PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There are a few new perks for riders in the budget adopted by the SEPTA board Thursday afternoon. But the transit agency is warning of a bleaker financial picture next year.
The new SEPTA budget for the year starting July 1 has no fare increases, offers a second free transfer, and lets city transit riders use their Trans Passes at two-dozen inner-ring Regional Rail stations. But the party may be over a little more than a year from now, says SEPTA board chair Pat Deon.
“This operating budget will exhaust the last of our federal emergency COVID relief funding that allowed SEPTA to sustain our essential service through the pandemic and in the recovery," Deon said.
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That means SEPTA is looking at a $240 million budget hole next fiscal year, says general manager Leslie Richards.
“We are doing absolutely everything we can to grow revenue through ridership growth and tighten our belts through efficiencies. But those measures alone are not enough.”
Richards says without new revenue, service cuts and fare increases will be necessary. Legislation introduced in Harrisburg would allow counties to levy local taxes to fund transit. Richards says SEPTA leadership is urging the governor and lawmakers to support new funding options.
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