SEPTA remains committed to safe, reliable transit despite decades of underfunding
It’s no secret that 2025 was one of the most challenging years in SEPTA’s history. Years of underinvestment revealed themselves in operating and capital budget crises, frustrating service delays and federally-mandated inspections of SEPTA’s aging Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars, the oldest still operating anywhere in the United States.
But 2025 also should be remembered for SEPTA’s unflinching dedication to addressing these challenges, time and again, as part of our continuing commitment to provide safe and reliable transit for our region.
Throughout the year, SEPTA stayed focused on delivering improvements riders can feel every day: safer vehicles and stations, cleaner environments, stronger staffing and targeted investments driving reliability systemwide.
The images above showcase two significant accomplishments that highlight our ongoing commitment to improving the SEPTA system. First, the installation of new fare gates represents a major step forward in preventing fare evasion, which improves security and fairness for all riders. Second, the introduction of enhanced wayfinding signage, which was designed to make navigation across the system simpler and more intuitive, benefiting both Philadelphia residents who rely on public transit and visitors who may be using it for the first time. These improvements are just a glimpse of what we’ve achieved this year; there is more to share.
10% drop
In major crimes through Q3 2025, on top of a record reduction in 2024
250 uniformed officers
Largest transit police force in 10+ years
51 months
Of continuous ridership growth through July 2025
43% increase
In bus operator hiring
15 major stations
Enhanced with modern, intuitive signage and maps
$48 M in new revenue
Generated income from advertising, leases, station naming rights
208 full-height fare gates
On track for installation at 14 locations by summer 2026
3 years
Of rising scores on customer cleanliness
223 Silverliner IV railcars
Point-to-point inspections completed in 45 days
$43 M
Awarded for a 100% low-or-no-emissions bus fleet
SEPTA 2025: A Year of Resilience & Progress
Despite the significant challenges SEPTA encountered throughout this year, the obstacles did not prevent us from making meaningful improvements to the system across a wide range of areas. This progress is a direct result of the unwavering commitment of our staff, who continued to deliver excellence even in the face of ongoing difficulties. SEPTA employees’ determination to push forward has enabled the organization to survive adversity, and furthermore, to emerge from 2025 with encouraging advancements that set the stage for an even stronger future.
Safety
Rider Experience
Organizational Health
Momentum is here. Now we need the funding to match it.
SEPTA has demonstrated meaningful progress in safety, reliability, cleanliness, ridership recovery and fiscal discipline — all during one of the most challenging years in its history. With stable, dedicated funding, SEPTA can fully realize its transformation into a modern, best-in-class transit system that strengthens communities, supports the economy and keeps Southeastern Pennsylvania moving.
