SEPTA restores Wilmington trains and buses, but long-term funding still in question

SEPTA Regional Rail and buses serving Wilmington are back in full operation after service was restored September 14. (Photo by ExactoCreation FLICKR)

WILMINGTON – After weeks of uncertainty for riders, SEPTA restored bus, train, and rail service across the region on Saturday, September 14.

While Wilmington commuters once again have access to full service, the agency says its funding challenges are far from resolved.

In a message to riders, Scott A. Sauer, General Manager of SEPTA, acknowledged the strain of the past several weeks.

“With schedules changing back and forth, and new lists of routes running or not running, there has been more than a little uncertainty making it harder for our customers and employees alike to get through the day,” Sauer wrote.

Service Restored, But Transition May Be Uneven

Sauer emphasized that Wilmington buses and Regional Rail were included in the restored service.

“This Sunday, Sept. 14, we will begin restoring service across our Bus, Metro and Regional Rail systems,” the agency said. “This is a big undertaking, and I know there will still be some confusion as we make the transition.”

He admitted that sudden schedule shifts over the past month created challenges.

“Over the past month, we’ve changed schedules three times already, sometimes with only a few days’ notice,” Sauer said.

He asked passengers to remain patient as stability returns.

Fare Increase to Help Close Budget Gap

The service restoration also came with a systemwide fare increase. Bus and Metro rides rose from $2.50 to $2.90.

“This change has been part of our long-standing plan to close SEPTA’s budget gap. It is not new, but it is necessary,” Sauer said.

Funding Crisis Remains

Despite service being back on track, Sauer cautioned that a permanent solution is still needed.

“While we are restoring full service, I want to be clear that we still don’t have a long-term solution to the funding crisis that’s at the heart of it all,” he wrote.

For now, SEPTA has been permitted to shift funds originally intended for infrastructure and equipment upgrades.

Sauer closed his statement by thanking riders for their support.

“In the meantime, thank you for sticking with us during this challenging time. Your patience and support mean a lot as we work to restore the reliable, stable service our riders deserve.”

Claudia Estrada

Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting editor@townsquarelive.com