SEPTA’s Chestnut Hill East Line, which was shut down for construction in June, will remain closed longer than expected, transit officials said.
Trains were scheduled to return Tuesday, Sept. 2, but the authority said that, due to delays in the project, service will now be restored on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 7. Chestnut Hill East was suspended June 15 to allow for the $36 million rehabilitation of five bridges along the line.
Given the relatively short notice, accurate schedule information may not be available on SEPTA’s website, phone app or third-party services, the transit agency said.
Chestnut Hill East, which averaged nearly 3,100 weekday riders in 2024, primarily provides access between Center City and Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill.
“We must ensure the bridges and tracks are thoroughly tested before we can welcome our Chestnut Hill East passengers back,” a post on SEPTA’s website states. “We thank our riders who have been patient this summer as we continue to work to improve our system.”
Residents are encouraged to use the Chestnut Hill West Line or Route 23 bus to travel to and from Center City, according to the authority.
SEPTA will continue running extra trains on Chestnut Hill West, with two morning and two afternoon rush hour trips between Tuesday, Sept. 2, and Friday, Sept. 5, officials said.
New Regional Rail schedules, incorporating a 20% reduction in frequency, were set to go into effect Tuesday, but the change is now on hold due to a court order issued Friday. SEPTA is facing a $213 million budget deficit, amid a well-publicized funding crisis and apparent state budget stalement.
Chestnut Hill West is one of five Regional Rail lines that could be eliminated in January – if no additional funding arrives – as part of SEPTA’s second round of cuts.
