As leaders of the Save the Train Coalition, we’re thrilled to see new schedules from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) adding service across the Regional Rail system. 

But don’t let this heartening news obscure the bigger picture: SEPTA still has a $240 million budget deficit for this year alone. Gov. Josh Shapiro and Harrisburg legislators must keep their promise to add more funding for SEPTA and transit agencies across the state during a short session later this month (just nine legislative days) because without it, our rail lines will undoubtedly face cuts –  possibly even closure. 

On Sept. 18, all of us will have an important chance to make our case for additional dollars for transit, when the House Transportation Committee holds a public hearing in Philadelphia (sign up at SaveTheTrain.org for more details). We know it’s a busy season of jam-packed schedules, but we really need you there to show your support and commitment to public transit. 

Legislators are coming to us and facing the folks who these cuts will affect. If you can be there in person, there’s a sign-up form on our SaveTheTrain.org website with more information. Even better, bring a friend, and join us on our group ride down to the hearing.

You’ve heard this from us over and over again: Regional transit remains in peril, including our local 23 bus route and service around the city and across the suburbs. Without additional funding, service cuts and fare increases could happen as soon as November. We know it might seem counterintuitive to add service with SEPTA in this precarious position – leading some to question whether we’ve been overstating the problem. But the fact is these changes were decided months ago with the assumption that the $240 million would be there.  

SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie S. Richards reinforced this impending threat in a statement accompanying the new timetables. 

“As we continue to rebuild ridership, SEPTA is still facing a $240 million annual budget deficit, and the need for a permanent solution grows more urgent by the day,” Richards said. 

The 99 new trains SEPTA is adding starting Sept. 8 will bring rail service back to 80% of its pre-pandemic capacity and greatly improve service to Northwest Philadelphia. And yes, more service is a step in the right direction – we believe Philadelphians need frequent mass transit service that’s reliable, safe, clean, affordable, and frequent enough to replace driving. But after many months of talk with minimal results, now is the time for renewed action. 

In his budget address in February, Shapiro asked for $161 million for SEPTA for the new budget year, part of a five-year plan to infuse $1.5 billion into transit statewide. The budget that passed in Harrisburg in July includes only $53 million for the agency as a one-time deal. 

At the time, Shapiro and legislative leaders pledged to come back in the fall and continue negotiations for transit funding. But because the 2024-2025 budget is already in the books, any further changes are completely voluntary. We need to make it clear to the governor and lawmakers that, as their constituents, we consider additional funding mandatory – especially in an election year. 

The July budget deal was also an alarming signal that our city may not be prepared to accommodate the crowds expected during our nation’s 250th birthday celebration or other upcoming 2026 transit-dependent events such as the MLB All-Star Game and the World Cup. That’s a point we’ll continue to drive home with state and local lawmakers. 

Philadelphia’s state representatives and senators are ready to vote for more funding, and we’re grateful for that. Now, we must press Shapiro and other key leaders to make it happen. And that means we need you. Our website has resources to email Shapiro, volunteer to help our cause, and contact select lawmakers if you live in their district. 

The other thing we need you to keep doing is ride transit. Since our campaign began, we’ve seen a significant increase in ridership and expect that trend to continue as commuters and students return to fall schedules. Taking transit reduces traffic, helps the climate, and strengthens our community ties. Your ridership matters – every ride, every rider – and it’s the main path forward toward building support for a regional transportation vision that’s safe, clean, accessible, and green. 

For months, our Save the Train Coalition and so many of you have worked tirelessly to advocate for full funding for SEPTA. Now, let’s finally make it happen in Harrisburg.