Super Bowl parade line for first train at Wilmington Train Station
A video at 5:10 a.m. of the Super Bowl parade line for the first train to Philadelphia at Wilmington Train Station
Insufficient funding and overdue repairs may lead to nearly half of SEPTA’s service to be taken away, including Delaware’s main regional rail line.
The regional transit company released its budget for the 2026 fiscal year, with grim outlooks for many of its existing services unless the Pennsylvania Legislature passes legislation that would cover funding to support it.
Hearings will take place throughout May, and a rally is planned in an attempt to save some of the services proposed to be cut.
Here’s what to know.
What does SEPTA’s budget say?
SEPTA’s most recent budget outlook for the 2026 fiscal year was presented April 10 and showed a projected 45% reduction in services to be implemented in stages during the fall of 2025 and the winter and spring of 2026.
If more funding is not approved by state Legislature, beginning this fall, SEPTA is planning to implement a 21.5% increase in fares across all services and to reduce the frequency of service across all modes of transportation – including eliminating 32 bus routes and shortening 16 more.
By winter or spring of 2026, SEPTA will carry out a “broad dismantlement” of bus and rail infrastructure.
This would include stopping all rail service at 9 each night and terminating regional rail services that operate over Amtrak territory. This would include eliminating the Wilmington/Newark line beginning in January 2026.
SEPTA also announced that it would freeze hiring and raises for employees and alluded to the potential for layoffs within its already understaffed workforce.
Why is SEPTA making cuts?
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, SEPTA faces a $213 million annual structural deficit, which has compounded over the years as pandemic-era aid has run out and state and local investments have not been strong enough.
In its budget, SEPTA expressed that without additional funding, the system would not be able to support major events happening in and around Philadelphia next year, including the 2026 World Cup, the 250th anniversary of the United States, the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championship and more.
“With reduced service, buses and trains will become overcrowded and unreliable – quickly pushing people to drive more – fueling gridlock and worse quality of life,” the budget overview states.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget includes five annual payments of $292.5 million for the state’s mass transit systems, which faces an uphill battle in the state’s divided Senate.
Public hearings on the operating budget, which are required in order to increase fares, will take place in mid-May at SEPTA’s headquarters, located at 1234 Market St. in Philadelphia.
- May 19 at 11 a.m.
- May 19 at 5 p.m.
- May 20 at 10 a.m.
- May 20 at 4 p.m.
- May 21 at 10 a.m. (capital budget)
- May 21 at 4 p.m. (capital budget)
A rally will be held April 11 at Philadelphia City Hall from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. to support fully funding mass transit.
Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.