SEPTA has already paused 44 planned infrastructure projects to save $1.8 billion. The combined 49 projects represent more than $2 billion worth of deferred work, adding to over $10 billion in needed repairs and upgrades across the system, according to SEPTA.
“Using capital funds for operations keeps us moving today, but it pushes those critical investments further down the road,” General Manager Scott Sauer said in a statement. “We stand ready to continue working with leaders in Harrisburg to develop a long-term solution that addresses both our operating needs and the capital investment so critical to our future.”
This comes as SEPTA faces delays on its Regional Rail lines following an emergency order from the Federal Railroad Administration after several recent train fires. The agency is temporarily removing two or more cars from service at a time to complete federally mandated inspections and make safety modifications. According to SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch, 82 of the system’s 225 Silverliner IV cars have been inspected so far.
“We are completing about 8 cars per day,” Busch said in an email. “We don’t have a set end-date for completion, and we are continuing to discuss our options with the FRA as the October 31 deadline approaches.”
Across the river, NJ Transit received the first of 175 new buses earlier this month. The remaining vehicles will be delivered by the end of next year as part of an ambitious modernization program to improve service.