With SEPTA service cuts coming soon, Philadelphia is urging both residents and commuters to consider alternate travel plans as experts predict an increase in vehicle traffic across the city and region.
SEPTA’s plan to eliminate 32 bus routes, shorten 16 and reduce service on 88 bus, Metro and Regional Rail lines will likely lead to more cars on the roads — and make commutes about 18-20% longer, according to one estimate. And that’s just the first round of cuts taking effect Aug. 24, with more coming in January if state legislators can’t come together and provide funding to cover the transit authority’s $213 million budget gap.
Many SEPTA riders will bear the brunt of the cuts by waiting longer for their transportation or traveling farther to a stop. But other passengers who spoke to CBS News Philadelphia in recent weeks say they plan to drive or take a ride-hailing service to commute if their SEPTA route goes away or becomes too crowded…