This Sunday, Sept. 14, SEPTA will reverse the 20% service cuts that were imposed in late August, while the 21.5% fare increase will still happen.
The restoration was made possible after Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration approved a one-time transfer of up to $394 million from future capital funds into SEPTA’s operating budget.
State officials framed the move as a temporary fix to comply with a judge’s order to reverse the cuts. But even with service restored, SEPTA leaders say the agency still needs recurring funding to avoid repeating the cycle.
No Germantown routes were eliminated; however, time gaps will bounce back, meaning heavy ridership buses like the 23 and 26 will see a bit of relief, as well, as overcrowding was a cited issue during the two weeks.
The City of Philadelphia also collaborated with SEPTA earlier this month to add school-hour boost trips and restore multiple routes that primarily serve students, including the 23 and 26. These additions will remain in place alongside Sunday’s reset.
For bus and Metro (subway) riders, the agency suggests referring to previously printed schedules dated Aug. 24 or 25.
For a good number of riders, the most considerable relief may come as the return of the Chestnut Hill East (CHE) line, which had been running on limited shuttle services between the base station through Wayne Junction for the past week. Sunday’s restoration will bring back through-service to Center City, and riders will no longer have to worry about transfers at Wayne Junction.
The CHE temporary closure was to make improvements to the bridges and infrastructure of the line and was supposed to be back on Sept. 2.
For schedules of Regional Rail services, the agency asks riders to refer to summer schedules dated June 15 through Sept. 13.
Riders can expect to begin paying more for fares on Sunday, as well.
The base transit will rise to $2.90, no matter the mode of payment. A weekly TransPass will be $31, while a monthly pass will rise to $116. Regional Rail zone fares and Trailpasses will also increase.
While the increase brings a bit of annoyance for some neighbors, they’re happy to have less congestion and more riding options again.
Tyrell Hopkins, who gets the 23 at Germantown & Chelten to get to work, says, “It was a bad jawn, but not having to be on a packed bus or feel like I gotta rush just to make it to work outweighs the cost, I guess.”
Keep up with SEPTA via their website for complete fare prices and route schedules, and other updates.