SEPTA's full service to resume on September 14, if state grants agency's plea to tap into maintenance finances for restoration
SEPTA's Fare Hike and Service Restoration Plan
In a series of developments, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has announced plans for a fare increase and service restoration, subject to state approval.
Starting September 14, SEPTA is scheduled to raise fares from $2.50 to $2.90 for metro and bus services. This move, according to SEPTA officials, will bring in an additional $31 million in revenue per year. However, the decision to use capital funds for operating expenses, which was made by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), has been met with controversy.
Initially, Governor Josh Shapiro opposed the idea of using capital assistance funding for SEPTA's operations. However, as negotiations dragged on and cuts went into effect, Shapiro later expressed that he was open to the idea.
The service cuts, which went into effect late last month, have had a significant impact on SEPTA's operations. Bus trips running late increased by 26%, and unfortunately, SEPTA drivers left over 4,000 people behind at bus and trolley stops due to overcrowding in the first five days after the cuts went into effect.
In response, SEPTA plans to restore all cut bus routes on September 14, subject to state approval. Some bus routes were already restored on September 2 under an agreement with the city of Philadelphia. However, frequency reductions across the Market-Frankford Line, the Broad Street Line, and trolleys are still in effect, but will likely be reversed on September 14.
A planned 20% service reduction to Regional Rail has not yet gone into effect and seems to be delayed indefinitely. The 9 p.m. curfew and elimination of certain Regional Rail lines, such as Wilmington/Newark, Trenton, Paoli/Thorndale, Chestnut Hill West, and Cynwyd, are currently restrained by a court order.
SEPTA is appealing a Philadelphia judge's order to reverse the service cuts that went into effect late last month. Regardless of whether SEPTA wins its appeal, if the state approves the use of capital funds, the transit agency will not revisit any service cuts for the next two fiscal years.
However, SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer has stated that this move is a temporary solution, not a long-term one. He emphasised that using capital dollars to fund SEPTA's immediate operations is not a sustainable long-term solution, as it takes funding away from infrastructure rehabilitation and vehicle replacements.
The plan to use capital dollars to fund SEPTA's operations was first endorsed by Republican state lawmakers. The court order restrains SEPTA from implementing all cuts, including curfews, station closures, reduction or elimination of ParaTransit routes, and Regional Rail eliminations.
The court ruling on September 1 allowed SEPTA to proceed with the fare hike, which includes Regional Rail and SEPTA Access. SEPTA also plans to implement a more than 20% fare hike on September 14, if the state approves its request.
As these developments unfold, SEPTA continues to navigate the challenges of maintaining its services while seeking sustainable solutions for its financial future.
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