SEPTA to receive 200 new rail cars thanks to Biden’s Infrastructure Law

The regional transit authority is receiving $317 million from the Infrastructure Law to purchase 200 rail cars for the Market-Frankford line. This brings the total money received from the infrastructure law to over $1 billion.  

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, is set to receive more than $317 million from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to purchase 200 brand new rail cars for SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line, which is the agency’s most heavily-used commuter line that runs from Northeast Philadelphia to West Philadelphia. 

SEPTA has received more than $1 billion from the infrastructure law, but this round of funding could not have come for a better time for the struggling transit authority, which is facing a $240 million budget shortfall and drastic service cuts. 

“A few weeks ago, I led a letter to the Department of Transportation on the urgent need to support SEPTA. Today, I am thrilled to join with my colleagues and announce [US Department of Transportation’s (DOT)] $317 million investment to support new cars on the Market-Frankford Line,” US Sen. John Fetterman said in a statement. 

“I am proud to have advocated for this critical funding and secured a record amount for southeastern Pennsylvania’s public transit infrastructure.”

Last month, Fetterman and US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) and congressional Democrats from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties sent a letter asking the Biden Administration to help the struggling transit agency. 

The latest round of funding comes from the DOT’s Rail Vehicle Replacement program, which was created by the infrastructure law. 

“I voted for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to bring improvements and funding to the critical infrastructure that forms the backbone of the City of Philadelphia,” Congressman Boyle (D-Philadelphia) said in a statement.

“SEPTA is a transportation agency that has seen profound challenges in very recent years. This funding will bring visible improvements that are long overdue at SEPTA and will allow SEPTA to enhance the quality of service for thousands of commuters along the Market-Frankford line—many of whom reside in my congressional district.”