Overview
- SEPTA’s board approved moving $394 million into operations to avert further cuts after a court ordered service restored and PennDOT granted emergency permission, which officials said can cover two years.
- The shift postpones major projects including 247 new hybrid buses, ADA upgrades at Bristol Station, the final phase of the Frazer facility expansion, and zero‑emission bus purchases and retrofits.
- The FRA ordered comprehensive checks of Silverliner IV cars after five fires since February; 82 of 223 cars have been inspected, 17 returned to service, and about 150 remain in repair shops ahead of an Oct. 31 deadline that SEPTA has said may require an extension.
- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pressed Gov. Josh Shapiro over SEPTA’s safety and finances, warning unrepaired cars could be pulled from service and noting the agency owes $55 million tied to a failed Chinese railcar purchase.
- SEPTA faces additional risk with its Transit Workers Union contract expiring Nov. 7, and local reports indicate a strike authorization vote is expected soon.