Philadelphia commuters are set to lose dozens of bus routes, rail stations and five rail lines starting August 24, after the city’s transit agency SEPTA voted on Thursday to approve a 2026 budget that slashes services by 45%. The budget will also raise fares by 21.5% as officials continue to press the state for help addressing a $213 million operating deficit.

Since the Covid pandemic, mass transit across the US —  faced with a collective $6 billion shortfall — has been hurtling toward a “death spiral,” in which sweeping cuts decimate ridership, leading to declining revenues and further service reductions. Few systems are under more financial pressure than SEPTA, whose officials warn that the repercussions “will be almost impossible to reverse,” and are likely to affect people well beyond the city, Sri Taylor reports. Today on CityLab: Philadelphia Transit System Votes to Cut Service by 45%, Hike Fares

— Linda Poon

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