For years, SEPTA has been warning of dire cuts that would trigger “a death spiral” because of its perennial budget deficits. The agency says 2025 may be the year it may not find an eleventh hour budget fix.

If the transit agency does not secure additional funding, a first round of severe cuts, mainly targeting the city’s robust bus service, will go into effect Aug. 24, followed by a fare increase in September.

SEPTA also warns that further cuts — including the elimination of five Regional Rail routes and a 9 p.m. curfew on the El and Broad Street Lines — could happen on Jan. 1 if funding is not secured.

SEPTA is the sixth largest mass transit system in the United States and runs 800,000 trips across its services each day.

Here are details of SEPTA’s first round of expected cuts and how they could impact you.

How could the changes impact me?

Enter an address or a route name to find out how the service cuts will impact routes near you.

How much will SEPTA fares go up?

SEPTA is proposing a 21.5% fare increase across all types of transportation, which would make it among the most expensive in the U.S.

Cost of rides will depend on method of payment, but base fare for buses, Metro, and trolley rides will rise from $2.50 to $2.90 for riders who pay in cash.

What will happen to Regional Rail?

All Regional Rail lines will operate with reduced service schedules beginning in August.

More significant cuts could come in January, including the elimination of five Regional Rail routes: Paoli/Thorndale, Chestnut Hill West, Trenton, Cynwyd, and Wilmington/Newark. The remaining trains would stop running at 9 p.m.

What other cuts are likely?

SEPTA will end all special service, including extra Broad Street Line trains following Eagles and Phillies games. The transit agency is also eying the Broad-Ridge Spur for closure in January and if funding has not been secured, 12 additional bus routes could be cut in 2026.

Why is SEPTA making these changes?

Like other transit systems in the nation, SEPTA faces an annual structural deficit — $240 million, in its case — as federal pandemic aid for transit phases out. Last year, state Senate Republicans blocked Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal to pump $292.5 million in new state aid to public transit by increasing its share of sales-tax revenue. That would have brought about $165 million to SEPTA.

How can I learn more?

Under state law, SEPTA must hold a series of hearings before changes to fares and schedules.

Hearings on the operating budget are scheduled for May 19 at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at SEPTA’s headquarters, as well as on May 20 (10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Hearings on the capital portion of the budget are scheduled for May 21, at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.