(Credit: SEPTA)
The much anticipated new season of the NFL kicks off in exactly two weeks with the Philadelphia Eagles beginning their defense of their Super Bowl championship against the hated Dallas Cowboys.
Now, the Eagles should win that game because they are clearly the more talented team and the Cowboys are, well, the Cowboys.
But, imagine, if you will, a "doomsday scenario."
We've heard those two words a lot in recent months. They have nothing to do with football, but rather the cuts that SEPTA plans to make if it doesn't get funding from the state to make up its budget shortfall.
In a game of political chicken between the transit authority and elected officials, more specifically, PA Senate Republicans, we are inching closer to the initial effects of that "doomsday scenario" that SEPTA leadership has promised, as the first wave of service cuts are set to begin on Sunday.
But let's add in another possibility.
Let's say, somehow, someway, the Eagles lose that opener on Sept. 4. Fans who were down at the sports complex all day and all night will be none too pleased.
Some of them may even have their visceral response to such a loss influenced by some tailgating overindulgences.
Now imagine those same people wanting to get on the subway to head home only to find out that there won't be nearly as many trains available as there usually are, creating a situation where they are seriously delayed getting home as the midnight witching hour approaches, or even worse, missing out on being able to get on a train and being waylaid from having an option to get home at such a late hour with work beckoning the next morning.
That would get ugly.
And yet, that's a very real possibility, now.
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer told a recent Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee hearing that the NFL opener could be “chaotic."
Where’re the Phils, Eagles, 76ers, Flyers, Comcast, Josh Harris, Live Nation? Penn, Temple, Drexel, Villanova? CHOP, Jefferson, Main Line Health?
Where’re the enterprises w/ constituencies & stakeholders across the region that use SEPTA to interact w/ their products & services? https://t.co/HKlPn6pHkW
Traditionally, SEPTA runs 10 additional trains arriving before and 10 after the game to manage the surge of up to 17,000 departing fans.
With funding cuts, only four extra trains are planned post-game, meaning significantly longer waits and packed platforms at Lincoln Financial Field.
Starting Sunday, SEPTA will implement its most drastic service reductions in history:
Additional cuts by January 1 include:
Around 52,000 students relying on SEPTA for school commutes face uncertainty as classes resume across the city on Monday.
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission warns that as many as 275,000 additional vehicles could clog city roads if public transit fails.
Over time, Amtrak stands to lose roughly $71 million annually, jeopardizing services such as the Keystone line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
In Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania House passed a major transit funding bill aiming to avert the crisis. The plan would redirect $292 million in revenue (25% more) to SEPTA and other Pennsylvania transit agencies, plus additional highway improvements.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, who supports the measure, has criticized inaction and warned of the cuts’ devastating consequences.
The Republican-controlled Senate countered with a bill that would have covered SEPTA's deficit for the next two fiscal years, providing $1.2 billion for state transportation networks.
But when that bill went back to the House, it was shot down. Both Sauer and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll were opposed to using money in the state transit fund to cover the shortfall, citing detrimental impacts down the line once that fund is depleted.
.@GovernorShapiro & @PaHouseDems are getting in the way of @Eagles @Phillies @NHLFlyers fans getting to games.
💰is available RIGHT NOW for @SEPTA.@PASenateGOP tried to keep the Broad Street Line open for Philly sports fans.
☎️ Tell the Dems to 🛑 the block, keep things open. https://t.co/Vh5teXMZta
It's now a political football. Thus, the stalemate continues.
Eagles fans should expect delays, long lines, and limited transit options before and after the game.
Commuters and students face a disrupted system—late buses, fewer service windows, and higher fares.
Road congestion will likely soar as more residents switch to cars.
Future events like potential Phillies playoff games, the 2026 FIFA World Cup next July, and other large-scale gatherings may face similar transit challenges.
As Philadelphia holds its breath, SEPTA continues coordinating with city officials and urging riders to stay informed via SEPTA.org and the SEPTA app, while the political gamble plays out in Harrisburg.
It's going to be a nightmare down there, regardless, but it might be worse than "chaos" if somehow the Eagles lose to the Cowboys.
It could be Philadelphia's Armageddon.
