SEPTA Lays Out Timeline For Service Restoration

PHILADELPHIA — After SEPTA's request to use nearly $400 million in capital funds to bring back its services to normal was approved, the transit authority Monday laid out a timeline for a return to normalcy.

SEPTA will restore full service on Sunday. See details on the service cuts here.

This means SEPTA will roll back the 20 percent bus and metro service cuts that started on Aug. 24.

To prepare for the service restoration, SEPTA will work to ensure all safety sensitive systems, including signal and dispatch systems, are updated with new schedule data. This also provides time to ensure bus operators, maintenance crews, and other personnel can safely transition to new work schedules.

Gov. Josh Shapiro's Administration on Monday approved SEPTA's request to release $394 million in capital assistance funds to support its daily operations.

While services will be back to normal, fares are still going up. The 21.5 percent system-wide fare increase will also be reinstated on Sunday, as well.

"This is not the long-term funding solution we need to address our $213 million budget deficit," SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer said. "But over the last two weeks, we have seen the devastating effects of the service cuts on our customers. Our riders deserve better, and they deserve stability."

The funds will prevent SEPTA from implementing further cuts that included eliminating five Regional Rail lines and a 9 p.m. curfew on all rail services. These were scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

SEPTA sought the release of funds due to the prolonged state budget impasse and no resolution to the statewide transit funding crisis,

According to SEPTA, the week of Aug. 25 saw more than 4,400 people being left behind at bus and trolley stops due to crowded conditions caused by running less service.

The number of bus trips running late was up more than 26 percent compared to normal conditions.

With the new funds, SEPTA can move forward with the implementation of its new bus network and support the major events coming to Philadelphia in 2026.

"We are grateful to the Governor and our legislative delegation, and all of our advocates, for their tireless efforts to rally for transit funding," Sauer said. "We are urging all parties to continue to work towards an agreement on a transit funding plan that preserves the service our customers and region deserve."