Philadelphia judge grants temporary injunction over SEPTA’s service cuts

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A Philadelphia judge granted a temporary injunction Friday during an emergency hearing over SEPTA service cuts.

While current service reductions will remain in place, further cuts have been halted pending another hearing set for Sept. 4.

This means the 21.5% fare increase and reductions set for next week are on hold for now, according to Judge Sierra Thomas-Street’s order.

Friday’s emergency hearing followed a lawsuit filed earlier this week by attorney George Bochetto.

“The judge has stopped any further cutbacks. No more phase 1 implementation and certainly no more phase 2 implementation. She said she’s heard enough,” said Bochetto.

The suit claims SEPTA’s financial crisis is fabricated and argues the cuts unlawfully place a disproportionate burden on communities of color and low-income residents.

Phase 1 of SEPTA cuts began Sunday and came with a 20% reduction of services across the board.

Lawmakers have not come to an agreement on how to fill the $213 million deficit. They have also not yet passed a state budget.