The Hub 8/15/2025: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
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NBC10: Recap: Lawmakers fail to reach deal to stop SEPTA’s ‘death spiral’ – Pennsylvania lawmakers have officially missed SEPTA’s deadline for assembling a budget that includes adequate funding to fuel SEPTA’s services. In the next ten days, SEPTA will post information about its drastic service cuts and fare increases that roll out August 24th. For more information, see https://wwww.septa.org/fundingcrisis/service-cuts/.
WHYY: SEPTA funding still in limbo despite Pennsylvania Senate approval of budget amendment – Pennsylvania lawmakers reached an impasse this week, as a budget approved by the Republican-controlled state Senate made its way to the Democrat-controlled state House. The budget, presented by state Sen. Joe Picozzi, R-Philadelphia, provides funding for SEPTA, but draws the money from the Public Transportation Trust Fund. Opponents of the budget shared concerns that diverting this money, which was earmarked for necessary system and safety upgrades, could ultimately result in less safe, outdated service from transit agencies.
Mass Transit: SEPTA completes critical track work on trolley tunnel under Schuylkill River – SEPTA has completed extensive track upgrades, general maintenance, and cleaning during its 30 day closure of the trolley tunnel under the Schuylkill River. The upgrades set the transit agency up for its planned trolley modernization. Turnstiles at 19th Street Station and 22nd Street Station have also been removed, meaning customers now must tap to pay when they enter the trolley.
Other Stories
6abc: SEPTA moving forward with first round of cuts as deadline passes without a deal
NBC10: SEPTA service cuts coming. What this means for riders
The Inquirer: Is there actually $1 billion sitting in a fund for SEPTA? Explaining the Public Transportation Trust Fund.
Chalkbeat Philadelphia: Looming SEPTA cuts could mean many Philly kids miss class as lawmakers bicker over funding
The Inquirer: Republican public transit proposal is too little, too late | Editorial
Philly Voice: American Airlines to resume flights from Philly to Budapest and Prague in 2026
Philly Voice: Amtrak to debut faster Acela trains with more seats and amenities along the Northeast Corridor
The Inquirer: How SEPTA service cuts impact real Philadelphians, in their own words
The Inquirer: Not funding SEPTA could constitute a violation of the Pa. Constitution
The Inquirer: SEPTA cuts are moving forward, GM Scott Sauer says
dvrpc: Regional Air Quality and Why Transit Matters
BillyPenn: Chinatown Stitch design advances despite funding cancellation
