In late August, SEPTA planned to move forward with a second round of its so-called “Doomsday” measures: reducing service by 25% and raising fares by 21.5% on September 1. But on August 29, Common Pleas Court Judge Sierra Thomas Street issued a surprising decision. She granted attorney George Bochetto’s emergency motion for a temporary injunction, stopping the cuts and the fare hike from taking effect. 

The move raised eyebrows because it was a reversal of what the judge had previously allowed. Bochetto argued that the planned changes would cause serious harm to riders who rely on public transit for work, school, and daily life. The judge agreed, ruling that SEPTA could not move forward until the matter was fully considered in court.

What stood out is that Bochetto, acting on behalf of concerned riders, took on a role that many felt should have been handled by city leadership. Critics questioned why neither the mayor nor the city solicitor stepped in to challenge SEPTA’s plan, leaving it to a private attorney to bring the case forward.

The decision temporarily shields riders from steep fare increases and major service cuts, though the long-term future of SEPTA’s budget problems remains uncertain. For now, the ruling underscores the importance of judicial oversight in public policy and highlights how individuals outside of government can sometimes succeed in holding powerful institutions accountable.