What SEPTA leaders have warned would be a “transit death spiral” moved one step closer to reality Thursday -a scenario which could lead to the end of its rail service into Delaware.
The Board has adopted an FY ’26 budget that without an infusion of funding from Pennsylvania would lead to fare hikes, service cuts, curfews and a hiring freeze. The Wilmington-Newark regional line would cease to operate January 1st under this scenario.
“This is a vote none of us wanted to take,” SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. said. “We have worked hard as an Authority to prevent this day from coming because we understand the impact it will have on our customers and the communities we serve. To be clear, this does not have to happen – if state lawmakers can reach an agreement to deliver sufficient, new funding for public transit.”
Special services such as the Sports Express would also be discontinued…