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The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) board has signed off on a $1.1 billion operating budget for fiscal-year 2009, which begins July 1.

The spending plan is about $15 million higher than the figure originally proposed in March to cover rising fuel costs. SEPTA officials expect higher fuel expenses to be partially offset by ridership gains. Since 2007, ridership has increased 5 percent. The agency has noted the largest growth on its regional rail lines, which now carry about 123,000 passengers each weekday.

The FY09 budget includes 65 initiatives aimed at improving service, such as by addressing overcrowding, expanding peak-period service, improving mid-day, evening and late-night service, and expanding late-night and weekend regional rail service. The budget also includes initiatives targeted at improving customer communications, and station and vehicle cleanliness.