SEPTA will raise fares nearly 30% by January and prepare to close dozens of routes after the state Legislature refused to approve a funding increase for the beleaguered agency.

The measures are expected to result in a 23% drop in ridership and revenue, and lead to a “death spiral” of further fare increases and service reductions that will make transit “more relevant” in Philadelphia and the region , said COO Scott. Sauer said Tuesday.

“We have been pushed to a position where we are managing the decline of SEPTA, the public transportation system that serves one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country and powers the economy of our region and the Commonwealth,” Sauer said during of a press conference. conference.

“While other states invest in new services and infrastructure, we will mothball our vehicles and close our stations. Rail lines will become so rare that they will be useless for most of our customers,” he said.