A funding fight in Harrisburg could determine the future of commuting between Trenton and Philadelphia.
SEPTA, the authority that regulates mass transit into and out of Philadelphia, is proposing a 20% fare increase and substantial service cuts as it faces an annual deficit exceeding $200 million. The first wave of cuts, reducing service out of West Trenton and the Trenton Transit Center, would begin on Aug. 24 if Pennsylvania’s leadership can’t agree on a funding bill.
“I hope that it doesn’t happen, I hope that it all works out,” said Trevor Minnick, a Pennsylvania resident who commutes to West Trenton.
Further cuts taking effect in January 2026 include the elimination of the Trenton Line, one of SEPTA’s busier regional lines. SEPTA spends $65 million a year to lease rail lines from Amtrak, making their elimination a money-saver, officials said.
“I would have to switch to Amtrak, which is incredibly expensive, or you have to plan ahead like crazy,” said Lexi Malick, a commuter at Trenton Transit Center. “It would be very much inconvenient for me.”
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora weighed in: “We really hope that the Pennsylvania Legislature comes together to fund SEPTA. The alternative is buses, which would be even more congestion, and added turmoil on the roads. So we really hope that they get it together.”
