PennDOT has Approved One-Time Use of Capital Funds for Daily Operations;

Long-Term Funding Solution Still Needed

PHILADELPHIA (September 8, 2025) – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) approved SEPTA’s request for the one-time use of its state capital assistance to cover operations.

As a result, SEPTA will restore full service on Sunday, Sept. 14, including the 20% Bus and Metro service cuts that started on Aug. 24. The 21.5% system-wide fare increase will also be reinstated on Sept. 14.

“This is not the long-term funding solution we need to address our $213 million budget deficit,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer. “But over the last two weeks, we have seen the devastating effects of the service cuts on our customers. Our riders deserve better, and they deserve stability.”

Due to the prolonged state budget impasse and no resolution to the statewide transit funding crisis, SEPTA took the unprecedented step last Friday of requesting this emergency flexibility to reduce the impact of service cuts on riders. During the week of Aug. 25, SEPTA left more than 4,400 people behind at bus and trolley stops due to crowded conditions caused by running less service. The number of bus trips running late was up more than 26% compared to normal conditions.

With PennDOT’s approval for SEPTA to use up to $394 million of its capital assistance funding to support operations, and additional revenue from the fare increase, SEPTA will plan to avoid service cuts for the next two years. This will also allow the Authority to move forward with the implementation of its new bus network and support the major events coming to Philadelphia in 2026.

However, transferring capital funds to cover operating expenses, with no commitment to replace them, is not a sustainable long-term solution to SEPTA’s current budget crisis. Using capital funds for daily operations means these resources are not available to support infrastructure rehabilitation, vehicle replacements and other much-needed projects. SEPTA’s current 12-year Capital Program adopted in June already requires $1.6 billion in infrastructure and vehicle projects to be delayed.

“We are grateful to the Governor and our legislative delegation, and all of our advocates, for their tireless efforts to rally for transit funding,” Sauer said. “We are urging all parties to continue to work towards an agreement on a transit funding plan that preserves the service our customers and region deserve.”

To prepare for the service restoration on Sept. 14, SEPTA will work to ensure all safety sensitive systems, including signal and dispatch systems, are updated with new schedule data. This also provides time to ensure bus operators, maintenance crews, and other personnel can safely transition to new work schedules.

Sauer met with a group of bus and trolley operators, maintenance workers, and other employees at the Callowhill District today to share news of the service restoration and also of the remaining funding challenges. “We solved the immediate need, but we exasperated the future need,” he told them.

Customers should bookmark and follow the below sites and social media accounts for updates on service and other SEPTA news.

·       Customer Service: Customers can always obtain service and other information from SEPTA Customer Service online at https://wwww.septa.org/customer-service/ or by calling 215-580-7800.

·       Website: https://www.septa.org/

·       SEPTA App: https://wwww.septa.org/app/

·       Social Media: @SEPTAPHILLY (Facebook), @SEPTAPHILLY (X / Twitter), @SEPTANews (X / Twitter), @SEPTAPHILLY (Instagram)

Latest SEPTA Information as of 8/30/25:

Update on Service Cuts and Fare Increases

SEPTA would like to alert customers of changes to its plans for fare increases and Regional Rail service cuts that were scheduled to go into effect beginning September 1. Per a ruling from Common Pleas Court on Friday, SEPTA was ordered to halt any further additional service cuts and fare increases that were not already in place as of Friday, August 29.

SEPTA will comply with the Court’s Order, which means that fares and service levels will stay as they were on Friday:

• Fares: The 21.5% fare increase that was scheduled to begin on Monday, September 1, has been put on hold. All fares will remain at current prices until further notice.
• Regional Rail: The 20% service cut scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 2, has been put on hold. Service on Tuesday will follow the schedules that were in effect last week, dated June 15.
• Buses and Metro: The 20% service cut that started on Aug. 24 will remain in place.

On Tuesday, September 2, SEPTA will begin supplementing bus service to schools under an agreement with the City of Philadelphia.

Due to this last-minute change to our service plan, real-time schedules on third-party apps may not be available right away. Please refer to the SEPTA app and website for real-time schedule information, or the PDF schedules dated June 15. We thank our riders for their continued patience as we implement these changes.

SEPTA will continue to provide updates with any new developments.

Phase 1 Service Cuts: Starting August 24

New state funding has not yet been approved, and SEPTA must budget with the funds we have available. Therefore, we have no choice but to move forward with Phase 1, which implements 20% service cuts on August 24, August 25 and September 2 and a 21.5% fare increase on September 1. Riders will first see the elimination of 32 bus routes and significant reductions in trips on all rail services (including the end of special services like Sports Express), longer commute times and more crowded conditions onboard.

Phase 1 Key Dates, Fall 2025 Schedule Change

• August 8: Service cuts schedules available via SEPTA.org & SEPTA app.
• August 14: Service cut schedules cannot be reversed; this is the point of no return.
• August 24: Most of the Bus/Metro service cuts go into effect.
• August 25: Remaining Bus/Metro service cuts go into effect.
• September 1: Fare increase goes into effect. On hold as of 8/30/25.
• September 2: Regional Rail service cuts go into effect. On hold as of 8/30/25.

SEPTA riders are now able to use SEPTA.org and the SEPTA app to view the service cuts schedules in the trip planner and on schedule pages. To view the schedules, enter a date after the cuts go into effect (8/24 & 8/25 for Bus/Metro, 9/2 for Regional Rail) and ensure that you have downloaded the latest version of the SEPTA app (3.2.6). The Fall Service Cuts and Fare Increase bulletins provide step-by-step instructions to use SEPTA.org and app(s) to plan ahead for service reductions and eliminations.

For more information, visit Septa.org.

SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer held a press conference on Friday, August 22nd to brief riders and the public on service and safety preparations ahead of Bus, Subway and Trolley service cuts that go into effect on Sunday and Monday, August 24 & 25. Regional Rail service reductions begin on September 2.

SEPTA staff continue to be focused on putting in place the most service possible with the resources we have and ensuring customers have the resources they need to prepare and plan their travel. In building this plan, SEPTA tried to remove as many pain points as possible. Many bus routes being eliminated have services nearby – although more walking and transfers may be necessary.

Visit SEPTA’s website – https://www.septa.org/ – to review the service information and access trip planning tools.

The Service Cuts page – https://wwww.septa.org/fundingcrisis/service-cuts/ – includes specific detail on the service impacts and links to route specific information.

SEPTA’s Rider Guide – https://wwww.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/post/communication/August-2025-SEPTA-Service-Cuts-Rider-Guide.pdf – provides information for customers on how to use the various travel tools.

For parents, families and caregivers with school-aged children, should consult the School & University guide – https://wwww.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SEPTA-FundingCrisis_SchoolImpacts.pdf – that includes school specific impacts and service options.

Bus, Metro and Regional Rail Reduced Service Schedules –

Reduced Bus & Metro Schedules (August 24 & 25): https://wwww.septa.org/news/bus-metro-fall-schedules/

Reduced Regional Rail Schedules (September 2: https://wwww.septa.org/news/regional-rail-fall-schedules/

Fare Information –

Fare increases beginning on September 1 will raise fares by an average of 21.5% across all modes and fare products. Full details on the fare increase are available at https://wwww.septa.org/fundingcrisis/fare-increases/. Riders who advance purchase monthly passes have already begun to see the fare increase at the time of purchase.

Additional Resources – Customers should follow bookmark and follow the below sites and social media accounts for updates on service and other SEPTA news.

Customer Service: Customers can always obtain service and other information from SEPTA Customer Service online at https://wwww.septa.org/customer-service/ or by calling 215-580-7800.

·       SEPTA’s website: https://www.septa.org/ and https://wwww.septa.org/fundingcrisis/

·       SEPTA App: https://wwww.septa.org/app/

SEPTA has created a SEPTA Service Cuts Rider Guide you can download to help you plan for service cuts beginning on Sunday, August 24th.

For your convenience, you can download the SEPTA Service Cuts Rider Guide here: https://wwww.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/post/communication/August-2025-SEPTA-Service-Cuts-Rider-Guide.pdf

Bus & Metro schedule changes here: septa.org/news/bus-metro-fall-schedules/

Regional Rail schedule changes here: septa.org/news/regional-rail-fall-schedules/

In addition to the new timetables, SEPTA encourages customers to use the online Trip Planner to look for possible alternative routes.

You can also download the SEPTA app on your phone to plan ahead.

Information on the service reduction plan and route specific details are available on SEPTA’s website at: https://wwww.septa.org/fundingcrisis/service-cuts/

Starting Sunday, August 24, 2025, SEPTA will be making service cuts and schedule changes. If your usual route is affected, you can use the Share-A-Ride trip planner to explore your options, including carpools, vanpools, and updated transit routes.

To get the best results, please make sure your Share-A-Ride account profile is up to date.

Reminder: SEPTA fares will increase on September 1.

For more information on the bus route and schedule changes, please go to: septa.org/fundingcrisis/service-cuts/

For fare information, go to: septa.org/fundingcrisis/fare-increases/

For questions about the Share-A-Ride program, contact Lauren Amway Fink at Lfink@dctma.org.

Visit our website to access all of your commuting alternatives, including telework, Share-A-Ride, riding public transit, compressed work week schedules, and more.

New state funding has not yet been approved, and SEPTA must budget with the funds we have available. Therefore, we have no choice but to move forward with Phase 1, which implements 20% service cuts on August 24, August 25 and September 2 and a 21.5% fare increase on September 1. Riders will first see the elimination of 32 bus routes and significant reductions in trips on all rail services (including the end of special services like Sports Express), longer commute times and more crowded conditions onboard.

Phase 1 Service Cuts: Starting August 24

Visit SEPTA’s website here for full timeline and outline of service cuts.

New State Funding Needs to be Secured by Aug. 14 to Avoid Massive Service Cuts; Schedules Reflecting 20% Reductions Effective Aug. 24 Now Available on SEPTA.org

PHILADELPHIA (August 6, 2025) – New state transit funding must be secured by Aug. 14 in order for SEPTA to avoid implementation of a 20% service cut to close a recurring budget deficit. Otherwise, SEPTA must advance efforts to ensure staff, equipment and materials for customers are ready for reduced schedules starting on Aug. 24.

SEPTA has released schedules reflecting the service cuts and is urging customers to review all of their travel options. Overall, there would be a 20% cut to all services, including the elimination of 32 bus routes and significant reductions in trips on rail modes, and an end to all special service including the Sports Express.

The implementation deadline must be set for SEPTA to have time to complete a series of critical pre-schedule change tasks. This includes finalizing work schedules for thousands of frontline workers and other staff, and ensuring equipment is in place and ready for service. Time is also needed to prepare data feeds for the SEPTA App, external feeds, digital signage, platform announcements, and bus and train marquees to ensure service information is accurate. These processes typically take a minimum of three weeks to complete for routine schedule changes, but will be compressed to less than 10 days to ensure all facets of SEPTA’s operation are ready for new schedules on Aug. 24.

“Our planning and operations staff have worked hard to compress the timeline for pre-schedule change work, but we cannot push it beyond Aug. 14,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer. “If funding is not secured by then, these painful service cuts will go into effect on Aug. 24.”

The Aug. 24 service cuts would be the first of several steps SEPTA will take this year to fill a $213 million budget deficit, absent a legislative solution. Additional measures will quickly follow, including a 21.5% fare increase on Sept. 1 and a complete hiring freeze later in that month. A second wave of service cuts on Jan. 1 will include the elimination of five Regional Rail Lines, a 9 p.m. curfew on all rail services, and the elimination of 18 additional bus routes to achieve an overall 45% reduction in service. Those are steps needed to balance this year’s budget without new funding. Additional cuts would follow in subsequent years.

“At that point, we will be left with no other choice but to begin dismantling the SEPTA system,” Sauer said. “Tens of thousands of people or more will be left with no viable public transportation options.”

SEPTA has worked to create two sets of schedules for all service modes – one set of schedules based on current service levels and another set reflecting the 20% cuts. The Authority has also put up signs at the 3,000 bus stops across the system that will be eliminated as of Aug. 24, and has met with officials at the School District of Philadelphia, where tens of thousands of students need to find other ways to get to school, which begins the next day on Aug. 25.

“We remain optimistic that a funding agreement can be reached by August 14,” Sauer said. “We will continue working with lawmakers in any way we can to help get this over the finish line.”
Schedules reflecting the service cuts are available here:

Bus & Metro: septa.org/news/bus-metro-fall-schedules/

Regional Rail: septa.org/news/regional-rail-fall-schedules/
In addition to the new timetables, SEPTA encourages customers to use the online Trip Planner to find alternate routes when possible.

For more information about SEPTA, visit septa.org, follow @SEPTA, or download the official SEPTA app.

Without state legislative action on a permanent funding solution, SEPTA is unable to maintain its current service levels. In order to close the structural operating budget deficit, SEPTA is forced to cut nearly half of its service, reducing service levels across the region and eliminating dozens of routes. Initial service cuts will go into effect late August 2025 with additional cuts going into effect January 2026.

How will your route be impacted? Click HERE to visit SEPTA’s website for details.

While we await final state action on critical transit funding—SEPTA staff are currently finalizing two sets of schedules for all service modes: one set of schedules based on current service levels and another set reflecting 20% service cuts.

The Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget approved by the SEPTA Board last month includes systemwide service reductions of 45%, a 21.5% fare increase, and other measures that are needed to balance a $213 million recurring budget deficit without passage of adequate new state funding for public transportation.

SEPTA is grateful for the ongoing efforts of the region’s legislative delegation who are fighting tirelessly to enact the Governor’s transit funding plan that would prevent those drastic measures from taking effect and ensure SEPTA and transit agencies across Pennsylvania have the resources needed to maintain vital service.

While we await final state action on this critical transit funding—the start of SEPTA’s fiscal year on July 1, 2025 set in motion planning and preparations that SEPTA must take to ready operations for the drastic changes that will potentially begin on August 24. Many of these actions have been occurring behind the scenes but in the coming days and weeks—this work will intensify and become more public.

We know you are following this situation closely and we wanted to make sure you are aware of the timeline for this work:

Staff are currently finalizing two sets of schedules for all service modes—one set of schedules based on current service levels and another set reflecting a 20% across the board service cut. Both sets of schedules will be sent for printing.

Week of July 21: Frontline Bus, Metro, and Regional Rail operators across the Authority will pick their shifts for the two different schedules.

Beginning as early as July 23: Staff will start installing signage at bus stops throughout the region notifying customers of discontinued routes and eliminated stops.

Week of August 4: Fall service schedules will be publicly released.

Week of August 4 thru August 24 and beyond: Intense public outreach to customers advising them of specific service changes and how they will impact their ability to travel.

It is important to understand that implementing the reduced service plan and properly notifying the public of these changes takes time. While the new schedules will take effect on August 24—necessary steps are already underway.

As full implementation of service reductions nears—it will be difficult to reverse before the new schedules begin.

Information on the service reduction plan and route specific details are available on SEPTA’s website at https://wwww.septa.org/fundingcrisis/service-cuts/.  Information on service impacts on schools and universities is available at  https://wwww.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SEPTA-FundingCrisis_SchoolImpacts.pdf