If You See This Sign, That Means Your SEPTA Route Is Slated For Elimination

PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA crews are installing signage across the city to inform its riders of dozens of bus routes that could potentially be eliminated if funding is not secured soon.

SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch told Patch that workers are putting up signs at about 3,000 bus stops that are alerting customers to the looming cuts. Crews are canvassing all bus routes to install the signage.

If SEPTA does not secure funding as it faces a massive budget shortfall, 32 bus routes will be eliminated on Aug. 24. SEPTA's board on June 26 approved the potential cuts.

See full details on service reductions here.

Busch said the transit authority is doing everything it can to keep readers updated on the potential slashing of services.

"It's complex for them to navigate," he said of the possible reduction in all SEPTA transportation methods. "We're trying to communicate these changes as early and as clearly as possible."

In addition to the signage at bus stops, SEPTA will also provide this information digitally.

Some bus stops will serve different routes if the 32 routes are eliminated next month, Busch said.

Due to ongoing discussions regarding SEPTA's funding in Harrisburg, Busch said it's unclear what the bus schedules will be, and thus will only release the reduced schedule in about two weeks.

"We're still encouraged by these discussions," he said. "Historically, this has been a bipartisan issue. One thing we have found encouraging is that no one says SEPTA isn't important."

SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer has been meeting with party leaders, as well as the leadership in the House and Senate, as well as Gov. Josh Shapiro, as legislators work to find a solution to the dire budget situation.

However, he said it's unclear when a potential vote on SEPTA funding might be held.

If funding isn't secured, SEPTA on Sept. 1 will implement a 21.5 percent fare increase and freeze all hiring.

Additionally, there will be significant reductions in trips on all rail services, a 9 p.m. curfew for all rail services that would begin in early 2026, and the elimination of five Regional Rail lines — Cynwyd Line, Chestnut Hill West Line, Paoli/Thorndale Line, Trenton Line, Wilmington/Newark Line.

These major shifts were proposed in response to a $213 million budget gap, which is the result of the end of federal COVID relief funding and increases in the day-to-day costs of providing service to customers.

Should funding be secured, Busch said the SEPTA board can amend the approved budget to reinstate eliminated services.