PHILADELPHIA (May 15, 2025) – Public hearings will begin Monday, May 19, on SEPTA’s proposal to cut service by 45% and raise fares 21.5% to fill a $213 million recurring budget deficit that starts with the new fiscal year on July 1. Riders, residents and other members of the public are welcome to attend and encouraged to share their questions and concerns during these sessions, which will be held inside SEPTA Headquarters at 1234 Market Street.
The first of four hearings, which will be held inside SEPTA Headquarters at 1234 Market Street, starts at 11 am on Monday. SEPTA officials will provide a brief overview of the budget proposal and then open the meeting up for public comment.
In addition to the 11 am session, a second Monday hearing will be held at 5 pm. There will also be two sessions on Tuesday, May 20, at 10 am and 4 pm. Participants do not have to pre-register to attend or participate. Those who wish to speak will be taken in their order of arrival.
For those who cannot attend one of the four hearings, comments can be submitted by email at operatingbudget@septa.org, via voicemail by calling (215) 580-7772, or U.S. mail (SEPTA Budgets, 1234 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107). Comments must be submitted by May 28. All feedback will be considered before the SEPTA Board votes on a budget proposal on June 26.
The public hearings come amid critical negotiations in Harrisburg on a statewide transit funding plan introduced in February by Governor Shapiro that would prevent these dire measures from taking effect.
“SEPTA has made significant progress in cutting costs, growing ridership, improving reliability and delivering on safety and security enhancements,” said SEPTA Interim General Manager Scott A. Sauer. But we are still left with a $213 million recurring annual deficit, and that leaves us with no other choice than to propose massive service cuts and fare increase – wholesale changes that would start us on the path of dismantling the system.”
During Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 1, customers would first see the elimination of dozens of bus routes and significant reductions in trips on all rail services with the beginning of the fall schedule season on Aug. 24, 2025. A fare increase averaging 21.5% for all riders would go into effect on Sept. 1, at which time SEPTA would also freeze all hiring. On Jan. 1, service cuts would deepen with the elimination of five Regional Rail lines, more bus routes and the implementation of a 9 pm curfew on all rail services.
For more information on the budget proposal, please go to septa.org/fundingcrisis/.
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