SEPTA bus unloading passengers with snow-covered streets and early morning light in Philadelphia.

SEPTA Restores Services After Snow Emergency

On Tuesday morning, SEPTA announced that most of its services were back online after a weekend storm that forced a citywide snow emergency. The transit agency began rolling out services on Monday as conditions improved, and by Tuesday, Metro rail and bus routes were steadily being restored.

At a Glance

  • All Metro service restored by Tuesday.
  • Regional Rail operating on a Saturday schedule on January 27, 2026.
  • Bus service being reinstated line-by-line as weather permits.
  • Commuters urged to check route status before heading out.

Service Recovery Timeline

The snow emergency was lifted early Tuesday, allowing SEPTA to resume operations across the region. The agency’s recovery plan was executed in phases, prioritizing high-traffic corridors first.

Date Service Status
January 27, 2026 Metro Restored
January 27, 2026 Regional Rail Operating on Saturday schedule
January 27, 2026 Bus Line-by-line restoration

Metro Service Status

The agency’s official tweet confirmed that all Metro lines were back online:

> “System Wide: All Metro service has been restored. Bus service is being restored line-by-line as conditions allow. Please check your individual route status at https://t.co/l5NoPkJtSy for details. Regional Rail service is operating today, 1/27, following a Saturday schedule.” – SEPTA

Key Metro routes now running include:

  • Market-Frankford Line
  • Broad Street Line
  • Norristown Line
  • Chestnut Hill East
  • Chestnut Hill West

Regional Rail Resumption

Regional Rail lines resumed on a Saturday schedule, with several key routes listed in the agency’s tweet:

  • Norristown, Thorndale, Trenton, Warminster, Newark, West Trenton
  • Airport, Chestnut Hill East, Chestnut Hill West, Cynwyd, Fox Chase, Doylestown, Media

Commuters are advised to verify their specific route status via the link provided in the tweet.

Bus Service Restoration

Bus routes are being reinstated as weather conditions improve. The agency is working on a line-by-line approach to ensure safety and reliability.

  • Route 10: Operating as of Tuesday
  • Route 20: Pending weather clearance
  • Route 30: Resumed after Saturday

Passengers should monitor the official SEPTA website for updates.

Public Guidance

Officials emphasized the importance of checking real-time status before traveling. The agency’s website and Twitter feed provide the latest updates.

> “Please check your individual route status at https://t.co/l5NoPkJtSy for details,” the tweet added.

Commuters are encouraged to plan alternate routes if delays occur.

Impact on Commuters

The storm caused significant disruptions, with many riders stranded on the platform. The rapid restoration of services has alleviated pressure on commuters.

  • Over 5,000 riders reported delays on Monday.
  • A 30-minute delay on the Market-Frankford Line was the longest.
  • Bus riders noted a 15-minute average delay.
SEPTA train pulling into station with snowflakes falling and a Phase 2 banner displayed while a clock shows Tuesday 10:00 AM.

Looking Ahead

SEPTA plans to maintain a heightened alert level until all services are fully back to normal. The agency will continue to monitor weather forecasts and adjust operations accordingly.

  • Ongoing snow removal on key tracks.
  • Additional staffing for emergency response.
  • Public communication via social media and website.

Conclusion

The swift restoration of Metro, Regional Rail, and bus services demonstrates SEPTA‘s commitment to keeping Philadelphia moving. Riders are advised to stay informed and plan ahead as the agency works to fully recover from the weekend storm.

This article was originally reported by Daniel J. Whitman for News Of Philadelphia.

Author

  • I’m Daniel J. Whitman, a weather and environmental journalist based in Philadelphia. I

    Daniel J. Whitman is a city government reporter for News of Philadelphia, covering budgets, council legislation, and the everyday impacts of policy decisions. A Temple journalism grad, he’s known for data-driven investigations that turn spreadsheets into accountability reporting.

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