Service on SEPTA resumes fully, yet fare hike remains permissible according to judge's ruling
In a significant development, a Philadelphia judge has ordered SEPTA, the city's public transportation authority, to immediately reverse all service cuts and fare hikes implemented last month. The ruling comes as a result of a lawsuit filed by attorney George Bochetto on behalf of consumer advocate Lance Haver and two other SEPTA riders.
The lawsuit argues that the cuts and fare hikes disproportionately burden Black, Latino, and low-income riders. The judge's ruling requires SEPTA to restore 32 bus routes that were eliminated and 16 routes that were shortened. The injunction also prohibits any further service reductions by SEPTA.
SEPTA has cited a $213 million operating deficit for the current fiscal year, due to a state budget that is now more than two months overdue. However, the judge's ruling does not prohibit SEPTA from enacting a previously scheduled fare hike.
The governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, has stated that budget negotiations are continuing, but it remains unclear when a deal might be forthcoming. Shapiro has emphasised the need for adequate transit funding and modifications to SEPTA’s needs plans.
In response to the service cuts, Uber began offering free rides to Philadelphia seniors. Meanwhile, FanDuel has announced a gameday sponsorship to resume the express trains and cover the cost of fares for fans after the game.
Lance Haver suggested that SEPTA should draw from its stabilization fund as a stopgap until the governor and state legislature pass a budget. SEPTA officials have accused the agency of misrepresenting its financial condition. However, SEPTA projects having $400 million at the end of this fiscal year, even if they don't receive any additional funding from Harrisburg.
SEPTA officials have agreed to restore some bus routes most used by students by spending its subsidy from the city sooner than planned. The state Senate is set to return from a break on Thursday, and Shapiro's leadership will be crucial in resolving the ongoing budget impasse.
George Bochetto argued that the hold on new cuts means SEPTA cannot eliminate Sports Express Trains for tonight's Eagles home game. SEPTA will cancel and reverse the cuts and fare hikes if Gov. Josh Shapiro and state legislators make a budget agreement that includes sufficiently higher transit funding.
As the situation unfolds, SEPTA officials did not immediately respond to the court's ruling. The ruling is a huge victory for SEPTA riders, according to Lance Haver, a longtime consumer advocate and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
