A SEPTA train pulls into the Pennbrook station on the border of Upper Gwynedd and Lansdale on Tuesday, June 14 2022. Photo by Dan Sokil | The Reporter.
Bucks Democrats call for full state funding amid warnings of slowed commutes, economic fallout, and heavier road congestion
A new traffic analysis warns that proposed cuts to SEPTA's bus and rail services could significantly worsen traffic congestion across the Philadelphia region, particularly in Bucks and Montgomery counties.
According to The Reporter, if the cuts move forward, as many as 275,000 additional vehicles could be added to the roads daily, increasing commute times on major routes like Route 309 and Street Road.
The study, conducted by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, also predicts slower average travel speeds and an additional 2 million vehicle miles traveled daily, with over half of that traffic on local roads, per the article.
These changes would stem from SEPTA’s planned service reductions starting in January 2026, due to budget shortfalls. The impacted routes include key regional rail lines and several heavily traveled corridors, according to the report.
In response, Bucks County Democrats are urging the state to fully fund SEPTA, warning that the transit cuts would hurt commuters, local economies, and the state’s competitiveness, according to The Reporter.
The analysis also notes potential economic consequences, including reduced business productivity, declining property values, and a weaker regional economy.
