Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

Last Friday, I was honored to be joined by some of our region’s foremost business and civic leaders to host members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Transportation Committees for a tour of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) aboard our buses, trains and trolleys. As we continue working to build legislative support for critical statewide transit funding in this year’s state budget, this was an important opportunity for our funding partners in the General Assembly to see firsthand how SEPTA connects the city and region and helps to drive Pennsylvania’s economy. I want to thank House Transportation Committee Chair Edward Neilson and Senate Transportation Committee Chair Judy Ward for bringing their members to Philadelphia and for the opportunity to update them on SEPTA’s ongoing budget reforms and efforts to make SEPTA safer, more reliable and welcoming to our growing ridership. I am grateful to committee members Senators Nikil Saval, Tim Kearney and Camera Bartolotta and Representatives Mary Isaacson Joseph Hohenstein, and Perry Stambaugh for attending. I also want to thank Senators Frank Farry and Joseph Picozzi for taking the time to join us and welcome their colleagues to SEPTA. I am also grateful that our public and private sector partners shared how SEPTA service makes their vital work possible. I encourage everyone who values SEPTA to add your voice in support of a statewide funding plan to preserve transit. John McNichol William Carter IV, Esq. Thomas Hecker Peter Grollman Brandywine Realty Trust Matt Bergheiser Brian Keech Dawn Maglicco Deitch Jazelle Jones Chellie Cameron Prema Katari Gupta Jennifer Nagle

SEPTA's Efficiency & Accountability Program is making #SEPTA a more safe, reliable, and efficient organization! With employee-driven initiatives and a commitment to fiscal responsibility—we're reshaping our organization for the better. SEPTA's Efficiency & Accountability Program has recognized over $90 million in new revenues and cost savings. Join us in celebrating our progress and launching our next generation of Efficiency & Accountability initiatives. https://lnkd.in/eSYfbrXr #ISEPTAPHILLY #HowWeRoll #Leadership #Efficiency #Innovation

In Montgomery County speeds on the already congested I-476 could drop from 37.1 MPH to 32.5 MPH making commutes slower and longer and residents near discontinued Regional Rail lines could see significant reductions in their housing values as a direct result of the proposed fiscal year 2026 fare increases and service cuts. Please ask Governor Shapiro and your PA State Senator and Representative to support new funding for public transit. https://lnkd.in/eMDyKBYa #ISEPTAPHILLY #HowWeRoll #FundSEPTA

This week’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) leadership team meeting was held at the Charles Berridge Shop in the Feltonville section of Philadelphia. Berridge Shop is part of the larger Wyoming Avenue complex and is named for the late former Chief Automotive Officer Charles I. Berridge. Berridge Shop is one of just a couple locations named for former #SEPTA employees. Charles led a team of 1,000 people in tbe Automotive Maintenance Department. He passed suddenly in June 1990 while still in service to SEPTA. He had made such an impact on the Authority that the facility was named for him. The Berridge Shop is SEPTA’s bus back shop where skilled mechanics perform mid-life bumper-to-bumper overhauls of SEPTA’s bus fleet as well as heavy repairs of buses involved in serious crashes. The facility is one of SEPTA’s two ISO-14001 certified facilities. Berridge Shop’s overhaul process helps SEPTA keep maintenance costs low and extends the useful life of our buses. I never had the opportunity to know Charles Berridge but I have seen the amazing work that staff at Berridge Shop perform. Their expertise and craftsmanship is tribute to the memory of the facility’s namesake.

Please ask Governor Shapiro and your PA State Senator and Representative to support new funding for public transit.

This morning, I had the opportunity to meet with State Senator Frank Farry, a long-time supporter and advocate for public transportation, at Cornwells Heights Station to talk about SEPTA’s funding crisis and how it would impact his district. Cornwells Heights Station is on the Trenton Line, which is one of the five Regional Rail Lines that SEPTA will have to suspend without passage of a permanent statewide transit funding plan. Suspension of the Trenton Line would also mean the major station accessibility project currently under design at Cornwells Heights would be paused. Less than a year ago, Senator Farry stood with Governor Shapiro at his hometown station in Langhorne advocating for transit funding. We are committed to working with the Senator and his colleagues in Harrisburg to get the funding SEPTA needs. Senator Farry has always been accessible to our concerns. When he was in the Pennsylvania House, he was an important vote for Act 89, which has funded hundreds of SEPTA projects since its passage in 2013. He is also working to secure new protections for transit operators and their passengers. He authored Senate Bill 977 and helped to shepherd SB 210 to final passage in the Senate this year. SEPTA has reduced incidences of operator assault by more than 40%, and this important legislation making it a serious crime to interfere with or assault an operator of any public transit vehicle will make travel safer for all.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) leadership held their weekly team meeting at the Wayne Electric Car Shop. The team toured the facility observing the incredible work being done every day to keep the railroad running. SEPTA has the oldest rail fleet in the country. It’s no small feat to keep a 50-year old rail fleet running safely and reliably every day. The team at Wayne do amazing work. Imagine what we could do with adequate and sustainable funding.

Yesterday SEPTA Interim General Manager Scott Sauer testified before the City Council Hearing on 2026 Preparedness at the request of Councilman Thomas and members of Philadelphia City Council. The testimony was an opportunity to update members on the steps #SEPTA is making to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Semiquincentennial, and the major events that will punctuate the entire year. SEPTA service was a significant factor in helping to secure Philadelphia as a World Cup host city—so it was particularly painful to appear following our recent fiscal year 2026 budget announcement which included service cuts and fare increases that SEPTA will need to implement to balance our budget without a permanent state funding solution for transit. The math is simple. If Governor Shapiro’s funding plan is not enacted—and service cuts were to go into effect in late August—SEPTA will not be able to provide additional service for special events or support the transportation needs demanded of our world class city next year. Just as the City is preparing to welcome the world—SEPTA would go from driving its economy to holding it back. We are hopeful that a permanent state transit funding plan will be enacted quickly so that SEPTA can continue to fulfill its commitments to this important undertaking. We are grateful for Council’s support of our funding efforts in Harrisburg and we ask everyone who values SEPTA’s critical role in the city’s future to make your voices heard. https://lnkd.in/eq5bbqZ6 #ISEPTAPHILLY #HowWeRoll

SEPTA will hold four public hearings about the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget at SEPTA Headquarters on May 19 (11AM and 5PM) and May 20 (10AM and 4PM). Now thru May 28 you can call our public comment inbox at 215-580-7772 (Operating Budget). Please be sure to leave your name, zip code, and a message. And/or submit comments via email to [email protected]. We urge you to contact your legislator and demand action to fund #SEPTA! https://lnkd.in/e_GvRMkq

Today #SEPTA released a budget proposal that includes 45% in service cuts, fare increases, workforce reductions, and a 9PM curfew for all rail services to address structural budget deficit for the new fiscal year that starts July 1, 2025. The release of the budget comes amid critical negotiations in Harrisburg on a statewide transit funding plan introduced in February by Governor Shapiro that would prevent these dire measures from taking effect. Customers would see service cuts—including the elimination of dozens of bus routes and reductions in trips on all rail services—beginning with the launch of fall schedules on August 24, 2025. A fare increase averaging 21.5% for all riders would go into effect on September 1, 2025 followed on January 1, 2026 by the elimination of five Regional Rail lines and the 9PM rail curfew. A total of 50 bus routes would be shut down between August 24 and January 1. The impact of the proposed service cuts would be felt throughout the city and region as reliable options for everyday travel to school and work are greatly diminished. And those traveling to games at the Sports Complex and other special events would have to navigate the 9PM curfew for rail services. Like transit agencies across PA and the nation SEPTA is facing this budget gap due to a combination of the end of federal COVID relief funding and increases in the day-to-day costs of providing service to customers. SEPTA has been responding to this funding crisis by cutting costs and generating new revenue. This includes a freeze on management pay and cuts to third-party consultants have resulted in savings of $30 million. Other measures including a 7.5% fare increase and the resumption of paid parking at Regional Rail lots are generating new revenue. Together these efforts have helped reduce SEPTA’s budget deficit to a forecasted $213 million for FY2026. SEPTA will hold four public hearings about the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget at SEPTA Headquarters on May 19 (11AM and 5PM) and May 20 (10AM and 4PM). For more information on the FY 2026 budget proposal please visit https://lnkd.in/eA2yqGef. #ISEPTAPHILLY #HowWeRoll #FundingCrisis