As drafted, SEPTA’s budget would hit transit riders hard with deep service cuts that raise questions about the long-term survival of the system. Under the proposal, 32 bus routes spread across Philadelphia and the four suburban counties would get the ax,

SEPTA riders and state and local officials gathered at City Hall to protest the potential service cuts and demand a permanent yearly funding increase.

SEPTA unveiled a budget proposal on Thursday that it says would include a reduction to nearly half of its service.