Restoration of all SEPTA services mandated by the judge, yet the price hike on fares remains allowed.
A Philadelphia judge has directed the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to immediately reverse all service cuts imposed last month. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by longtime consumer advocate Lance Haver and two other riders, who argued that the cuts and fare hikes disproportionately burden Black, Latino, and low-income riders.
The order requires SEPTA to restore in full the services that were curtailed, including the 32 bus routes eliminated and 16 routes shortened. The injunction also bars any further service reductions by SEPTA.
SEPTA officials did not respond to the court's ruling immediately. However, some earlier service cuts were reversed last week by SEPTA.
The authority has been grappling with a $213 million operating deficit for the current fiscal year, due to a state budget that is now more than two months overdue. SEPTA officials said that the legislative inaction in Harrisburg forced them to enact the austerity plan, including fare hikes and system-wide reductions.
The state Senate is set to return from a break on Thursday. Governor Josh Shapiro, who would have made a budgetary agreement with the judiciary to sufficiently increase SEPTA funding, has been serving as Pennsylvania's governor since 2023. Budget negotiations are continuing, but it remains unclear when a deal might be forthcoming.
In response to the service cuts, Uber began offering free rides to Philadelphia seniors, and FanDuel announced a gameday sponsorship to resume the express trains and cover fan fares after the game.
The lawsuit also accused SEPTA of misrepresenting its financial condition. Haver suggested that SEPTA should draw from its stabilization fund as a stopgap until the governor and state legislature pass a budget. SEPTA projects having $400 million at the end of this fiscal year, even if they don't get a penny of additional money from Harrisburg, and have a $100 million line of credit at PNC Bank.
Lance Haver, in response to the ruling, said this is a victory for SEPTA riders. "This is a significant step towards ensuring that our public transit system serves all Philadelphians, regardless of their income or race," he said.
This article is powered by Hearken, a nonprofit organization that relies on financial support from readers. Your support helps us continue bringing you stories like this one.
Read also:
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: BP Faces Record-Breaking Settlement - Dubbed 'Largest Environmental Fine Ever Imposed'
- Cars' Environmental Impact Explained
- Lawsuit of Phenomenal Magnitude: FIFA under threat due to Diarra's verdict, accused of player injustice
- Early Morning News Dispatch: Should Diesel Vehicles Be Outlawed?
