SEPTA Board Approves ‘Doomsday” Budget

SEPTA has made drastic cuts months ago and they are now finally making things official. SEPTA officials had a unamimous vote to pass 45% service cuts and a huge jump in fare prices to help cover a $213 million budget shortfall.

Riders will see the differences in prices starting on August 24, where 20% of services will be cut. This will include eliminating 32 bus routes and ending all special services such as express trains after sports game.

The next big change will come in September, where it will be a 22% increase in price. Base fares will go up ot $2.90.

After that change, on Janury 1, riders will see another round of huge cuts. 5 of the regional rail routes will be eliminated, along with 18 more bus routes taken away, and a 9 p.m. curfew on all remaining services. SEPTA hopes it can avoid cutting services from Harrisburg.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman released this statement on the House budget bill:
“Our state is currently facing a $3 billion structural deficit which must be addressed in order to protect Pennsylvania families and taxpayers from future tax increases. Transit systems play an important role in our statewide economy, and their services are vital to many who live and work in certain regions of our commonwealth. However, with the state already investing billions of dollars in mass transit annually, asking for nearly $300 million more this year for transit is difficult to reconcile. As discussions surrounding the state budget continue to progress, a key component of the transit discussion is also addressing the transportation infrastructure needs for roads and bridges throughout Pennsylvania.”