SEPTA proposes FY2025 operating, capital budgets

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is proposing a fiscal-year 2025 budget of $2.6 billion, which calls for $1.74 billion proposed for operating costs and $922.8 million for capital expenditures.

For the first time, SEPTA's budget proposals are being presented as an integrated document on a web platform, which is compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that people with visual or hearing impairments can access SEPTA's budget data, agency officials said in a press release.

The operating budget proposal calls for $72 million for safety, security and cleanliness initiatives, including funding for 40 more police officers, 30 more safety professionals and 100 more cleaners. 

The proposal also features the ongoing expansion of SEPTA Key Advantage, which now has 50 partners and 91,000 participants, as well as SEPTA's Efficiency and Accountability Program, which has already recognized $50.2 million in annual recurring benefits, the release said.

The $922.8 million capital budget proposal is part of a $14 billion 12-year capital program, enabling the largest-ever investments in improved safety, cleanliness and security — supported by the federal Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA). The SEPTA capital budget calls for new full-length fare gates to reduce fare evasion and new cleaning equipment to support the expanded cleaning staff.

By the end of the 12-year program, all Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line and Trolley trips will be through an accessible station — compared to 61% today. SEPTA continues to operate one of the oldest rail fleets in the country, and for the first time, the FY2025 budget funds at least a partial replacement of each aging fleet. The Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line and Trolley fleet replacements are all fully funded, while the Regional Railcar fleet replacement is partially funded, SEPTA officials said.