SEPTA, as part of its yearly budget process, is hosting two public hearings Wednesday on the authority’s proposed $976 million capital budget.
Over the next 12 years, the authority plans to commit $12.6 billion to capital projects – long-term efforts to renovate existing infrastructure and expand ridership.
The budget proposal would dedicate $157 million next year to the trolley modernization project, a $2.25 billion overhaul that includes the purchase of new vehicles, the construction of a maintenance center and accessible stops.
In addition, SEPTA leaders want to allocate $35 million to begin the process of replacing aging train cars on the Market-Frankford Line. Around $15 million is earmarked for Bus Revolution, the authority’s redesign of the bus network.
Absent from the plans is the extension of the Norristown High Speed Line to King of Prussia. SEPTA paused that project in March after it was not recommended for federal funding amid ballooning costs.
Public hearings on the capital budget will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The afternoon session will be held in-person at the authority’s headquarters, 1234 Market St., though residents can still tune in virtually through WebEx. The earlier hearing will be online-only, according to SEPTA’s website. To receive a webinar link, register at septa.org.
Meetings on the authority’s operating budget, which accounts for day-to-day expenses, were held Monday and Tuesday.
SEPTA leaders have warned that the authority will face deficits of more than $240 million a year beginning next summer, when the last payment of federal COVID relief money is depleted. Unless additional funding materializes, riders can expect potential service cuts and fare increases, officials have said.
The $1.69 billion operating budget includes no fare hikes; in fact, SEPTA is proposing removing the fee on a rider’s second transfer. First transfers have been free since 2020.
Also, the authority’s plan calls for making 24 Regional Rail stations open to riders with weekly or monthly TransPasses. The expansion would incorporate all Zone 1 stops as well as Airport Line and Center City stations.
Those who purchase a Zone 1 TrailPass will be paying $2.75 less for a weekly pass and $9.00 less for a monthly pass, according to SEPTA.
Both the capital and operating budgets are scheduled to be considered by the authority’s board at their meeting on June 22. Changes would go into effect the following month.
