SEPTA Funding Is A 'Livability Crisis' In Montgomery Co.: Officials

NORRISTOWN, PA — Leaders in Montgomery County are sounding the alarm over the proposed SEPTA funding cuts, which could have potentially catastrophic consequences for local residents.

The cuts come as part of a new budget from state lawmakers in Harrisburg, many of whom say that residents outside of the greater Philadelphia area should not shoulder the tax burden for the SEPTA system.

Faced with a drastic reduction in operating capital at a time when their meager expenditures were already stretched to the max by limited funding, SEPTA said they'll need to shut down the Paoli/Thorndale, Chestnut Hill, Cynwyd, Trenton, and Wilmington/Newark regional rail lines.

Leaders in Montgomery County say the cuts to rail accessibility will have a significant impact upon the region's most vulnerable residents.

"This isn't just a transit crisis — this is a livability crisis for our entire region. If SEPTA's funding gap isn't closed, it won't just slow down rail lines or eliminate bus routes," Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija said. "It will starve businesses of customers and employees, cut off job opportunities, and limit people's ability to access education and healthcare."

While the proposed closures of regional rail lines do not include Montgomery County's largest — the Manayunk/Norristown line and the Lansdale/Doylestown line — the impacted rails still either go through portions of the county or are used by countless county residents to commute to work.

Makhija suggested the notion coming out of Harrisburg that SEPTA only serves its local residents is shortsighted.

"Pennsylvania is the 6th largest economy in the country, and the southeastern PA region is the economic engine of the Commonwealth," he said. "The $213 million funding gap is the bare minimum Harrisburg could do. It we invested in the way that Boston invests in their MTA, we would be spending triple the amount to have the reliable service Pennsylvanians need."

His final point, that SEPTA is underfunded compared to similarly-sized transit agencies elsewhere in the country, is one that's been hammered by Democrats for years. Indeed, strong efforts have been made to increase funding to Montgomery County rail projects, and efforts have been underway for years to build a new passenger line that would connect Reading to Philadelphia, with stops in Phoenixville Pottstown, and Norristown.

SEPTA officials said the deficit will require 45 percent in service cuts, as well as a fare increase averaging 21.5 percent for all riders. Fifty bus routes would be shut down between Aug. 24, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026.

Beyond regular riders, people traveling to games at the Sports Complex and other special events would have to navigate the 9 p.m. curfew for rail services, along with other restrictions. SEPTA said it would also be forced to cease providing additional service to special events, including plans to support the World Cup, the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, and other 2026 events.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Max Bennett