Overview

• SEPTA's proposed budget includes a phased 45% service reduction across buses, subways, and Regional Rail by January 2026 if state funding is not secured.
• A 21.5% fare increase is planned for September 2025, raising the base fare to $2.90 for riders.
• The agency will implement a complete hiring freeze starting in September 2025 and anticipates reducing its workforce by 300 employees through attrition, with possible layoffs in early 2026.
• The financial crisis stems from the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds, inflation, and chronic underfunding, compounded by political disputes over state transit funding.
• Public hearings on the proposed budget are scheduled for May, with a final board vote set for June, as advocates warn of widespread disruptions to riders and regional economic impacts.