PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA service has returned to where it was three weeks ago, before the agency imposed cutbacks. But riders now have to pay more.
Fares for a bus or subway have increased from $2.50 to $2.90, while Regional Rail rates increased by about $1. Monthly trans passes have gone from $96 to $116.
Micah, who works in Center City and lives in West Philly, depends on SEPTA to get around. He said the fare hike on Sunday was a rude awakening.
“Forty cents is a lot to a broke man. I can’t afford that,” he said. “Y’all know how much Uber costs? I barely make $20k a year. Heck to the no. Y’all better fix y’all stuff.”
In early September, a judge ordered SEPTA to roll back the service cuts it enforced in late August to address a $213 million shortfall, but said it could stick with the 21.5% fare increase. The ruling came after an injunction hearing in a suit brought by attorney George Bochetto, which claimed the cuts would unfairly affect minorities.
With still no state budget, SEPTA asked PennDOT for permission to take money from the Public Transportation Trust Fund to balance its funds.
On Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro approved the agency's request to use up to $394 million of their current capital assistance allocation. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll noted that this isn't a long-term solution, and said this money was not already earmarked for specific projects.
SEPTA had eliminated 32 bus routes, shortened 16 bus routes, and reduced 88 total routes. On Sunday, the transit agency began to restore most services. By Monday, Sept. 15, full service will be back.
In a statement, General Manager Scott Sauer thanked riders for their patience and sticking with SEPTA. He says they will continue to fight to secure long-term resources.
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