PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA has released its budget for next year, and there’s a lot less drama this time around.
The transit authority is planning no fare increase and no service cuts, and wants to beef up its bus fleet
With last year’s transfer of nearly $400 million in state infrastructure funds providing two years of operating money, SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer said the agency can move forward.
"It gave us at least a reprieve for a couple of years to be able to operate at least the capacity that everybody expects us to operate,” he said.
Sauer said the $1.8 billion operating budget provides money to buy new hybrid buses and add 13 new full-length fare gates at subway stations.
"The results we've seen from the first 10 stations is those gates, combined with an enhanced police presence, have seen on average about a 50% decrease in fare evasion," said Sauer.
He said SEPTA is also planning to borrow $2 billion to order new regional rail cars and replace its aging fleet.
"By summer of this year we'll be ready to award a contract for Silverliner VI replacement," said Sauer.
Four public hearings on the new budget will be held next month.
Sauer said SEPTA will also be looking to Harrisburg for predictable mass transit funding for next year, and said SEPTA has improved security and cleanliness as demanded by state lawmakers.
The transit agency wants more hybrid buses and fare gates.
The transit agency wants more hybrid buses and fare gates.
