SEPTA Cuts Could Impact Amtrak Service In PA, Congressman Says

PHILADELPHIA — The major cuts coming to SEPTA after lawmakers in Harrisburg failed to provide funding for the embattled transit authority could impact Amtrak service, according to a Philadelphia congressman.

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd District) Monday said the funding issue could cost southeastern Pennsylvania tens of millions in Amtrak funding and damage Amtrak’s ability to contribute to Philadelphia’s economy.

"Tens of thousands of my constituents rely on SEPTA to get to school, go to work, and to live their lives," Boyle said. "But the SEPTA funding crisis doesn’t just impact SEPTA – it will severely impact Amtrak’s operations in our area. Tens of millions of dollars in funding for Amtrak is at stake, and if this funding is disrupted it will risk potential service cuts and threaten Amtrak’s ability to maintain basic rail infrastructure."

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Amtrak's Keystone Line runs from Harrisburg and New York, and includes stops in Philadelphia and other communities in southeast and south central Pennsylvania. With the SEPTA cuts, Amtrak could operate fewer trains between on the line.

According to Boyle's office, SEPTA in fiscal year 2025 contributed $71.1 million to Amtrak to cover the operation of SEPTA service across the Amtrak system.

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Amtrak said that if SEPTA is forced to cut service, Amtrak will face almost $50 million in lost revenue.

"While failure to adequately fund SEPTA’s operation would directly impact SEPTA-operated commuter trains that run along Amtrak infrastructure, the potential reduction in SEPTA’s financial contribution will have a negative impact on Amtrak’s ability to reinvest in the rail network," Amtrak said in a statement to Patch. "This could lead to a deterioration in infrastructure condition and authorized train operating speeds, negatively impacting Amtrak-operated, PennDOT-sponsored Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian service between Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh, as well as Northeast Corridor services."

Amtrak would be responsible for $30.7 million in total additional capital renewal spending due to missing SEPTA payments, and it would get $18.9 million less in operating reimbursements from SEPTA services are cut.

As the primary owner and operator of rail infrastructure along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and throughout Pennsylvania, Amtrak get payments from users of its track, including commuter services such as SEPTA, to cover both the operations and capital investments along the corridor, Boyle's office said.