Philadelphia is stepping up to help students get to school. With a budget of $135 million, the city is partnering with SEPTA to bring back bus lines that many students depend on. This funding comes from the city’s transit budget for 2026, and it aims to restore routes that were affected by recent service cuts.
Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed pride in how quickly city officials worked with SEPTA to address the needs of students after cuts began right as school started. Starting next week, SEPTA will increase bus services on popular routes, making it easier for students to travel. Key routes benefitting from enhancements include the 14, 20, 23, 26, 47, 63, 67, 70, 82, T2, and T5.
There will also be a new schedule for some routes, including 84, 88, and 31, published in mid-September.
These changes come in the wake of substantial cuts that started on August 24 due to a $213 million deficit in SEPTA’s budget this fiscal year. The agency had to reduce services by 20%, impacting buses, trolleys, and subways, and even eliminating express services to the stadiums in South Philadelphia.
To help manage this financial strain, fares will increase by 21.5% starting Monday, and there will be limited service on Regional Rail trains from Tuesday.
Teachers are noticing the effects of these cuts. Andrew Saltz, a school teacher in Philadelphia, sees it firsthand in his classroom. He shared concerns about students struggling to make it to school on time, saying, “It definitely feels like it’s harder for kids to get to school. There are more kids getting rides from their parents.”
The school district’s data backs up his observations. They reported that 63% of schools experienced increased late arrivals, while 54% noted a rise in absences. The district is hopeful that restoring these key bus routes will help students return to class and improve their academic performance.
It’s crucial to understand how transportation affects education. Research shows that reliable public transport can significantly improve student attendance and academic success. As cities deal with budget challenges, finding solutions like this can make a big difference in communities.
For the latest updates on SEPTA’s service changes, you can check more information here.
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