SEPTA approved its “doomsday budget.” Here are four ways you can support public transit in Philly.

SEPTA’s board voted to adopt a budget for Fiscal Year 2026 that will result in service cuts, higher fares, and curfews.

ICYMI: SEPTA is in a budget deficit, as Green Philly recently explained. 

On June 26, SEPTA’s board voted to approve an operating budget with a $213 million shortage. A transit bill which approves nearly $300 million for mass transit across the commonwealth recently passed through the State House and now waits in the Senate. 

Concurrently, Governor Shapiro’s office announced that “the Commonwealth is currently sitting on a nearly $11 billion surplus” at the end of Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

According to SEPTA’s latest statement, here is the timeline for what happens next:

August 24: Elimination of 32 bus routes and significant reductions in trips on all rail services, including the end of Sports Express lines.

September 1: 21.5% fare increases, making the base fare for Bus and Metro trips $2.90.

January 1: Elimination of more bus routes, five Regional Rail lines, and the implementation of a 9 p.m. curfew on all remaining rail services.

Here are FOUR ways to advocate for public transit.

Despite the passage of the budget, mass transit advocates continue to call for public action. Here are FOUR ways to get involved: 

1. Canvass at local stations. Transit Forward Philadelphia, a coalition of Philadelphia-based organizations formed to improve public transit in the Greater Philadelphia region, is canvassing at regional rail stations in July, including on July 9, 16 and 23. Volunteer time slots to RSVP are open on the website; materials will be provided.
2. Write to state legislators. The state budget not only impacts the counties that SEPTA serves, but all of the 67 Pennsylvania counties where public transit operates. The Transit for All PA campaign is a statewide grassroots movement to secure funding for mass transit throughout the commonwealth. Transit for All PA also makes it easy to email state representatives.
3. Contact your local Registered Community Organization. Registered Community Organizations, or RCOs, are hyperlocal civic organizations led by the neighborhood to advocate for the specific needs of a given community. Any local community members who may be impacted by service cuts and curfews, including business owners, late-night hospital workers, people who live in densely populated areas, etc., can check in with their RCOs to learn how they plan to address SEPTA’s new budget plan.
4. Go in person to your legislator’s office. Find out who your legislators are and where their offices are located here. Read Transit for All PA’s guide for tips on speaking to representatives.

Cover photo: Claudia Salvato Photography

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