SEPTA plans to move ahead with service cuts as funding gridlock continues in Harrisburg
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- As hope fades that the Pennsylvania Legislature will approve SEPTA funding in the near future, the transit agency said Wednesday it is preparing to move forward with massive cuts to service.
SEPTA has said it cannot keep waiting for more aid and must start making cuts in the coming days, which it says will be more drastic than any undertaken by a major transit agency in the United States.
SEPTA has said that if funding is not secured by Thursday, it will begin a 10-day preparation period for 20% across-the-board service cuts.
LINK: Proposed bus and metro schedule changes
LINK: Proposed Regional Rail changes
Those take effect Aug. 24 and include eliminating bus routes with lower ridership and reducing the frequency of bus, trolley and rail services across the region.
The Republican-controlled state Senate voted Tuesday night to amend a House bill that would fund SEPTA by raising fares and tapping into money that's currently in the public transportation trust fund. The plan faced strong opposition from Senate Democrats.
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Senate Republicans say their amended bill is essentially a two-year bridge, then lawmakers on both sides could find more permanent and consistent revenue streams like taxes on games of skill or even possibly legalized marijuana.
The bill went back to the House but, as expected, it was voted down.
Republicans said the changes are the best that Democrats will get from them.
"We offer a solution that is two years of funding, more accountability and safer a network while adding additional funding to road improvement projects throughout this commonwealth," said Sen. Frank Farry (R - Bucks County).
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SEPTA's general manager, Scott Sauer, said there might be a hurdle with that option because he says that funding is set aside for repairs, upgrades and maintenance on tracks and vehicles.
Sauer spoke with Action News in Harrisburg Tuesday and said that dipping into that trust fund could lead to more cuts due to safety issues.
"This is going to take some discussion back home," said Scott Sauer, SEPTA general manager. "Our board is going to certainly have to weigh in. We would have some tough choices if this amendment went through as is."
Republican lawmakers argue the funding can still be used to help keep SEPTA afloat.
Democrats argue that the plan is not sustainable.
"So you get two years of additional state support and the translation to that on the other side is you get mandated fare increases in perpetuity. Forever. That's not serious," said Sen Vincent Hughes (D).
SEPTA services would be reduced while fares would go up
The cuts cuts would come in phases between Aug. 24 and Jan. 1, 2026.
SEPTA said after that, it will be unable to provide enhanced service for major tourist events next year. Those include FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia, events surrounding the celebration of the nation's 250th birthday, Major League Baseball's all-star game, the PGA Championship and NCAA March Madness games.
The Aug. 24 service cuts would be followed by a 21.5% fare hike on Sept. 1. A weekday ride would rise from $2.50 to $2.90 on a bus, train or trolley, it said.
Soon after, the agency would impose a hiring freeze and carry out additional service cuts by Jan. 1 that will mean it will have eliminated half its current services, it has said.
That will include cutting more regional rail and bus routes and imposing a 9 p.m. curfew on rail services, some of which go as late as 1:30 a.m. currently.
There will also be an end to all special services, including the sports express, right before the Eagles host the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field to kick off the season.
School District of Philadelphia students are also being urged to find other ways to get to school, as the new school year begins the day after cuts are scheduled to go into effect.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
