No Fare Increase in SEPTA 2016 Proposed Budget

SEPTA riders should not expect to see an increase in fare charges, the transit authority said when it released the proposed operating budget for the fiscal year 2016.

According to a statement from SEPTA, the budget will increase 2.84 over fiscal year 2015 to $1.36 billion, covering expenses between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. It includes resources for the permanent implementation of 24-hour weekend service on the Broad Street Line subway and Market-Frankford Line subway/elevated, which was launched as a pilot program last year.

The proposed budget assumes more than $650 million in state subsidies, with a local match of $93 million from the five counties in the Philadelphia region. SEPTA predicts passenger revenue to rise $4.7 million while ridership remains level. Expenses include an expected additional 70 employees across various departments, including eight more police officers.

Philly.com reports that a $48.3 million rise in labor costs accounts for 70 percent of the 2016 budget increase, with health care up 6 percent and prescription drug benefits 12 percent.

SEPTA will hold two public hearings in each of the five counties in which it operates. Public comments are considered before the budget proposal goes to the SEPTA Board for a vote at its monthly meeting in May.

Here is the public hearing schedule:

Bucks County Monday, April 20: Bucks County Free Library, Pearl Buck Room; 150 South Pine Street, Doylestown. Hearings at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Philadelphia Tuesday, April 21: SEPTA Headquarters, Board Room-Mezzanine Level; 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia. Sessions at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Delaware County Wednesday, April 22: Delaware County Courthouse, County Council Meeting Room, First Floor; 201 West Front Street, Media. Hearings at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Montgomery County Thursday, April 23: Montgomery County Human Services Center, Community Room, Main Floor; 1430 Dekalb Pike, Norristown. Sessions at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Chester County Friday, April 24: West Chester Borough Hall, Council Chambers; 401 East Gay Street, West Chester. Sessions at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.