Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced on Monday that the state is providing an extra $220 million to help SEPTA, Philadelphia’s mass transit agency, address safety concerns with its aging Silverliner IV railcars. This move comes after federal authorities ordered SEPTA to take steps to prevent fires following five incidents involving these railcars earlier this year.
The Silverliner IV trains, which date back to the mid-1970s, make up about two-thirds of SEPTA’s regional rail fleet. They are the oldest railcars in the nation’s oldest rail system, and the recent fires prompted federal inspections and urgent upgrades. SEPTA had to pull about one-third of these trains out of service recently, causing delays, crowding, and cancellations for riders. The agency expects to restore service to nearly full capacity by mid-December.
At a news conference held at SEPTA’s Frazer maintenance plant in Malvern, Shapiro emphasized the importance of supporting the transit system for the economy and communities. He said the funding will cover upgrades to the Silverliner IV cars, improvements to inspection and maintenance systems, and the lease or purchase of additional railcars. SEPTA estimates it will cost nearly $1 billion and take about ten years to fully replace the Silverliner IV fleet. However, the governor stressed that riders can’t wait that long, so these funds will help ensure safety for the meantime.
The decision to allocate funds follows a tough battle in the state Legislature, where Republican lawmakers previously blocked Shapiro’s requests for more transit money. They argued that highways also need investment and called for SEPTA to boost fares and improve efficiency. These disagreements led to a brief shutdown of some SEPTA services, which the agency said was more severe than any other major U.S. transit agency has faced, due to a budget gap exceeding $200 million.
The Silverliner IV railcars have posed serious risks. Each of the five fires this year required passengers to evacuate, sometimes involving hundreds of people. Though only minor injuries were reported, two railcars were destroyed, with one car involved in two separate fire incidents.
With several major events coming to Philadelphia next year—including FIFA World Cup matches, the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations, and big sports tournaments—Shapiro worries public transit must be reliable and safe to handle an influx of riders. SEPTA serves about 800,000 passengers daily on buses, trolleys, and trains, but the agency has struggled with outdated infrastructure and a backlog of more than $10 billion in needed upgrades due to a lack of adequate public funding.
This latest funding boost signals the state’s commitment to keeping SEPTA running safely while longer-term solutions are developed. For now, SEPTA riders can expect to see the Silverliner IV trains returning to the tracks starting Monday as inspections and repairs continue.