PHILADELPHIA (September 22, 2026) – SEPTA today announced Accelerate – the Authority’s vision for safe, reliable and accessible service.
With help from its partners, SEPTA can deliver modern stations, state-of-the-art vehicles and best-in-class transit service for the 800,000 daily riders who keep the region moving.
“After years of chronic underfunding, the moment to choose acceleration over managed decline is now,” said SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. “We recognize that if greater investment is the key to our future success, then SEPTA must demonstrate that we are worthy investment partners. We are proud to be one of the most efficient transit systems in the country, and while there remains more work to do, the evidence demonstrates that we are good stewards of the public funding we receive.”
SEPTA is planning a sustained set of investments over the next decade, including:
- Trolley Modernization: Modernizing one of the nation’s most extensive streetcar networks through accessible stations and the purchase of 130 new low-floor trolleys
- Modern Metro: Purchasing 200 new subway cars for the
[Market-Frankford Line], which are set to start arriving in 2029, with new vehicles for the 
[Broad Street Line] and 
[Norristown High Speed Line] to follow in the years ahead - Reimagining Regional Rail: Launching the formal bid process for the acquisition of 230 new Silverliner VI Regional Rail cars that will provide 15-minute or better service at nearly half of the approximately 150 stations
- New Bus Network: Investing in new transit centers for bus riders and increasing the number of frequent bus routes from 8 to 29
“Imagine a world where SEPTA is a reason to move here, work here, and locate or expand a business here,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer. “Our region deserves and demands a transit system that works better for more people. From planning their trip to the moment they reach their destination, every part of the journey will be safer, more reliable, and fully accessible. We are already at work to bring this vision to reality.”
“If we want to grow our economy and create good jobs, we need a transit system that gets people where they need to go,” said Ryan N. Boyer, Business Manager of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council. “Accelerate is about modernizing SEPTA, investing in working people, and building a stronger future for our region. This is the kind of investment we need to make sure people have access to the jobs and economic growth they deserve.”
“Every day, SEPTA carries people to the care they need and brings nearly 8,000 of Penn Medicine employees to the hospitals and clinics where they provide it,” said Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO, University of Pennsylvania Health System. “A strong, reliable public transportation system is essential to a healthy, thriving community. SEPTA’s Accelerate plan invests in access, opportunity, and the long-term vitality of southeastern Pennsylvania, and our region will be better for it.”
“At Jefferson Health, we’re committed to being the most accessible health system in the country — and we can’t do that without a transit system that’s equally accessible,” said Dr. Joseph Cacchione, CEO, Jefferson. “Thousands of our colleagues ride SEPTA to work each day, and countless patients ride SEPTA to get the care they depend on. Transportation should never be the reason someone misses an appointment. Accelerate isn’t just about a better commute, it’s about better health for our region.”
“Our transit system is one of our region’s greatest assets,” said Chellie Cameron, President & CEO, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. “Accelerate is a vision for what’s possible when we invest in a reliable, modern system that connects people to jobs, businesses to talent, and communities across Greater Philadelphia to opportunity. As we work to make our region a top global destination for business and a leader in inclusive growth, this kind of forward-looking investment is essential.”
“A thriving city and a strong public transit system are intrinsically linked, and the Accelerate plan will help modernize and enhance SEPTA’s stations, vehicles and overall transit service,” said John Fry, Temple University President. “It is not only a vision; it is a path forward that will allow SEPTA to better serve its thousands of daily riders. SEPTA is the medium that brings so many of Temple’s students, faculty, staff and neighbors to and from campus. It directly contributes to the vibrancy of our university community, and we’re thrilled knowing that SEPTA will only grow stronger in the years to come as Accelerate is implemented.”
When combined, Accelerate’s program of improvements means:
- Over two million people within a quarter mile of frequent transit (up from 900,000 today)
- Nearly half of the region’s jobs within a quarter mile of frequent transit (up from 1 in 4 today)
- 100% of all trips go through an accessible station (up from about 60% today)
“From the beginning of our FIFA World Cup bid effort in 2017, we knew SEPTA would be an essential partner, and this summer it delivered for Philadelphia on the global stage,” said Meg Kane, CEO/Host City Executive, Philadelphia Soccer 2026. “More than 155,000 fans rode the B Line home after our six matches, while SEPTA kept residents moving to work, to the FIFA Fan Festival, and everywhere in between. Major events in the City of Philadelphia are never meant to be just a moment in time; they’re meant to be an accelerator for growth. Accelerate is how our region builds on the success of this summer, and it will make our region ready for whatever the world brings us next.”
“Coming off an incredibly strong summer for visitation, when transit was vital to our success, we’re excited about SEPTA’s Accelerate vision plan and what it means for Philadelphia,” said Angela Val, President & CEO, Visit Philadelphia. “A strong public transportation system is essential for moving people throughout our region, whether they’re visiting, heading to work or exploring the city. That includes the thousands of hospitality workers who help make Philadelphia a great place to visit. Growing Philadelphia as a destination means giving people reasons to come and making it easy for them to experience more of our neighborhoods, attractions and local businesses once they’re here.”
“A world-class region requires a world-class transit system,” said Jerry Sweeney, President, CEO & Trustee, Brandywine Realty Trust. “SEPTA is critical to the future of Greater Philadelphia, connecting people to opportunity and driving economic growth. Projects like Schuylkill Yards demonstrate the power of transit to attract investment, talent, and innovation. We applaud SEPTA’s bold vision and continued commitment to strengthening our region’s competitiveness and quality of life.”
“As an essential driver of our local economy, SEPTA moves the entire southeastern region,” said Laura Manion, President & CEO, Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry. “Accelerate details a bold path forward to boost workforce access, promote job creation, and fuel regional growth. For Chester County employers, commuters, and residents, initiatives like Reimagining Regional Rail offer an exciting blueprint for the future. The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry will continue to advocate strongly for the sustained funding needed to keep SEPTA – and public transit systems statewide – reliable, robust, and viable for years to come.”
Read SEPTA’s full Accelerate vision document.
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