SEPTA passes ‘Doomsday budget’ with fare hikes and service cuts starting Tuesday

💲SEPTA's budget has a $213 million deficit

💲The state Senate has yet to vote on a spending bill

💲A fare hike takes effect Tuesday followed by service cuts in August

SEPTA's Board of Directors approved their deficit-ridden "Doomsday" budget Thursday, which will trigger a massive fare hike and service cuts.

The budget carries a $213 million deficit that without additional state funding means a 21.5% fare hike will take effect on Sept. 1.

Service will be cut nearly in half, including an end to nighttime service.

Starting in August, the West Trenton, Landsdale/Doylestown and Warminster lines will end daily service much earlier in the evenings, at 9 p.m.

By January, the Trenton line will be eliminated, according to SEPTA.

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'Great hardship'

In a statement following the vote, SEPTA said it is well aware of the consequences of the budget and is hopeful funding will be found.

"We understand that these measures will cause great hardship for our riders and for the city and southeastern region as a whole. SEPTA is still working with state leaders to secure funding that could minimize or reverse some of the cuts. If the state approves funding in the weeks ahead — we may be able to avoid the cuts and maintain current service levels," SEPTA said.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the Public Transportation Trust Fund Transfer Act on June 17, which would spend $300 million on public transportation spending in all 67 counties.

The Public Transportation Trust Fund Transfer Act reallocates the money the state already collects to invest in transit systems across the commonwealth and help repair and maintain Pennsylvania’s massive network of roads and bridges.

“This issue affects all of Pennsylvania, it’s not just the cities – this is a win for us all,” state Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Philadelphia, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said.

The bill has yet to get a vote from the Republican-controlled state Senate. Approval could avert the cuts and avoid a fare hike.

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