Legal Challenge Mounts Against SEPTA as Service Cuts Continue
Legal Challenge Mounts Against SEPTA as Service Cuts Continue
Philadelphia’s public transit system, SEPTA, is facing a legal challenge to its recently implemented service cuts, which began Sunday, August 24, 2025. Prominent Philadelphia lawyer George Bochetto announced he has been retained by a group of riders to sue the agency, demanding a halt to the reductions.
Bochetto sent an email to SEPTA’s general counsel on Sunday night, asserting that the “draconian” cuts will severely impact racial and ethnic minorities and low-income citizens without legitimate justification. The initial phase of cuts, now in its third day, includes the elimination of 32 bus routes and reductions in rail service, causing significant disruption for commuters.
As of Monday morning, August 25, the lawsuit had not yet been formally filed, but SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch confirmed the agency’s legal counsel is reviewing Bochetto’s letter and intends to make contact.
Consumer advocate Lance Haver is confirmed as a plaintiff in the impending action. Bochetto stated in a Monday interview that the suit would challenge the cuts on grounds of disproportionate impact, despite SEPTA having conducted an equity analysis. He also alleged the cuts are arbitrary, pointing to SEPTA’s $390 million reserve fund as evidence that the reductions are unnecessary.
The group plans to seek a judicial injunction to compel SEPTA to utilize its service stabilization fund rather than proceed with the cuts. This move comes amid a stalemate in Harrisburg, where state lawmakers have failed to approve new mass transit funding. While there were discussions of GOP involvement, it remained unclear Monday morning if any senators or Republican organizations were officially backing the action.
The dispute over SEPTA’s stabilization fund is central to the disagreement, with advocates like Haver viewing it as a “rainy-day” cushion, while SEPTA officials describe it more as an operational checking account. Despite projecting a $213 million operating budget deficit, SEPTA’s Chief Financial Officer noted the cuts would save approximately $5 million per month.
Transit Forward Philadelphia, however, criticized the lawsuit as “grandstanding,” urging lawmakers to return to Harrisburg and pass a budget with sustainable, long-term funding for transit.
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