Passenger Trains > TO Philadelphia members: Update on SEPTA cuts?

I discovered this morning that big cuts are planned shortly for SEPTA. Can any TO Philadelphia area members keep us updated on what happens with the Regional Rail Services?

Thanks,

B&O Bill

Nothing new except now they’re claiming the Keystones would also end if the shortfall isn’t received. That also puts into jeopardy the Pennsylvanian and the second frequency expected to start in a few years.

The Pennsylvania Senate's intransigence includes not paying the state supported service funds to Amtrak, hence jeopardizing Keystone Service and Pennsylvanians.

AmtrakMidwest Wrote:
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> Nothing new except now they’re claiming the
> Keystones would also end if the shortfall isn’t
> received. That also puts into jeopardy the
> Pennsylvanian and the second frequency expected to
> start in a few years.

You can find the latest information about the service cuts on SEPTA's website;  www.septa.org.

 

Basically rail cuts are slated to go into effect Sept 2nd.  Rail cuts on NEC eliminate express trip to Delaware.  Local trips remain but times are not quite as convenient time.  Can't say for other routes but expect cuts across the board.

History has been that something gets worked out at the last minute.   Even the ppl who drive know that of the rail service is cut. the highways will turn into parking lots.

But past performance doesnt guarantee future results.  I guess we'll see... 

5 rail routes, all on the Pennsy side, are set to vansih after New Year's. 

The upcoming RRD schedules are definately not looking pretty at all. While the weekday off peak times of trains are the same, the weekend frequencies really drop off considerably. Bihourly service on all of the Septa lines that have outlying stations on Amtrak owned trackage-not acceptable at all. It's really a shame that the weekday rush hour express trains are being eliminated. 

By the way, I am going to be on my Philadelphia vacation-spending from the night of 8/29 to 9/6 at a hotel in Center City. Thankfully I'm taking Amtrak both ways and was able to secure a great fare, thanks to booking early. I'm taking 651 down on 8/29 and then coming back north on 660 on 9/7/25. One day that I'm in Philly, I have plans to explore the north end of the Lansdale/Doylestown Line and I plan to do that on a weekday, if possible. It's possible I may look into doing that line Labor Day weekend. Another day, I have plans to railfan and ride the Warminster Line-probably will do during the week. Septa isn't just faced with the cuts. There are Silverliner IVs out of service for inspections. We have to wonder maybe if Septa will assign their Sprinter Comet Sets to off peak trains. It would be neat seeing them run during the middle of the day plus on lines that almost never see the Comet Sets. 

Passfanatic Wrote:
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>... We
> have to wonder maybe if Septa will assign their
> Sprinter Comet Sets to off peak trains. It would
> be neat seeing them run during the middle of the
> day plus on lines that almost never see the Comet
> Sets. 

Trenton Local train 9713 at North Philly station and train 9712 at Jefferson station Tuesday August 12.

Edited to add that these were mid day trains.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/20/2025 01:14PM by chuchubob.

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chuchubob Wrote:
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> The Pennsylvania Senate's intransigence includes
> not paying the state supported service funds to
> Amtrak, hence jeopardizing Keystone Service and
> Pennsylvanians.

No, by SEPTA choosing to delete all service on Amtrak in response to its subsidy not being increased to make up for the loss of COVID relief funds, Amtrak will need to charge the State more to operate the Keystones, as the entire cost of the line existing and operating will fall on the Keystone and Pennsylvanian.  It doesn't have anything to do with the State Senate.  The State Senate is not mandating cuts of all service on Amtrak.

In NY, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is funded by a mix of regional property tax transfers, income tax surcharges, congestion tax, highway tolls, and more.

That seems like an equitable way to apportion revenues

Posted from Android

Nice photos Bob! Yes, I have heard about that Comet set running on those midday Trenton Line trains. I'll be keeping an eye out for it, although not sure if I will fan at any of the Trenton Line stations on my upcoming trip.