SEPTA begins preparing for service cuts as funding deadline passes

Four-car electric multiple-unit trainset

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will begin service cuts on Aug. 24 after the agency’s Thursday, Aug. 14, deadline passed for funding to avert the service reductions. According to a statement from the agency released early today (Aug. 15, 2025), “With no new funding secured, SEPTA must proceed with work to implement service […]

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Pennsylvania Senate passes budget including transit funding, but House is unlikely to agree

White trolley car going uphill on street

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Senate has passed a funding bill that would largely use capital funding to maintain transit operations, a move the state’s governor and Democratically-controlled House say is not a viable solution to the funding shortfall that could lead to major service cuts in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Philadelphia-area Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation […]

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UP train derails west of Fort Worth, Texas

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

GORDON, Texas — About 35 cars of a Union Pacific train, including some believed to be carrying hazardous materials, derailed today (Aug. 12, 2025), ABC News reports. Palo Pinto County officials told the network that no leaks have been reported, but that the incident “is being treated as a HazMat situation.” No injuries were reported. […]

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Pennsylvania House again passes transit funding bill

Map of SEPTA rail network showing lines to be cut

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s House on Monday passed legislation that would address the funding crisis faced by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and other state agencies, but the bill’s future in the state Senate remains uncertain. The bill passed Monday by the House would provide $292 million from state sales tax, public radio station WITF […]

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Zephyr, Builder routes playing catch-up; more equipment challenges

Passenger train passing commuter-train station

CHICAGO — California Zephyr passengers across the entire Chicago-Emeryville, Calif., route are suffering the lingering effects of downed power lines early Saturday (Aug. 9) on BNSF Railway tracks between Lincoln and Hastings, Nebraska. Elsewhere, the lack of available cars and locomotives continued to trigger lengthy delays and cancellations. Zephyrs chase each other west, one round […]

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