SEPTA plans to postpone the purchase of new buses, a project to make the Bristol Regional Rail station accessible to people with disabilities, and expansion of the Frazer train facility in Malvern in order to access $394 million in emergency state aid to help run the system.
The shift was required after the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation gave permission for SEPTA to transfer funds allocated for infrastructure projects to cover the transit agency’s operating deficits for two years.
SEPTA officials said none of the changes would compromise safety by stopping crucial repairs — a PennDot requirement for allowing the shift of money to operational needs.