Overview

• Philadelphia Judge Sierra Thomas-Street issued a temporary injunction Friday directing SEPTA to maintain current service levels.
• The order halts a 21.5% fare increase set for Monday and new Regional Rail reductions slated for Tuesday, plus curfews, station closures and special service eliminations.
• Reductions already implemented on buses, trolleys and subways remain in effect, and the ruling does not automatically restore prior cuts.
• A follow-up hearing is scheduled for Thursday, when the court may consider making the order permanent and potentially ordering restoration; SEPTA says schedule changes take about 10 days and cites Sept. 14 as the earliest feasible reversal date.
• SEPTA points to a $213 million operating gap and guarded use of a roughly $300 million stabilization fund, while plaintiffs argue the cuts unlawfully burden low-income riders and that reserves should be tapped.