SEPTA cuts back on nonessential expenses as it awaits a funding solution from Harrisburg

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA is doing some belt-tightening as it awaits the outcome of state transit funding negotiations in Harrisburg.

Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed putting a greater share of the state sales tax toward mass transit, but that wasn't part of the final state budget agreement. Lawmakers decided to hash out that issue this fall and, in the meantime, included $46 million in one-time funding to keep SEPTA rolling.

That’s less than one-quarter of what the transit agency requested. General Manager Leslie Richards said at Thursday's board meeting that SEPTA will make do, for now.

"That'll go to SEPTA as a bridge to get us to what will hopefully be a long-term solution," Richards said.

"SEPTA is facing a structural deficit of $214.2 million and will work with what's allocated until the fall."

While the transit agency waits for lawmakers to hammer out a long-term funding solution, Richards says, SEPTA is cutting back on non-essential spending.

"Dues and subscriptions, miscellaneous expenses like meals at meetings, have all been placed on hold, and we're also going through a selective hiring freeze," Richards said, noting that safety-related positions are an exception.

"No one from SEPTA is traveling outside of our service area unless it is directly related to a capital project."

In addition, free parking instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic will disappear at SEPTA lots, with fees going from $1 to $2 at surface lots and $2 to $4 in SEPTA garages.

"The new fees will help offset lot maintenance, and the remaining funds will help fill gaps in our operating budget," she said.