Chelten Station entrance to the Chestnut Hill West Line, set for elimination by January 2026. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)
Last Thursday, April 10, SEPTA held a press conference to announce its final plans for a 45% service cut, 21.5% fare increase, and workforce reduction to help fill a forecasted $213 million deficit.
The last announcement came in November 2024, when SEPTA revealed it struggled with a $240 million budget gap, previewing the possibility of what is now reality.
The transit agency attributes the deficit to the “end of federal COVID relief funds and increases in the day-to-day costs of providing service to customers.” They also say crime & disorder, and inflation of essentials like fuel and power contribute.
Beginning in August through January 2026, riders will see:
- 50 bus routes eliminated
- Five regional rail lines eliminated
- 20% service reduction to all remaining routes
- 66 station closures
- Elimination of special services like sports and concerts (including accommodations for special city events like the Philadelphia 250 celebration)
- 9 p.m. curfew for all Metro and Regional Rail lines
Starting in September, the base fare will increase from $2.50 to $2.90, and the weekly Transpass from $25.50 to $31, a monthly TransPass from $96 to $116, and a ParaTransit Ride from $4.25 to $5.75.
In Germantown, riders can expect the following changes starting in August:
- Reductions in service to the 18, 23, 26, 53, 71 (H), 81 (XH), and the K buses.
- Reduction of service on the Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West regional rail lines
Effective in January 2026, riders will see the elimination of the Chestnut Hill West Line, which Northwest residents and neighbors have long fought for since the COVID-19 pandemic.
But what about the different route changes and service mergers, like the 26 and K buses, presented for imminent implementation?
According to Director of City Service Planning Daniel Nemiroff at a Northwest Germantown Neighbors (NWGN) meeting last Thursday, “all routing changes that were tied to the redesign project have been suspended indefinitely.”
“Where we are now is not that,” he said. “Where we are now is service cuts.”
The Germantown Info Hub contacted representatives of the Save The Train coalition, who have been trying to save the CHW line from elimination since the pandemic, to ask their thoughts on the matter.
Suzanne Ponsen, who also represents West Central Germantown Neighbors, expresses general disappointment despite their best efforts, but says, “We always knew that the cuts would be across the board on every rail, bus, subway, and trolley routes.”
Bob Previdi, Policy Director for Save The Train, talked about this being a moment for Philadelphia residents to also reflect on how they want Philadelphia to function as a city moving forward. “We’re a car town, and I keep telling folks it’s not just the budget that we have to cry for, but our own habits,” Previdi emphasizes.
“Do we want to be a city where you can walk in our communities, get onto a bus and a train, and get to go to another community, or do we not? Do we really want to be flipping the bird and honking horns at each other? Or do we want to bump into somebody by accident and offer an ‘excuse me’?”
In that same NWGN meeting, newly-elected state Rep. Andre Carroll commented on the recent announcement, telling constituents that “we need our Republican-led Senate to pass the funding bill so that we can get money allocated to SEPTA.”
“When I think about who I’m advocating for, I think about an individual or family — their mom or dad — who is working to provide food,” he stated. “Now, we’re taking away the opportunity [and] creating a barrier for them to travel to and from work.”
State Rep. Carroll says that Gov. Josh Shapiro has been doing what he can to advocate for this, including the flexing of mass transit funds last year.
Shapiro called the cuts “completely avoidable” based on the Assembly passing his proposal three times, which he believes they will do once again next month. He says that will again put the ball in the Senate’s court.
State Rep. Darisha Parker, also in attendance at the NWGN meeting, urged neighbors to pressure their Republican elected officials and reminded folks that this financial crisis is not just being felt in Philadelphia, but also in other parts of the state, including Pittsburgh, another metropolitan city in a predominantly rural Pennsylvania.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it… We don’t have the money,” she said.
SEPTA acknowledges how the drastic change in service will not only impact Philadelphia, but Southeastern Pa. as a whole, producing:
- $19.9 billion loss in household property values
- 76,700 potential jobs lost, with $6 billion in potential earnings lost
- $11.4 billion loss in tax revenue collections
- $674 million annual tax revenue loss to the region and Pa. as a whole
SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence says the agency is grateful for the support and efforts of legislators. He says that, now, it’s crucial that the public is louder than ever about how this will affect them.
“Even if you don’t ride, deep service cuts would impact you – whether it is from increased congestion on area roadways, declining property values or less revenue for local businesses as SEPTA purchases significantly fewer supplies and materials,” he said.
Public feedback will be accepted before operating and budget proposals are sent to the SEPTA board on June 26. All feedback will be viewed and considered.
Riders and residents can give comment on the proposed 2026 operating budget at SEPTA’s headquarters at 1234 Market Street on May 19, at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., and again on May 20, at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The Capital Budget hearings will be held on May 21 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Right now, Save The Train rep Previdi says these meetings are a top priority in their organizing, so if folks are looking for ways to support, making sure you voice your concerns is essential to the cause.
Public comments can be submitted by emailing operatingbudget@septa.org and capbudget@septa.org, leaving a voicemail by calling (215) 580-7772 for Operating Budget and (215) 580-7771 for Capital Budget, or U.S. mail at SEPTA Budgets, 1234 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
All comments must be submitted by May 28.
The Germantown Info Hub also reached out to SEPTA by phone and email to ask about how the Germantown Station Area Concept Plan would be affected by the budget crisis, and has not yet received a response. If they do, we will be sure to update neighbors.