Philly bus routes most used by students will be restored next week after Parker announces an advance of city funds

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Philadelphia has announced a plan to use city money to restore some SEPTA bus routes starting Tuesday, which “will enable students to get to school on time and return home safely,” according to a release.

Money from the existing $135 million SEPTA subsidy in the 2026 budget will go toward restoring routes most used by students in the city.

“We are proud that our City teams moved quickly with SEPTA to find a way to restore transit services in the areas where students are most affected by the cutbacks that started on the first day of school this week,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said in the release. “Making sure that all of our city’s children and youth can get to school on time and safely is one of our top priorities. We need our students — Philadelphia’s future — to be at school learning and participating in extracurricular activities without interruption or challenges.”

Service will be restored on the 84, 88, and six 400-level routes (452, 461, 462, 476, 478, 484). Service on the 31 will be restored from Overbrook Park to 63rd and Market streets. Service will be augmented on routes that serve a significant number of students to reduce crowding, which include the 14, 20, 23, 26, 47, 63, 67, 70, 82, T2 and T5.

More than 700,000 people use SEPTA daily, and an estimated 52,000 students commute by SEPTA student fare cards to get to and from school in Philadelphia.

The cuts began Sunday after the state legislature dealt with hang-ups in negotiations to approve transit funding in the state budget, which is now nearly two months past the deadline. Last week, Parker said she has “great faith” in leaders “on both sides of the aisle.”

“I continue to be optimistic that we can get to yes and find a solution that benefits all Pennsylvanians,” she said in a statement. “I have been in constant communication with Governor Shapiro and leaders from both parties, and I’m doing everything in my power to be part of a solution for mass transit funding in the Philadelphia region and across this Commonwealth.”

Starting Sept. 1, SEPTA will increase the base fare 21.5% to $2.90, up from $2.50. By Jan. 1, 2026, more service cuts could be on the way, including a 9 p.m. curfew on all rail service and the elimination of five Regional Rail routes and the Broad-Ridge Spur.

Philadelphia is urging people to plan their commutes in advance and use other forms of public transit, such as the Philly PHLASH, PATCO and NJ Transit. Motorists are encouraged not to drive in Center City during rush hour.

According to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, proposed service cuts to SEPTA could result in approximately 275,000 additional vehicles on local roadways, a number just shy of Pittsburgh’s population.