SEPTA is set to propose a significant fare increase of approximately 21.5% across all modes of transport starting January 1, 2025, alongside severe service cuts planned for July 2025, driven by a $240 million budget deficit. The fare hike is the first since 2017 and comes amid stalled funding negotiations with state lawmakers, who blocked a proposed plan to increase state aid for public transit. The Transport Workers Union Local 234, which represents over 5,000 employees, is in ongoing contract negotiations, having authorized a strike earlier this month, and is advocating for better wages and increased security for frontline workers. SEPTA's management anticipates that these drastic measures may further erode ridership and revenue, potentially causing a 'death spiral' for the transit system. A public hearing on the fare increase has been scheduled for December 13. The financial struggles reflect broader challenges faced by transit systems nationwide as pandemic aid wanes.