Congressman Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania’s 2nd District has warned that the Keystone Service train, which makes 13 round-trips between Harrisburg and New York, is at risk of suspension due to SEPTA’s funding crisis.Boyle said he had a one-on-one meeting with Amtrak President Roger Harris, who indicated that SEPTA’s funding issues could severely impact Amtrak’s operations in the area.SEPTA contributes $71.1 million to Amtrak to operate certain lines, including the Keystone Service.The Keystone line saw more than 1.2 million riders in fiscal year 2024, marking nearly a 14% increase from the previous year.”Many people in our area rely on the Keystone Service. If SEPTA cuts or eliminates that funding to Amtrak, that rail line will cease to operate,” Boyle said.SEPTA Director of Media Relations Andrew Busch explained that SEPTA is facing a structural budget deficit of $213 million, necessitating service cuts of 45% and a 21.5% fare increase this year.”Service cuts begin on Aug. 24 and continue on Jan. 1. Overall, 50 bus routes will be eliminated as will five regional rail lines that SEPTA operates on Amtrak tracks,” Busch said. Busch added that SEPTA does not know how the elimination of regional rail service on Amtrak-owned lines will impact Keystone Line service.”We understand that Amtrak will have to make decisions in the coming weeks whether to pause or postpone infrastructure projects on the Keystone Line in response to the planned elimination of SEPTA’s lease payments on Jan. 1,” he said.Boyle noted that Harris informed him there is no additional funding from Amtrak to compensate for the missing funds for the Keystone Line.He added that this has been a chronic problem ignored by lawmakers at the state capitol for years.No decisions or deadlines have been made yet, and Amtrak has not provided a statement.

Congressman Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania’s 2nd District has warned that the Keystone Service train, which makes 13 round-trips between Harrisburg and New York, is at risk of suspension due to SEPTA’s funding crisis.

Boyle said he had a one-on-one meeting with Amtrak President Roger Harris, who indicated that SEPTA’s funding issues could severely impact Amtrak’s operations in the area.

SEPTA contributes $71.1 million to Amtrak to operate certain lines, including the Keystone Service.

The Keystone line saw more than 1.2 million riders in fiscal year 2024, marking nearly a 14% increase from the previous year.

“Many people in our area rely on the Keystone Service. If SEPTA cuts or eliminates that funding to Amtrak, that rail line will cease to operate,” Boyle said.

SEPTA Director of Media Relations Andrew Busch explained that SEPTA is facing a structural budget deficit of $213 million, necessitating service cuts of 45% and a 21.5% fare increase this year.

“Service cuts begin on Aug. 24 and continue on Jan. 1. Overall, 50 bus routes will be eliminated as will five regional rail lines that SEPTA operates on Amtrak tracks,” Busch said.

Busch added that SEPTA does not know how the elimination of regional rail service on Amtrak-owned lines will impact Keystone Line service.

“We understand that Amtrak will have to make decisions in the coming weeks whether to pause or postpone infrastructure projects on the Keystone Line in response to the planned elimination of SEPTA’s lease payments on Jan. 1,” he said.

Boyle noted that Harris informed him there is no additional funding from Amtrak to compensate for the missing funds for the Keystone Line.

He added that this has been a chronic problem ignored by lawmakers at the state capitol for years.

No decisions or deadlines have been made yet, and Amtrak has not provided a statement.