Another wave of SEPTA service cuts and fare increases are coming next week
With longer waits and some trains and buses even bypassing their normal routes, passengers across the Philadelphia region continue to navigate SEPTA's massive service cuts. Another wave is slated to hit riders just after Labor Day.
Many commuters across the Delaware Valley are already feeling the impact of SEPTA's cuts. That number is expected to grow after the holiday, when fares rise and Regional Rail lines will be reduced.
Beginning Monday, a 21.5% fare increase takes effect. For bus and metro riders, the base fare will go from $2.50 to $2.90.
On the Regional Rail, riders will likely pay $1 to $2 more per ride. Then on Tuesday, when many people return to work, the Regional Rail service reductions begin.
Riders, regardless of which line they take, will likely experience impacts. The new schedules vary.
For instance, if you take the Paoli-Thorndale Line, trains will run every hour on weekdays, with some service every 30 minutes during peak times. But if you take the West Trenton Line, peak service is only running every hour.
Here's a breakdown of Regional Rail service reductions taking effect next week.
- All 13 Regional Rail lines are impacted
- Service will be reduced from 30 minutes to hourly on the Airport Line
- Peak service reduced to hourly on the following lines: Chestnut Hill East, Chestnut Hill West, Fox Chase, Warminster, Wilmington/Newark and West Trenton
- Weekday hourly, select 30-minute service on the following lines: Lansdale/Doylestown, Manayunk/Norristown, Media/Wawa, Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton
- Weekday service will be reduced by 33% on the Cynwyd Line
- 11 of the 13 lines will go from hourly to every two hours on weekends — doesn't include Airport and Cynwyd lines
- No lines fully eliminated until January
CBS News Philadelphia spoke with riders at Suburban Station on Wednesday about how they're preparing for the changes, and what challenges they think they'll face.
"Probably have to wake up two hours early, like New York," a Philadelphia man who takes the Regional Rail to Bryn Mawr. "Maybe like looking for a job around the city. I think that's more smarter, I guess."
"I would say that I will cycle more," David Melich, who lives in Center City, said. "And then, just hope to get a train. I mean, they're already so packed at rush hour anyway."
"I think it's certainly going to affect poorer people who depend on public transit to get to work, to get to their babysitter, anything," Bill Jacobsen of Germantown said. "So, I think it's a serious issue, and I think it's tragic."
SEPTA officials have said they believe next week will be a big test for the system as the next wave takes effect, with more children returning to school and people resuming work.
Negotiations over funding for mass transit continue in Harrisburg, with few details emerging on what a potential deal could look like or when it might be finalized. Until then, this will be the new normal for riders.
Riders hope legislation is passed soon as lawmakers work behind the scenes
Four days into SEPTA cuts, lawmakers from both the Pennsylvania House and Senate say they have been working behind the scenes to fill the mass transit agency's more than $200 million budget deficit.
"What I am encouraged to see is that both parties seem to be getting closer and closer together," said state Sen. Joe Picozzi. "We need the people to know leaders in both parties in both chambers are working really, really hard and that they understand the issue, they understand how much this impacts people and that we're all working together, we're not bickering."
"Unfortunately, not enough has been happening," said Rep. Joanna McClinton, the Democratic Speaker of the House. "Our Senate Republican friends are not moving. We need to compromise. We have been meeting with them constantly around the clock, but they have yet to make an agreement. All it will take is a concession here, a concession there."
At the Somerton Station, the Regional Rail cuts mean weekday peak service will be reduced to hourly, there will be no express or limited stop trains, and on the weekend, service will be cut to every two hours.
Riders who rely on SEPTA are bracing for what's still to come and said they hope Harrisburg can get legislation passed soon.
"It's not going to be good if I have to wait two and three hours for a train," Kim Ackridge of Port Richmond said. "So yeah, it's not good."