Bucks Co. Democratic Lawmakers To Speak Out About SEPTA Funding

YARDLEY BOROUGH, PA — Bucks County's Democratic lawmakers will hold a press conference on Thursday to speak out about the impact of the Senate Republicans’ "disingenuous" funding proposal for mass transit.

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10) will host the press conference along with the Bucks County Democratic House Delegation at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Yardley SEPTA Station on 13 Reading Avenue.

They will echo support for SEPTA and share the "devastating impact" the proposed service cuts will have on Bucks County residents if they go into effect on Aug. 25.

Among the expected Democratic attendees are:

• State Sen. Steve Santarsiero
• State Rep. Perry Warren
• State Rep. Tina Davis
• State Rep. Brian Munroe
• Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie
• Transit advocates

The Pennsylvania Senate Tuesday passed an amendment to a House bill that would fund SEPTA in the short-term through the Public Transportation Trust Fund and interactive gaming revenue.

SEPTA's funding deadline is Thursday, and if funds are not secured, it will move forward with implementing drastic service cuts on Aug. 24 and increase fares on Sept. 1 due to a major budget shortfall.

Service cuts include ending 32 bus routes, the elimination of five Regional Rail lines: Cynwyd Line, Chestnut Hill West Line, Paoli/Thorndale Line, Trenton Line, Wilmington/Newark Line. These will be cut Jan. 1, 2026.

The cuts will also force a significant reduction in trips on all rail services, an end to all special service including the Sports Express, 18 additional bus route eliminations, and a 9 p.m. curfew for all rail services, all of which would also begin Jan. 1, 2026. Additional cuts would follow in subsequent years.

And, a 21.5 percent fare increase will be implemented on Sept. 1, as will a complete hiring freeze.

The cuts and fare increases were proposed in response to a $213 million budget gap, which stems from a combination of the end of federal COVID relief funding and increases in the day-to-day costs of providing service to customers. SEPTA is also grappling with the impact of inflation on everyday necessities such as fuel, power, and supplies.