SEPTA Strike Guide 2024: What to know if workers hit the picket line

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Thousands of union SEPTA workers will remain on the job as negotiations continue with the transit agency.

The contract expired at midnight Thursday, but Transit Workers Union Local 234 leaders said progress was being made and members will keep working for now.

Bargaining will continue on Sunday, as the union looks for a raise and more security measures on the job.

LATEST: SEPTA union workers to remain on job as negotiations continue; no strike expected Friday

But union leaders vowed to hit the picket lines if demands are not met.

"After months of bargaining we finally began to make some progress over the past couple days, but we simply ran out of time. We're willing to go the extra mile and grant additional time to reach a fair agreement," said TWU Local 234 President Brian Pollitt. "However, let me be clear if SEPTA's managers fail to meet our demands, we will be on the picket line."

Union leadership said their first proposal to SEPTA was a one-year contract with a 10% wage increase, but SEPTA countered with a $1,000 bonus if members made concessions to their healthcare.

The union said they rejected the offer. SEPTA would not discuss specifics, saying the talks are in flux.

SEPTA says it is committed to engaging in good-faith negotiations, with the goal of reaching an agreement that is fair to our hard-working employees and to the customers and taxpayers who fund SEPTA.

The union says it is seeking "fairness on economic issues and desperately needed improvements on safety and security for both passengers and transit workers."

If the union does call a strike, it would shut down all bus, trolley, and subway/EL services within the city. While it's not yet known whether this strike will happen, commuters should be prepared in case.

In the suburbs, SMART Local 1594, which represents 350 transit operators outside of the city, also voted to authorize a strike Friday.

Their contract expires on November 18. Members say safety is their biggest issue.

Action News and 6abc.com will have constant updates and breaking news alerts if SEPTA workers go on strike.

Here is a full list of services that would be impacted if workers hit the picket line:

BUS SERVICE

Operating, Normal Service Schedule

• 90, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98, 99, 104, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 117, 118, 119, 120, 123, 126, 127, 128, 131, 132, 135, 139, 150, 201, 204, 206, LUCY Gold, LUCY Green

Not Operating, No Service

• DirectBus, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 73, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84, 88, 89, G, H, J, K, L, R, XH, 406, 409, 411, 415, 426, 428, 433, 438, 439, 441, 442, 445, 446, 447, 448, 450, 452, 461, 462, 475, 476, 477, 478, 484, 490, 492, 495

Modified Service Schedule

• 94, 97, 103, 105, 106, 108, 115, 124, 125, 129, 130, 133, 310, 311

Bus routes that will be detoured:

• 94 & 97: No service to Chestnut Hill. Trips that normally serve Chestnut Hill use Northwestern and Stenton aves.

• 103: No service to Overbrook Park. Buses use Victory Avenue, West Chester Pike, Lynn Blvd. and Township Line Road instead of regular routing.

• 105: No service to Overbrook Park or 63rd-Malvern/Overbrook. Buses use Victory Ave., West Chester Pike, Lynn Blvd. and Township Line Road instead of regular routing.

• 106: No service to Overbrook Park. Buses use Victory Ave., West Chester Pike, Lynn Blvd. and Township Line Road instead of regular routing.

• 108: No service to Paschall, Elmwood and Eastwick. Trips to Airport Business Center, Philadelphia International Airport and UPS will be rerouted via Darby Transit Center.

• 115: No service between Philadelphia International Airport and Folcroft East Industrial Park.

• 124 & 125: No service to Wissahickon Transit Center, William H. Gray III 30th Street Station or Center City. Service will begin/end at Villanova Station (Paoli/Thorndale Line) or Gulph Mills.

• 129, 130 & 133: No service to Frankford-Knights. Trips will begin/end at Cornwells Heights Station. Transfer to the Trenton Line for continuing service.

• 310 & 311: Weekday service will begin/end at Willow Grove Station and operate every 60 minutes all day.

CCT Connect

• CCT Connect operates regular service for registered ADA and Shared Ride customers. There may be some delays due to increased demand and street traffic.

METRO SERVICE

Operating, Normal Service Schedule

• Media/Sharon Hill Line (D)

• Norristown High Speed Line (M)

Not Operating, No Service

• Market-Frankford Line (L)

• Broad Street Line (B)

• Subway Surface Trolleys (T)

• Route 15 (G)

REGIONAL RAIL SERVICE

• Regional Rail trains operate according to current published schedule times. Express trains may make extra stops to accommodate increased ridership.

Operating, Normal Service Schedule

• Airport Line

• Cynwyd Line

• Trenton Line

• Warminster Line

Modified Service Schedule

• Chestnut Hill East Line

• Chestnut Hill West Line

• Lansdale/Doylestown Line

• Fox Chase Line

• Manayunk/ Norristown Line

• Paoli/Thorndale Line

• Media/Wawa Line

• West Trenton Line

• Wilmington/ Newark Line

FARE AND REFUND INFORMATION

Regional Rail Fares

• Contactless payment is not accepted on Regional Rail trains; riders should have Travel Wallet funds or a valid pass loaded to their Key card.

• Per trip costs are based on Zone/Distance and will be charged to your Key card account balance. Unlike tapping once for travel on Bus and Metro, Regional Rail requires you to tap at the station you board and the station you exit.

• Calendar TransPass+ or Zone 1 Passes will be valid at all Regional Rail stations located within the city of Philadelphia (except Forest Hills and Somerton stations, which require a Zone 3 Quick Trip or Key card with Zone 3 pass or Travel Wallet funds).

• Children under age 12 ride free with a fare paying adult. Senior citizens (65 or older) ride free with a SEPTA Senior Fare card. Riders with disabilities are eligible for half fare with a Reduced Fare card.

Quick Trips

• Valid on the day purchased for one-way travel on Regional Rail trains (purchased from Fare Kiosks or Sales Offices). Prices vary by zone.

Transit Pass Redemption

• Unused TransPass+ passes, purchased before a service interruption, will be eligible for a full or partial refund.

• Riders may contact the SEPTA Key Call Center at 855-567-3782 (Monday - Friday 6 am - 8 pm, Saturday - Sunday 8 am-6 pm) to request a refund for any unused passes.

Train Boarding

• Unless otherwise directed by SEPTA staff, fares will be collected for each trip.

• AM hour riders traveling from outlying stations towards Center City must have funds loaded to the Travel Wallet of their Key cards or hold a valid Pass.

• Riders arriving at Center City Stations without a fare will be required to purchase an Exit Quick Trip ticket from the station Exit Kiosk.

• Key card load options include SEPTAKEY.org, phone 855-567-3782, Station Fare Kiosks, Sales Offices and participating retailers.

• PM hour riders (2:45 pm - 7 pm) at Penn Medicine, William H. Gray III 30th Street, Suburban, Jefferson and Temple University stations will present a loaded Key card or valid pass at the turnstile reader. Cash will not be accepted at the point of entry. Riders with cash must purchase a Quick Trip from the Station Kiosk or Sales Office.

• Riders will wait in designated lines at the concourse/mezzanine level to board trains - look for signage and SEPTA staff to help find your waiting area. To ensure safe boarding and avoid confusion, SEPTA staff will direct riders when to proceed to the platform. Please expect crowding and possible delays.

PARKING

• Parking is available at most SEPTA Regional Rail stations.

• Surface lots $2.00

• Garages $4.00

SCHOOL DISTRICT'S STRIKE PLAN

The School District of Philadelphia has released the following list of considerations in the event of a strike:

• The District is closely monitoring staffing levels and will deploy Central Office staffing support, as needed.

• In cases where student or staff attendance is dramatically affected by the strike, the District may recommend that a school move to virtual instruction.

• In such a case, District and school leadership will ensure that all students, including and especially those with special needs, are equipped with the digital and physical materials they need to participate in virtual learning. Teachers will not deliver in-person and virtual instruction at the same time.

• Students who are late or absent due to SEPTA-related travel challenges will not be marked late, or will be excused upon receipt of a note from the parent or guardian.

• Staff late arrivals due to SEPTA-related travel challenges will be recorded as excused.

• The District is committed to maintaining vital support for students and families such as technology services, safety and more.