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Service Information in the Event of a Strike

Update as of Dec. 5, 2025

SEPTA’s current contracts with TWU Local 234, TWU Local 234 Frontier Transit Division, and SMART Local1594 (Victory District) have expired. If the agency and union leadership fail to come to an agreement on a new contract, it’s possible that the members of that union could choose to strike.

If all three unions choose to strike, no SEPTA Bus (except 310 & LUCY) or Metro Routes will operate.

SEPTA’s Regional Rail service will remain available during a strike. However, riders should expect crowded conditions, skipped stations, delays and cancellations as trains undergo repairs following the completion of federally mandated inspections. Please allow extra time while traveling.

Summary

  • TransPass+ and Zone 1 Passes will be valid for travel between all Regional Rail stations located within the City of Philadelphia, except Forest Hills and Somerton stations.
  • SEPTA.org route pages, the Trip Planner, SEPTA app and third-party tools may not have accurate schedule information or real-time data for suspended or modified routes during a strike. Riders should pay attention to all alerts, suspensions and detours posted on these tools. Schedules for adjusted routes will be available in PDF format on SEPTA.org.
  • SEPTA Access and Paratransit operates as normal for registered ADA and Shared Ride Program customers. There may be some delays due to increased demand and street traffic. Shared Ride Program customers can only book next day trips, space permitting.
  • In the event of a strike, B and L line trains may continue to run – without carrying passengers – in order to prevent rust and verify electrical safety.

Need help?

SEPTA Customer Service (215-580-7800) will operate with extended hours in the event of a strike.

Fare inquiries should be directed to the SEPTA Key Contact Center (855-567-3782) or [email protected].

SEPTA Ambassadors, including employees from all departments, will be posted at Regional Rail stations to help riders navigate the system and get to their destinations.

Travel Options During a Strike

  Operating, Normal Service Modified Service Schedule Not Operating
Bus LUCY Gold, LUCY Green 310 Direct Bus, 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, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 73, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 88, 89, 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, K, 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
Metro    

[D] Media/Sharon Hill Line (101/102)
[M] Norristown High Speed Line

[L] Market-Frankford Line
[B] Broad Street Line
[T] Subway-Surface Trolleys
[G] Route 15
Regional Rail Airport Line, Cynwyd Line, Trenton Line, Warminster Line 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  
  • 310: Weekday service will begin/end at Willow Grove Station and operate every 60 minutes all day.

SEPTA Union Details

  • Transport Workers Union (TWU) oversees the operation of a portion of buses, plus the [L] and [B] Metro lines and [G] and [T] trolleys.
  • Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Workers (SMART) 1594 oversees the operation of a different portion of buses, plus the [D] and [M] Metro lines.

Regional Rail Schedules & Other Information

Fare Information

Contactless payment is accepted on Regional Rail trains; riders can also use Travel Wallet funds or a valid pass loaded to their Key card.

Per-trip costs are based on Zone/Distance. 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.

TransPass+ and Zone 1 Passes will be valid for travel between all Regional Rail stations located within the City of Philadelphia, except Forest Hills and Somerton stations.

Zone 1/Center City Philadelphia$5.00
Zone 2$6.50
Zone 3$7.75
Zone 4$8.75
New Jersey$11.00
  • Contactless payment is not available to/from New Jersey.
  • No onboard ticket sales are available during a strike.

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; see the table above.

Train Boarding

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

  • AM hour (6 am – 10 am) riders traveling from outlying stations towards Center City must have valid contactless payment, funds loaded to the Travel Wallet of their Key cards or a valid Pass. Regional Rail requires you to tap at the station you board and the station you exit.
  • 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 contactless payment, 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.