A judge granted a temporary injunction on Aug. 29, saying SEPTA cannot move forward with further cuts to its system, including the Regional Rail cuts slated to start on Tuesday and fare hikes that were set to go into effect on Monday.

However, this does not mean that SEPTA will have to reverse the cuts that were already in place, which began on Aug. 24. The initial first phase of cuts to bus, trolley and subway lines will remain in effect for now. 

Attorney George Bochetto, who represents a group of citizens in the case, called this ruling a win. While SEPTA said they're happy for their Regional Rail customers, they also had concerns about turning around their system to prevent the Regional Rail cuts by Tuesday. The transit agency previously said that they'd need around 10 days to reverse the service cuts and that the Regional Rail process had already begun. 

SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer said the transit authority will do their best to comply.

"The judge wants us to keep service at the levels that we're running today – that's going to take a lot of effort," Sauer said on Aug. 29. "We know we needed 10 days to turn this around, so we're going to take a look and see how best we can comply with that order."

Over Labor Day weekend, a SEPTA spokesperson explained how the transit agency will comply with the court's order regarding fares, Regional Rail, buses and metro. 

• Fares: The 21.5% fare increase, scheduled to begin on Monday, Sept. 1, has been put on hold. All fares will remain at current prices until further notice. Effective Sunday, Aug. 31, customers can purchase September weekly and monthly passes at pre-fare increase prices.
• Regional Rail: The 20% service cut scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2, has been put on hold. Service on Tuesday will follow the same schedules that were in effect last week. 

• Buses and metro: The 20% service cut that went into effect on Aug. 24 will remain in place. Also on Tuesday, SEPTA will restore select bus routes to help students commute to school.

Due to the last-minute changes following the temporary injunction, the transit agency said that real-time schedules on SEPTA's website, app and other third-party apps may not be immediately available. Riders should refer to the June 15 schedules posted on SEPTA's website for the most accurate times. 

"[The judge] said, and made it crystal clear she's heard more than enough evidence to grant the relief that the plaintiffs have requested today, and we're delighted that she did so, and we couldn't be happier for the citizens of Philadelphia," Bochetto said on Aug. 29. 

Since this is a temporary injunction, the case isn't closed, just yet. SEPTA said they will present additional testimony when they're back in court on Thursday. Bochetto said that's when he'll seek to have the cuts already in place restored.