SEPTA approves Doomsday Budget, plans to slash service and kill Sports Express

In classic Pennsylvania fashion, transit riders are once again caught in the middle of a political tug-of-war. SEPTA just approved a “doomsday budget” that, if nothing changes in Harrisburg, will gut service across the region.

Yes, that will include a 9 p.m. curfew on the Regional Rail and the elimination of 32 bus routes, along with the Sports Express service.

SEPTA approves Doomsday Budget, plans to slash service and kill Sports Express

Without action in Harrisburg to provide new funding for transit—the SEPTA Board voted today to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget which will cut service by 45% and raise fares 21.5% to fill a $213 million recurring budget deficit.

Beginning with the fall schedule… pic.twitter.com/BUhgUhoavL

— ISEPTAPHILLY (@SEPTAPHILLY) June 26, 2025

“We understand that these measures will cause great hardship for our riders and for the city and Southeastern region as a whole…”

No kidding, SEPTA.

Starting August 24, Philly commuters are going to feel it. Service cuts hit first. A fare hike of 21.5% kicks in September 1, raising the base bus and metro fare to $2.90. On January 1, it gets even worse. Five Regional Rail lines vanish, and all rail shuts down after 9 p.m.

The Sports Complex is Screwed

No more Sports Express means game days at the stadiums are going to become a complete clusterfuck.

Want to take the Broad Street Line to an Eagles game or a concert at the Wells Fargo Center? Hope you like traffic, because SEPTA’s pulling the plug on the one system that actually worked on game day.

This all stems from the state’s failure (so far) to pass meaningful transit funding.

The House passed a $300 million plan, but the Republican-controlled Senate hasn’t moved on it. Surprise surprise. Republicans from rural counties, who don’t use mass transit and never will, want road and bridge money instead.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia, where the overwhelming bulk of transit ridership lives, gets told to eat dirt. It’s the same nonsense every year. Philly subsidizes the rest of the state, and in return we get crumbling infrastructure, shrinking bus schedules, and now the complete collapse of our transit system.

SEPTA gets slapped in the face by State Senator Cris Dush, who thinks transit operators are chauffeurs

What Happens Next

If the Senate doesn’t approve new funding in the coming weeks, all of these cuts become reality. SEPTA isn’t bluffing, obviously. This is the budget they’re building around and let’s be honest, there’s no cavalry coming. The only way out is a last-minute funding deal, and this legislature isn’t exactly known for urgency or vision.

So yeah, start budgeting for higher fares. Make new plans to drive to games. Maybe try walking to work. If you live in the suburbs and depend on Regional Rail after 9 p.m., now would be a good time to think of alternative ways to travel.

This is what happens when nobody in charge actually rides the thing they’re deciding on.

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