Philadelphia SEPTA Service Cuts Impact 700,000 Commuters, 52,000 Students

Philadelphia began implementing significant SEPTA service cutbacks due to a $213 million budget deficit, affecting over 700,000 daily commuters including approximately 52,000 students and 65,000 seniors who rely on public transit. The cuts include the elimination of 32 bus routes, reductions in service frequency by about 20%, and the removal of sports express trains, preceding a 21.5% fare increase scheduled for early September. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and city officials are actively engaging with Governor Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers in bipartisan efforts to find a funding solution, emphasizing the urgency to restore transit services, especially for students. City departments are intensifying traffic management and exploring creative proposals to mitigate the impact, acknowledging the challenges faced by riders, including longer waits and overcrowding. Philadelphia City Council members have called for immediate action to secure funding and reverse the cuts, stressing that the crisis transcends political lines and directly affects vulnerable populations. SEPTA officials noted that while riders anticipated some disruptions, the service reductions have created an abnormal transit experience for the city.