SEPTA OKs FY19 capital, operating budgets

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's (SEPTA) board yesterday approved a $749.62 million capital budget for fiscal-year 2019, which starts July 1.

The budget includes funds to renew critical infrastructure, replace aging vehicles and improve technology, SEPTA officials said in a press release. For example, the agency has set aside $42 million to improve signals, interlockings, dispatching and operations management systems, and other technologies.

In addition, the budget will provide $30.6 million to upgrade 1920s-era rail substations and replace catenary wires. The agency also has allocated $35.2 million to restore commuter-rail service between Elwyn and Wawa, Pennsylvania, according to the budget proposal.

The agency proposed the capital budget last month. The FY19 budget marks a slight increase over FY18's $727.2 million capital budget.

Meanwhile, SEPTA's board approved a $1.45 billion operating budget for FY2019. The move will enable the agency to maintain current service levels without fare increases, SEPTA officials said.