The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia introduced a large reduction of services on Monday, marking one of the most serious actions by a transit agency in the United States. The cuts started at the beginning of the school year in the country’s sixth-most populous city, where around 52,000 students depend on public transport. SEPTA confirmed a 20% decrease in service, including fewer buses, trolleys, and rail trips, while also closing routes with lower ridership. Officials stated that the reductions were necessary to manage a budget gap of over $200 million and warned that additional cuts would come by January 1. A fare increase of 21.5% is planned for September 1, with a single ride rising from $2.50 to $2.90. At the same time, major transit agencies in Chicago, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco are also studying reductions because of financial strain and lower ridership after the pandemic.

The agency explained that the service changes were designed to stabilize operations in the face of reduced funding. Analysts described the decision as a precipitous step that reflected growing pressures on urban transport. Observers considered the cuts a paradigmatic case of how cities are struggling to support public systems while costs increase. Experts warned that the loss of services during large events, including FIFA World Cup games and the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, could be deleterious to local economies. Some economists argued that stronger investment would be needed to build a more resilient network, while planners cautioned that constant reductions may undermine confidence in public transportation across the country.