PennDOT Allocates $219.9 Million to SEPTA Following Federal Intervention

The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) has confirmed that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will provide 220 million USD in new capital funding for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), following a series of federal interventions over safety and oversight issues across the network.

US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the investment reflects the response expected from state officials after repeated warnings about the condition of SEPTA’s rail and trolley systems, which are overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said:

This substantial investment is a significant step in the right direction for a system that has been on the brink of collapse for too long. In addition to funding, we’ll need to see a tangible plan to ensure SEPTA is meeting sufficient safety standards for the well-being of passengers and transit workers alike. My team will continue our strict oversight of PennDOT’s management of SEPTA to ensure Philadelphians get where they need to go safely and on time.

The announcement follows a series of directives issued in October by federal regulators.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) imposed an Emergency Order after several fires on SEPTA commuter rail cars, instructing the authority to introduce urgent mechanical inspections of its Silverliner IV fleet. In response, Governor Josh Shapiro allocated 112 million USD for upgrades to electrical systems, propulsion motor overhauls, and related improvements on both Silverliner IV and Silverliner V trains.

During the same period, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) opened an investigation into incidents involving the overhead catenary system (OCS) on SEPTA’s trolley network. These events led to 11 reported injuries, the evacuation of about 460 passengers, operational delays, and equipment damage. The state subsequently committed nearly 108 million USD for OCS repairs in the trolley tunnel, new inspection technologies, control-centre upgrades, replacement parts for High-Speed Line vehicles, and work on 13 escalators at stations.

FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro said:

For riders, this is about trust. Philadelphia’s trolley system is a lifeline for daily commutes, neighborhood connections, and local businesses. The FTA’s intervention will help ensure those trolleys stay safe, reliable, and available for the people who depend on them every day.

The FTA has now issued Special Directives to both SEPTA and PennDOT. These legally binding orders require specific corrective actions within set deadlines.

The directive to SEPTA identifies two core issues:

• Defects found during an urgent OCS inspection carried out between 31 October and 7 November remain unresolved
• The authority lacks a formal inspection and maintenance programme for its OCS infrastructure

SEPTA must now complete six actions, with deadlines from December through April 2026. These include developing and implementing a detailed OCS inspection and maintenance plan.