A Philadelphia judge ruled that SEPTA must restore all recently cut transportation services, which included a 20% reduction affecting bus, trolley, and rail services, to address a $200 million deficit. Although SEPTA is working on rescheduling and expects the restoration process to take up to two weeks, normal service will not resume immediately. The cuts significantly impacted about 500,000 riders, requiring them to adjust their commutes. The judge’s decision stems from a lawsuit claiming the cuts disproportionately harmed low-income and minority riders. Meanwhile, SEPTA’s financial woes continue, with calls for improved state funding for public transport. Lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on a long-term solution to financial challenges faced by public transit agencies.
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