SEPTA Releases Capital Budget Proposals

“Investing in transit is an investment in our climate; equitable access to opportunities; public health and safety; and economic strength,” SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards said.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has proposed a $1.162 capital budget for Fiscal Year 2023—its “first to break the billion-dollar mark”—and a $11.4 billion 12-year plan.

The SEPTA Board will consider the proposals (download below) at its June meeting, the agency reported on April 22; if approved, they will go into effect July 1, the start of FY 2023.

Forming the “core of this budget” are the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), resulting in a $100 million per year increase for FY2022-26; newly bondable state funding; and federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) funds flexed to SEPTA from regional leaders, according to the agency, which noted that it could “leverage this increased capital funding to pursue competitive state and federal grant opportunities.”

For FY 2023, the SEPTA budget includes:

• $18.49 million for SEPTA’s bridge program.
• $104.89 million for communications, signal systems and technology improvements.
• $54 million for the infrastructure safety renewal program (ISRP).
• $33.79 million for maintenance/transportation shops and offices.
• $143.99 million for “projects of significance,” including Bus Revolution ($13.26 million), King of Prussia Rail ($40.04 million; to extend the existing Norristown High Speed Line four miles into King of Prussia), Rail Vehicle Procurement ($5.77 million; Market Frankford Line and Regional Rail), and Trolley Modernization ($84.92 million).
• $31.58 million for safety and security improvements.
• $5.7 million for SEPTA Key.
• $12.71 million for service restoration and enhancements.
• $88.69 million for stations, loops and parking improvements.
• $25.07 for substations and power improvements.
• $7.92 for track and right-of-way improvements.
• $273.11 for vehicle acquisitions and overhauls.
• Financial obligations of $56.79 million in capital leases and $305.48 million in debt service.

“Investing in transit is an investment in our climate; equitable access to opportunities; public health and safety; and economic strength,” SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards said. “We are grateful to our elected officials for recognizing this and delivering the capital funding we need to create a transit system that works for everyone.”