by Philadelphia, PA – Starting next week, major changes are coming to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and riders across the region will begin to feel the impact. After Pennsylvania lawmakers failed to pass a funding plan, SEPTA is moving forward with widespread service cuts, reduced schedules, and fare hikes.
The first wave of cuts begins August 24, 2025, affecting dozens of bus and Metro routes. A second, more severe round of reductions will take effect in January 2026, reshaping how Philadelphians commute and attend events across the city.
Which SEPTA Routes Are Being Eliminated in August?
On August 24, riders will see the elimination of 32 bus routes. Among them are heavily used lines such as Routes 1, 12, 19, 30, 35, 50, 73, 80, 106, 120, and 126. Special loops and services like the BLVD Direct and Mann Loop are also being scrapped.
Additional cuts include suburban lines such as Routes 201, 204, 206, and 311, making travel harder for commuters in Montgomery and Delaware counties. SEPTA has stressed that these changes are necessary due to ongoing budget shortfalls.
Reduced Schedules on Bus and Metro Lines
Along with the outright eliminations, many routes will continue but on reduced schedules. On August 24, service will be cut on 88 bus, trolley, and Metro lines, including key routes such as 2, 17, 21, 23, 40, 47, 48, 52, 55, and 66, as well as the Market-Frankford Line (L), Broad Street Line (B), and multiple trolley routes.
A day later, on August 25, more suburban and Regional Rail routes will see reduced schedules, including lines 103, 104, 108, 109, 110, 113, 115, 117, 119, 123, and 125, as well as the Norristown High Speed Line (M) and the Media-Sharon Hill Line (D1/D2).
These cuts are expected to result in longer wait times, more crowded trains and buses, and fewer late-night service options for riders.
Fare Hike Set for September 1
Starting September 1, 2025, SEPTA fares will increase by 21.5%, marking one of the steepest hikes in its history. The new prices will be:
- Base fare (bus/Metro): $2.90
- Weekly TransPass: $31
- Monthly TransPass: $116
- ParaTransit Ride: $5.75
With this hike, SEPTA ties with New York’s MTA for the highest fare in the country, though the MTA may raise its base fare to $3 soon. SEPTA has also updated prices for Regional Rail passes and discounted plans, which are available on SEPTA’s official website.
What’s Coming in January 2026?
The next wave of reductions begins January 1, 2026, with another 25% service cut across the system. The following major changes are planned:
- Regional Rail Eliminations: Chestnut Hill West, Cynwyd, Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton, and Wilmington/Newark lines.
- Bus Route Eliminations: 18 additional routes, including 28, 32, 44, 77, 90, 92, 95, 103, 118, 127, 128, and 132.
- Broad-Ridge Spur (B3): Eliminated.
- Trolley Changes: Routes 10 (T1) and 15 (G1) will be converted to bus routes.
- 9 P.M. Curfew: All Metro and Regional Rail service will shut down nightly at 9 p.m.
This means riders who rely on evening and night services—especially sports fans and concertgoers at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex—will need to find other transportation.
Impact on Sports and City Events
The August changes will first be felt by fans traveling to Phillies, Eagles, Sixers, and Flyers games, as special express trains to the Sports Complex are ending August 24. By January, the new curfew will mean no late-night subway rides home from games or concerts, a major disruption for fans and workers in the stadium district.
SEPTA officials, including general manager Scott Sauer, have warned that this could worsen traffic congestion as more fans drive to games instead. These restrictions could also complicate Philadelphia’s ability to host major events like the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Why Are These Cuts Happening?
The financial crisis stems from the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds and lingering low ridership numbers since the pandemic. Although ridership has been rebounding, it has not yet returned to 2019 levels.
In 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro temporarily avoided cuts by redirecting $153 million in federal highway funds to SEPTA, but that was only a short-term fix.
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This summer, both Republicans and Democrats in Harrisburg proposed plans to provide funding, but neither passed. Republicans pushed to use money from the Transit Trust Fund, while Democrats sought to raise funding through the state sales and use tax. With the legislature now in recess until September, SEPTA is forced to move ahead with its cost-cutting plan.
Summary of Upcoming Changes
| Date | Change | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 24, 2025 | Route eliminations | 32 bus routes cut, express sports trains ended |
| Aug. 24–25, 2025 | Reduced service | 88 bus, Metro, and suburban routes reduced |
| Sept. 1, 2025 | Fare hikes | Base fare rises to $2.90; weekly/monthly passes increase |
| Jan. 1, 2026 | Additional cuts | 25% service reduction; 5 Regional Rail lines cut; 9 p.m. curfew begins |
What Riders Should Do
SEPTA is advising passengers to download the latest version of the SEPTA app or check SEPTA.org for updated schedules. SEPTA will also have employee ambassadors stationed at major transit hubs this month to answer rider questions.
Still, many Philadelphians worry these cuts will trigger what experts call a “transit death spiral”—a cycle where fewer riders lead to more cuts, eventually making the system irrelevant.
How will these cuts affect your commute? Will you stick with SEPTA, or start driving instead? Share your thoughts in the comments on ibwhsmag.com.
