The asteroid draws nearer as we approach the late August rollout of SEPTA service cuts and increased fares, what officials have described as a “doomsday” scenario. The combination will negatively impact hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians’ lives.
SEPTA funding is one of the key issues in a deadlock between Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Senate Republicans. The state House of Representatives passed a budget bill in mid-June that included $292 million in new funding for mass transit and infrastructure repair.
It’s unclear how much of that nearly $300 million would go to SEPTA, but it could be a key part in addressing a $213 million recurring deficit. There have been negotiations, but no movement, since then. Until the budget is fully approved and allocations are clear, SEPTA’s future remains uncertain.
On June 26, the SEPTA Board begrudgingly voted to approve its Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, which will cut services by 45% and raise fares by 21.5% to account for the budget deficit. Monthly TransPass costs will rise to $116 from the current $96.
Read along to see if you’ll be among the many in need of an alternate travel plan.
What will happen and when?
Beginning Aug. 24, riders will see the elimination of 32 bus routes and significant cuts to rail service.
On Sept. 1, the fare increase will begin, spiking bus and metro fares to $2.90, tying New York’s public transportation for the most expensive fare in the country.
That’s not the end. In January 2026, 24 more bus routes will be cut, a rail curfew takes effect and two trolley lines will be converted to bus lines.
As the September cuts begin on the first week of school for many and a return to work for some, these commute changes could have substantial implications for how you go about your day. SEPTA is encouraging parents to start making plans now.
What SEPTA bus routes will be changed?
Starting Aug. 24, the following 32 bus routes will be eliminated:
The 1, 8, 12, 19, 30, 31, 35, 47M, 50, 62, 73, 78, 80, 88, 89, 91, 106, 120, 126, 133, 150, 201, 204, 206, 311, 452, 461, 462, 476, 478, 484 and BLVDDIR routes.
Also being cut are special routes, such as the Mann Loop for concerts at the Mann Center in Fairmount Park, as well as those for sports and other events.
Starting in January, 24 more bus routes will be eliminated: the 28, 32, 44, 77, 90, 92, 95, 103, 118, 127, 128, 132, 446, 447, 448, 490, B1 OWL and the L1 OWL.
Bus routes 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 17, 27, 43, 61, 84, 115, 124, 125, 433, 441 and 495 will be shortened in the fall.
If your route is among the 16 that are set to be shortened, SEPTA’s website has a tool that can show you exactly where your route will start and end.
Many other bus routes will experience reduced services, meaning fewer and less frequent buses.
Which routes will not be changing? Routes 14, 22, 24, 41, 55, 64, 75, 77, 90, 92, 94, 95, 97, 105, 107, 119, 123, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 135, 139, 310, 311, 312, 409, 411, 415, 426, 428, 438, 439, 442, 445, 446, 447, 448, 450, 475, 477, 490, 492, LUCYGO and LUCYGR currently have no plans for change as a result of the cuts.
What SEPTA rail routes will be changed?
Starting in January, the Cynwyd, Chestnut Hill West, Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton, and Wilmington/Newark regional rail lines and the Broad-Ridge subway spur will all be shut down, according to SEPTA’s timeline.
The regional rail line M1, also known as the Norristown High Speed Line, will remain unchanged. Every other line will experience reduced services.
How will SEPTA cuts affect trolleys?
All trolleys will experience reduced services.
Trolley lines G (10) and T1 (15) will be converted to bus lines.
What is the new SEPTA curfew?
On Jan. 1, all SEPTA rail services will implement a 9 p.m. curfew, meaning that subways and rail lines will stop running at 9 p.m.
This curfew will not change the hours of bus and trolley services.
Could cut SEPTA services come back?
Yes, services could return if and when a source of funding is secured to address SEPTA’s budget deficit. Absent that, residents are encouraged to do their homework and make plans as if all announced changes will take place.
And be aware that funding won’t magically start full service. It could take time — as much as several weeks — for SEPTA to return to full service.
This story will be updated as the situation develops.