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UPDATED: 11:23 a.m.
The reduction is about 45% of normal weekday service.
Scott Sauer, assistant general manager of operations, said the typical four-minute weekday wait for a train will now be about 10 minutes.
Earlier in the week, SEPTA cut its Regional Rail service by 25% because many crew members called out, likely due to the coronavirus outbreak. Regional Rail service is currently on a winter storm schedule.
Regional Rail ridership is currently down 60% compared to a regular weekday.
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The schedule changes begin on Sunday. Affected lines include the Norristown High Speed Line, Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, as well as buses and trolleys.
“We will pivot to a Saturday schedule,” he reiterated. “It's an existing schedule, something that the customers are probably used to where we have a reduced service schedule on transit on a typical Saturday. We will now run that Saturday schedule seven days a week.”
Sauer noted that buses will not be running to shopping centers, such as the King of Prussia Mall or Philadelphia Mills, since they have been ordered to close.
Sauer said some of its employees who would normally operate buses and trains will now be redeployed to transportation centers to help disinfect the vehicles that are running.
SEPTA is also closing outlying Regional Rail ticket windows and waiting rooms, beginning Friday, but the agency said the reduced service on those lines will not be affected.
Fares will continue to be available for purchase at the five Center City ticket offices and SEPTA Key kiosks. Cash fares on Regional Rail trains will be the reduced weekend rate.
Customer service offices at 30th Street Station and the Olney Transportation Center are closed, but commuters can reach out to SEPTA online regarding unused weekly and monthly passes. SEPTA is offering credits for unused or partially used fares.