Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Philadelphia transit hits 'death spiral.' Also mentioned: Chicago, Dallas, Portland, San Fran, Pittsburgh, WashDC
Washington Post, 8/23/25 (no paywall or other games like "gimme your email first" at this msn-hosted article)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/philadelphia-transit-hits-death-spiral-more-cities-could-follow/ar-AA1L4Adj
Across Philadelphia and its suburbs, a region of more than 6 million residents, commuters are bracing for a dramatic reduction in public transportation after state lawmakers were unable to agree on how to fund the struggling system. SEPTA officials have called it a “death spiral.”
. . . “fiscal cliffs” in which transit systems start cutting services, potentially reducing ridership in ways that necessitates even deeper service cuts. Transit agencies in Chicago, Dallas, Portland and San Francisco all face similar challenges.
SEPTA, which serves about 800,000 riders daily, will curtail service on all bus and rail lines by 20 percent as well as eliminate 32 bus routes on Sunday.
The cuts this month are just a preview of even more painful reductions in January unless Pennsylvania’s legislature acts soon to help SEPTA close a $231 million budget shortfall.
The transit agency will raise fares by about 22 percent on Sept. 1, and reduce service by another 25 percent in January. It will also eliminate five commuter rail lines that service the suburbs as well as Delaware and New Jersey.
. . . “fiscal cliffs” in which transit systems start cutting services, potentially reducing ridership in ways that necessitates even deeper service cuts. Transit agencies in Chicago, Dallas, Portland and San Francisco all face similar challenges.
SEPTA, which serves about 800,000 riders daily, will curtail service on all bus and rail lines by 20 percent as well as eliminate 32 bus routes on Sunday.
The cuts this month are just a preview of even more painful reductions in January unless Pennsylvania’s legislature acts soon to help SEPTA close a $231 million budget shortfall.
The transit agency will raise fares by about 22 percent on Sept. 1, and reduce service by another 25 percent in January. It will also eliminate five commuter rail lines that service the suburbs as well as Delaware and New Jersey.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced plans in 2023 to dramatically reduce rail and bus service. . . .
Leaders of the Chicago’s Transit Authority are also warning . . .
Pittsburgh’s mass transit agency, which is facing a $100 million deficit. . . .