken, those actions do not necessarily mean there will be a work stoppage when contracts expire.  SEPTA management and union leadership will continue productive, good faith negotiations to reach a fair agreement and avoid a work stoppage.

This is a changing situation, and SEPTA encourages customers to monitor the SEPTA website, social media platforms and local media outlets for updated information about what service will operate in the event of a work stoppage by one or both of the City and Suburban Transit Divisions.
Important Resources & Links to Share and Follow
SEPTA Website – https://www.septa.org/

Service Interruption Guide –  https://wwww.septa.org/news/service-interruption-information/

X / Twitter – @SEPTA | @SEPTA_Social | @SEPTANews | @SEPTAPHILLY

Facebook –  https://www.facebook.com/ISEPTAPHILLY/

Instagram –  https://www.instagram.com/septaphilly/

Telephone –

·       Customer Service Call Center: 215-580-7800 (Para Información en Español llame al Luego marque el número 2)

·       CCT Customer Service: 215-580-7145

·       SEPTA Key: 855-567-3782
SERVICE INFORMATION – What Service Will & Will Not Operate
A concurrent work stoppage by City and Suburban Transit Divisions would impact the Service Interruption Plan SEPTA had developed in preparation for a potential City Transit Division work stoppage.  The Service Interruption Guide posted on SEPTA’s website at https://wwww.septa.org/news/service-interruption-information/ will be updated with new information and travel guidance for customers as contract statuses and negotiations dictate.

In the event of a simultaneous work stoppage by TWU 234 and SMART 1594, the following SEPTA services will not operate:

·       All City and Suburban Buses

·       Market-Frankford Line [L]

·       Broad Street Line [B]

·       City Trolleys [T] (10,11,13,15,34,36]

·       Suburban Trolleys [D] (Media-Sharon Hill – Routes 201/102)

·       Norristown High Speed Line [M]

Following are the only SEPTA services that will operate:

·       All 13 Regional Rail Lines

·       SEPTA Access (CCT Connect) – Paratransit and Senior Shared Ride

·       Contracted Services – LUCY (Loop through University City), Routes 310, 311, 204

All 13 Regional Rail Lines – Regional Rail service – including service to more than 50 stations in the City of Philadelphia – will operate on timetables posted on the Service Interruption Guide page. Additional trains will be added to some Lines and trains may make additional stops to accommodate anticipated ridership increases. Timetables and other information are posted at: https://wwww.septa.org/news/service-interruption-information/.

 LUCY (Loop through University City) – Green and Gold Loop service will operate regular routing from William H. Grey III 30th Street Station to selected University City destinations.

 SEPTA Access (CCT Connect) – Regular service will operate for registered ADA and Shared Ride customers. Customers may experience some delays due to increased demand and local street traffic.
FARE INFORMATION
All regular Regional Rail and transit fares will apply. Fares must be purchased before boarding. No cash will be accepted at entry gates or on platforms. Contactless payment is not accepted on Regional Rail trains; riders should have Travel Wallet funds or a valid pass loaded to their Key card.

Travel Wallet: Key Cards can be loaded online at SEPTAKey.org, by contacting the Call Center at 855-567-3782 or from Fare Kiosk located at Center City Rail Stations and SEPTA Sales Offices and participating retailers.

Quick Trips: Valid on the day purchased for one-way travel on Regional Rail trains purchased from Fare Kiosks or Sales Offices and needed for entry to the paid area at the stations. Prices vary by zone.

Using Monthly/Weekly TransPass+ and Zone One TrailPass for Regional Rail travel within the City of Philadelphia: Monthly TransPass+ or Zone One (1) TrailPasses loaded on SEPTA Key Cards will be valid for travel at all times, to all Regional Rail stations within the City of Philadelphia (with the exception of Forest Hills and Somerton).

Special Note About Tapping: Unlike tapping once for travel on buses and subway, Regional Trail Train trips require customers to tap at the station where they board AND the station they exit. This prevents overpayment.

Transit Pass Redemption:  Unused TransPass+ passes, purchased before a service interruption, will be eligible for a full or partial refund. Customers should contact the Key Call Center at 855-567-3782 to request a refund for any unused or partially used Transit Passes.

** General fare information is available on SEPTA’s website at https://wwww.septa.org/fares/.  Per trip costs are based on Zone/Distance and will be charged to Key card account balance.
CUSTOMER TRAVEL INFORMATION
During a work stoppage, customers are advised to plan ahead, pre-purchase fares and leave additional time before traveling.

All service interruption information will posted on the Service Interruption Guide page on SEPTA’s website – https://wwww.septa.org/news/service-interruption-information/ – and will also be accessible through the SEPTA homepage https://www.septa.org.

SEPTA Customer Service – 215-580-7800 | @SEPTA_Social – will operate with extended hours. Please visit www.septa.org and follow local media outlets for additional news and service updates.

SEPTA Key Customer Service Call Center – 855-567-3782 – hours are: Weekdays 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Weekends 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

SEPTA Ambassadors will also be deployed to Regional Rail stations throughout the City to provide assistance and information to customers during the morning and evening commutes.

Parking is available at most SEPTA Regional Rail stations. Surface lots $2.00, Garages $4.00.

Changes to Evening Boarding at Center City Regional Rail Stations – SEPTA is alerting customers to changes to Regional Rail boarding that will be in place at Center City Regional Rail stations during evening travel hours, from 2:45 PM to 7:00 PM at William H. Gray III 30th Street, Suburban, Jefferson, Temple University and Penn Medicine stations.  Riders will be directed to wait in line at the concourse level to ensure safety and avoid overcrowding on platforms.

SEPTA Fare Adjustment Public Hearings on October 16, 2024 at 10AM & 4pm

SEPTA announced proposed fare adjustments, including the elimination of a number of discounts, as the Authority faces a $240 million annual budget deficit with the exhaustion of federal COVID relief funds. Complete details on the fare proposal, including fare tables, tariffs and public hearing information are available on SEPTA’s website at https://wwww.septa.org/bulletins/fall-2024-proposed-fare-adjustments/

Public hearings will be held on October 16 at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Interested individuals will be able to participate in-person, at SEPTA Headquarters, or virtually via WebEx. Individuals may submit comments via email on the proposed fare modifications to operatingbudget@septa.org, provide oral comments via voicemail by calling 215-580-7772, or file written comments by mailing to the Director of Operating Budgets, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, 1234 Market St., 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. To be included in the official public record, comments must be received by Friday, October 18, 2024, at 5:00 PM.  Information on how your constituents can provide comment and feedback is available on the Fall 2024 Proposed Fare Adjustments page on SEPTA’s website.

Pending approval by the SEPTA Board on November 21, these proposed fare adjustments would go into effect on December 1.

SEPTA Phased Reinstatement of Parking Fees Continues- Update 10/5/24

SEPTA is reminding customers of the continued phased reinstatement of parking fees at surface lots and parking garages.   Full details – including information on the new parking app – are posted on SEPTA’s website at https://wwww.septa.org/news/parking-fee-reinstatement/.

New SEPTA Park App Now Available for Download –

For added convenience, SEPTA is offering customers multiple options to pay for parking, including the SEPTA Park app, which is now available for download in the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

At Stations, traditional slot boxes are being phased out and replaced with modern pay stations, which are being installed at all surface lots and garages. The new system will provide several convenient options to pay for parking: customers will enter the license plate number to pay for parking, not the space number.  These pay stations will accept credit/debit card, contactless payment (Apple, Google, Samsung Pay) and coins.

Customers should visit the Parking Fee Reinstatement page on SEPTA’s website to see when parking fees resume at their station and to prepare for travel by downloading the SEPTA Park App and learning more about the different ways to pay.

What to Know –

Schedule:

The phased launch began on September 23 and will continue through approximately November 15. Customers can view the complete schedule by visiting https://wwww.septa.org/news/parking-fee-reinstatement/. Stations coming on this week:

+ Monday (10/7): Cornwells Heights Station (Trenton Line)

+ Monday (10/7): Croydon Station (Trenton Line)

+ Monday (10/7): Bethayres Station (West Trenton Line)

+ Monday (10/7): Woodbourne Station (West Trenton Line)

+ Monday (10/7): Philmont Station (West Trenton Line)

+ Wednesday (10/9): Langhorne Station (West Trenton Line)

+ Wednesday (10/9): Somerton Station (West Trenton Line)

+ Wednesday (10/9): Yardley Station (West Trenton Line)

+ Wednesday (10/9): Warminster Station (Warminster Line)

+ Wednesday (10/9): Ardsley Station (Warminster Line)

+ Friday (10/11): Bryn Mawr Station (Paoli Line)

+ Friday (10/11): Haverford Station (Paoli Line)

+ Friday (10/11): Overbrook Station (Paoli Line)

+ Friday (10/11): Radnor Station (Paoli Line)

+ Friday (10/11): Colmar Station (Lansdale/Doylestown Line)

+ Friday (10/11): 69th Street Transportation Center (Market Frankford [L])

Fees:

·       As part of the reinstatement, daily parking rates at SEPTA-owned surface lots will increase to $2 from $1 and to $4 from $2 at the three garages: Frankford Transportation Center, Norristown, and Lansdal

·       Parking at surface lots will remain free on weekends and major holidays.

Other Tips:

·       Monthly permit parking fees at SEPTA-operated station surface lots and parking garages remain suspended until further notice.

·       All license plates must be visible from the parking aisles.  Customers are instructed to do not back in or pull through.

Collection of parking fees had been suspended for about four years during the pandemic and to attract customers back to the system in recovery.  Ridership on Regional Rail continues to grow, particularly on weekends, and SEPTA is addressing this increased customer demand with service adjustments included in the new Regional Rail schedules that went into effect on September 8.

PennDOT to Host In-Person Public Meeting for the Route 352 and U.S. 1 Improvement Project in Middletown Township, Delaware County

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to attend an in-person public meeting on Thursday, September 26, for the upcoming project to improve travel and safety on Route 352 and U.S. 1 in Middletown Township, Delaware County.

This project includes the reconstruction and reconfiguration of the interchanges of U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) with Route 352 (Middletown Road) and U.S. 1 (Media Bypass) with Baltimore Pike. The project also includes improvements at the adjacent intersections of U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) with Route 452 (Pennell Road), and Route 352 (Middletown Road) with Route 452 (Pennell Road).

Members of the public can attend an in-person public meeting on Thursday, September 26, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Middletown Township Administration Building.  The meeting will be conducted as an Open House Plans Display where citizens will have the opportunity to circulate among the subject displays to gather information and discuss the different facets of the project with PennDOT’s design team.

For more information on the upcoming meetings, project resources and other project information, please visit www.pa352us1delco.com. 

PennDOT to Host Virtual and In-Person Public Meetings for the Route 352 and U.S. 1 Improvement Project in Middletown Township, Delaware County

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to attend a live virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 19, and/or an in-person public meeting on Thursday, September 26, for the upcoming project to improve travel and safety on Route 352 and U.S. 1 in Middletown Township, Delaware County.

This project includes the reconstruction and reconfiguration of the interchanges of U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) with Route 352 (Middletown Road) and U.S. 1 (Media Bypass) with Baltimore Pike. The project also includes improvements at the adjacent intersections of U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) with Route 452 (Pennell Road), and Route 352 (Middletown Road) with Route 452 (Pennell Road).

As part of PennDOT’s public outreach program, the department encourages the public to attend the live virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 19, beginning at 7:00 PM, by clicking on this Microsoft Live Teams meeting link prior to the presentation start time. The department’s design team will deliver a project presentation before opening the meeting to questions using the platform’s Q&A feature.

Please note that internet access or a computer or mobile device are required to view the virtual meeting. Anyone with special needs or requiring special aid is requested to contact PennDOT Project Manager Madeleine Fausto at 610-205-6848 or Design Project Manager Ryan Binder at 215-861-1687.

Members of the public who are unable to join the online meeting, can attend an in-person public meeting on Thursday, September 26, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Middletown Township Administration Building.  The meeting will be conducted as an Open House Plans Display where citizens will have the opportunity to circulate among the subject displays to gather information and discuss the different facets of the project with PennDOT’s design team.

For more information on the upcoming meetings, project resources and other project information, please visit www.pa352us1delco.com. 

PennDOT to Host Open House Plans Display for Proposed Improvement Projects along I-95 in Delaware County

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to attend one of two I-95 Open Houses on Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17, to learn about the proposed projects along Interstate 95 between the Delaware state line and I-476 in Delaware County, including the I-95/U.S. 322 Interchange, the Chester noise walls, and other projects nearby.

The purpose of the public meetings is to update the community on these proposed improvement projects and to gather comments and feedback. The meeting will be conducted as an Open House where citizens will have the opportunity to circulate among the subject displays to gather information and discuss the different facets of the project with PennDOT’s design teams.
The dates and locations for the two upcoming public meetings are:
Monday, September 16, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
True Vine Missionary Full Gospel Baptist Church
701 Morton Ave., Chester, PA 19013
Tuesday, September 17, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Chester City Hall Community Room
1 E. 4th Street, Chester, PA 19013
If you have questions, need additional information, or have special needs requiring assistance prior to the upcoming meetings, please contact info@95revive.com.
For more information on the proposed I-95 projects in Delaware County, visit www.95Delco.com or call the I-95 Helpline at 215-513-1399.
Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at the PennDOT Projects page: https://gis.penndot.pa.gov/paprojects/PAProjects.aspx

Minimize your impact on I-95 traffic. Visit dctma.org/commute95 to stay up to date on all the latest I-95 construction updates and find out ways to make your commute easier. To sign up for our Weekly I-95 Distribution List, email: info@dctma.org.

Public hearings for SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget have been scheduled the week of May 20, 2024

SEPTA reminds customers that Public hearings for SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget have been scheduled the week of May 20.  SEPTA has released its proposed total budget of $2.6 billion for Fiscal Year 2025 – a $1.74 billion Operating Budget and $922.8 million Capital Budget.

SEPTA’s budget relies on funding from Governor Shapiro’s proposed statewide transit funding proposal.   The Governor’s proposed $283 million annual statewide operating investment in public transportation, including $161 million for SEPTA, would be Pennsylvania’s largest transit funding increase in more than a decade.
The $1.74 billion Operating Budget Proposal includes a doubling in funding for safe, clean, and secure initiatives since Fiscal Year 2022 – a total of $72 million that includes funding for 40 more police officers, 30 more safety professionals, and 100 more cleaners. The proposal also features the ongoing expansion of SEPTA Key Advantage, which now has 50 partners and 91,000 participants, as well as SEPTA’s Efficiency and Accountability Program, which has already recognized $50.2 million in annual recurring benefits.

The $922.8 million Capital Budget Proposal is part of an all-time high $14 billion 12-year Capital Program, enabling the largest-ever investments in improved safety, cleanliness, and security – supported by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA). The proposal includes new full-length fare gates to reduce fare evasion and new cleaning equipment to support the expanded cleaning staff.

By the end of the 12-year program, all Broad Street Line [B], Market-Frankford Line [L], and Trolley trips will be through an accessible station – compared to 61% today. SEPTA continues to operate one of the oldest rail fleets in the country, and for the first time, this budget funds at least a partial replacement of each aging fleet. The Broad Street Line [B], Market-Frankford Line [L], and Trolley fleet replacements are all fully funded, while the Regional Railcar fleet replacement is partially funded.

There will be four public hearings on the Operating Budget and two public hearings on the Capital Budget. The SEPTA Board will consider the proposals at its June meeting. If approved, they will go into effect with the start of Fiscal Year 2025 on July 1.

Operating Budget Hearings:

Capital Budget Hearings:

The hearings will take place in-person at SEPTA Headquarters – 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA  19107 – and virtually via WebEx.  Information on how to participate and submit comments is available online at https://wwww.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/board/public/FY2025-Budget-Hearing-Public-Notice.pdf

For the first time, the Authority’s Operating and Capital Budget Proposals are being presented as an integrated document on a modern web platform, which is ADA compliant to ensure that people with visual or hearing impairments can navigate SEPTA’s budget data.  Customers and members of the public are encouraged to review the budget information and participate in the public process.