Trenton-Philadelphia train service faces elimination in SEPTA budget cuts

[marmar]

For passengers who don’t want to buy a pricey Amtrak ride to Philadelphia, taking a SEPTA train from Trenton has been the cheaper option.

But that option could disappear as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Public Transportation Authority, SEPTA, tries to close a $213 million budget gap by axing five commuter rail lines, 50 bus routes, closing 66 stations and shutting down metro and commuter rail service at 9 a.m.

A 21% fare increase accompanies the service cuts.

If this scenario sounds familiar, it is the doomsday cycle of service cuts and falling ridership advocates feared would happen to NJ Transit without a dedicated source of funding. ........................(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/55284374/nj-trenton-philadelphia-train-service-faces-elimination-in-septa-budget-cuts

[JBTaurus83]

1. As a resident

I really hope the state of PA can pass a budget that fully funds SEPTA. There also needs to be structural change at the agency, and more funds from the region towards the system. Cracking down on the widespread fare evasion is also needed. I depend on mass transit, and so do many other in the area. SEPTA has about 800,000 riders on an average day. It is ridiculous that they cannot run a funtional system with a city and region so large.