(SEPTA Photograph)

SEPTA FY26 Budget Includes Service Cuts, Fare Hikes (UPDATED 6/27)

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) on April 10 released an operating budget proposal that it said “would require 45% in service cuts—coupled with major fare increases, workforce reductions, and a 9 p.m. curfew

"We are pleased to have reached these tentative agreements with Unifor,” VIA Rail President and CEO Mario Péloquin said on June 20. (VIA Rail Photograph)

Transit Briefs: VIA Rail, EXO, CTDOT, SEPTA, TransLink

VIA Rail, Canada’s national passenger rail service, reaches tentative agreements with Unifor. Also, Siemens is delivering the second of 10 Charger locomotives for EXO commuter rail, which serves the Greater Montreal area; Connecticut Department of Transportation selects HNTB for major upgrades along Metro-North Railroad’s Waterbury Branch Line; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) extends its advertising partnership agreement; and stepped-up fare enforcement efforts are driving positive change at Metro Vancouver’s TransLink.

Eno Releases Two New FTA-Funded Reports

The Eno Center for Transportation (Eno), an independent, non-partisan think-tank, has released two new Federal Transit Administration (FTA)-funded reports to “help agencies more effectively recruit, train, and retain professionals who manage large projects,” as well as assess the FTA’s capital cost database and provide recommendations for improving its usefulness.

Pictured, left to right: SEPTA’s Scott A. Sauer and Kaplan Kirsch’s John Putnam, Allison Ishihara Fultz, and Samuel Kohn. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations.)

People News: SEPTA, Kaplan Kirsch

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Board votes unanimously to appoint Scott A. Sauer as General Manager. Also, national law firm Kaplan Kirsch welcomes three senior attorneys, who served previously for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, and U.S. Department of the Interior.

People News: AITX, NRLC

American Industrial Transport, Inc. (AITX) appoints Doug MacDonald to its Board of Directors. Also, the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) names Stephanie Deiger as Vice Chair.

Latest exterior design of SEPTA light rail vehicles. © ALSTOM SA 2025. Advanced&Creative Design | Citadis™
Commentary

Modernizing Philadelphia’s Public Transit: SEPTA LRV Project

As we advance towards the final design phase and delivery of 130 Citadis™ light rail vehicles to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Alstom Project Director Mariana Duarte discusses what lies ahead.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA, CDOT/FRPR District, Santa Clara VTA

Amtrak advances upgrades and repairs at Lancaster Station. Also, April 2025 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) ridership increases 6% from last year; SEPTA’s Efficiency & Accountability (E&A) Program recognizes $91 million in revenue and savings; the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) District explore options to bring passenger rail service to the Front Range; and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) launches a veteran discount fare pilot program.

Eight new Stadler-built DMUs (diesel multiple units) are expected to run along the 26-mile, 10-station DART Silver Line before year’s end. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, Denver RTD, Santa Clara VTA, SEPTA

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is kicking off Silver Line train testing in Addison, Dallas, and Downtown Carrollton, Tex. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) is improving safety and security at Union Station; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) provides an update on Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) negotiations; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) celebrates 40 years of Airport Line service.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, LA Metro

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) continues to enhance safety and security efforts. Also, LA Metro announces that the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will open to the public on June 6.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, Tri-Rail, NYMTA/Metro-North, WMSC/WMATA, LA Metro

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches contactless payment on Regional Rail. Also, Tri-Rail ridership continues to show signs of growth in 2025; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches an initiative to protect the Metro-North Hudson Line against effects of climate change; the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) threatens not to approve the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) plan to expand automation; and new faregates are off to a strong start at LA Metro’s Lake and Firestone stations.

LOAD MORE