Updated September 26, 2025 | *This post will continue to be updated as new information becomes available*

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IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT SEPTA SERVICE AND FARES

The Common Pleas Court ordered SEPTA to halt any new service cuts or fare increases that were not already planned as of Friday, August 29, 2025. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) approved SEPTA’s request to use state capital assistance to cover operations.

As of Sunday, September 14, 2025, SEPTA has returned to full service.

  • Buses and Metro: The 20% service cut that started on August 24 has ended.
  • Fare increases: A 21.5% fare increase took effect September 14, 2025.
  • Regional Rail: Service cuts did not go into effect.

Center City Commute Planning

Philadelphia residents and commuters should be prepared for travel disruption, and this includes making plans now to figure out travel options. 

  • For those who must drive we encourage motorists to avoid driving to, within, or around Center City, especially during rush hour. 
  • For those who can access park and ride locations around the region, please check this map of available parking near transit for opportunities to avoid driving into Center City. 

Additional transit resources: 

Traffic Infrastructure

The Department of Streets is increasing staffing assignments to monitor traffic, adjust signal timing, and conduct emergency traffic infrastructure repairs.

  • The Traffic Operations Center will be staffed from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to cover peak commute times. The TOC monitors traffic conditions across the city and can adjust traffic signal times and coordinate repair crews.
  • The Traffic Engineering Division will prepare repair crews and temporary generators to respond to power outages or damage to traffic signals.
  • The Right-of-Way Unit will coordinate construction and utility permits on arterials and major streets to limit closures. Emergency work will still proceed.
  • Call 911 to report urgent traffic issues, like damage to traffic signals.
  • Call 311 for non-urgent traffic issues, like damage to the roadway, traffic signs, streetlights, or unsafe traffic conditions.

Enforcement

  • Inspectors from the Department of Streets Right-of-Way Unit and Highway Division will patrol streets across the City to ensure permitted street work and closures does not start before 9:00 a.m.
  • Call 311 to report unpermitted work or street closures.
  • PPA to increase enforcement of peak hour clearance lanes with a focus on North Broad Street. Check for posted no stopping signs for exact areas and times.

Active Transportation

  • Center City is considered one of the most walkable downtowns in the country. A person of average ability can walk from City Hall to either the Schuylkill or Delaware River waterfront in about a half hour.
  • The city has made significant investments in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure over recent years to accommodate these modes of travel.
  • When planning to walk or ride around town, people are encouraged to factor in heat and other weather conditions as well as their own abilities, but active transportation is a great way to improve your health.

Additional active transportation resources:

Indego Bike Share

  • $1 for the first month of an Indego30 pass throughout September using promotional code indecycle25.
  • More Philadelphian’s are riding Indego than ever before. In July alone, 142,000 trips were taken on Indego, the highest single month of ridership in the program’s history.
  • So far in 2025, Indego has added more than 30 stations – deepening connections in our existing service area and expanding to Kingsessing, Cobbs Creek, Wynnefield, Roxborough, and Port Richmond.

Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA)

PPA is working with the city to evaluate the feasibility of creating additional “Pop-Up” parking on vacant parcels near transit stops in outlying sections of the city. 

  • Travelers should download the ParkMobile App and check periodically to see the most current options available and to take advantage of the most convenient way to pay for parking. 
  • For more information and updates about parking across the city, please see the PPA’s website. 

Zero Fare & Senior Fare Programs

Philadelphia residents enrolled in the City of Philadelphia’s Zero Fare program should continue to use the benefit. The program covers the cost of any trip on the SEPTA system (Metro, Bus, Regional Rail, and SEPTA Access for cross-eligible riders). Participants are enrolled automatically or through partner community-based organizations. There is no application to enroll. For questions about the program or to request a replacement card, please call 215-686-4419 or 3-1-1 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Press 5) or email zerofare@phila.gov.

Any Philadelphia resident enrolled in Zero Fare and who uses SEPTA Access (ADA Paratransit Service formerly known as SEPTA CCT Connect) should register their Access card with the Zero Fare program by calling 215-686-4419 or 3-1-1 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Press 5) or emailing zerofare@phila.gov. Zero Fare is able to cover the cost of all SEPTA Access trips within Philadelphia for cross-eligible riders.

All Philadelphia residents 65+ are eligible for the SEPTA Senior Fare Program. Seniors travel free on all SEPTA transit routes and free on Regional Rail if the arrival and departures stations are located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Additional information about the program and how to schedule an appointment to enroll is available at https://wwww.septa.org/fares/senior-fare-card/. The City of Philadelphia’s PHLCityID is now accepted by SEPTA as valid proof of age for seniors to enroll in the Senior Fare program in partnership with PennDOT and SEPTA.

More Information From SEPTA

For updates and information about the service cuts please see SEPTA’s website.