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Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces Over $13 Million Investment to Upgrade Commuter Railcars at SEPTA Maintenance Facility

Thursday, September 3, 2026
America Is Building Again Delivered By President Trump and Secretary Duffy

Investment builds on USDOT’s oversight of SEPTA and successful mechanical inspections to prevent electrical fires on outdated Silverliner IV vehicles

PHILADELPHIA, PA – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Department is investing $13.3 million to upgrade a twin railcar within Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)’s Silverliner IV commuter fleet. By replacing 50-year-old vehicles with new, modern railcars, riders will see fewer delays, the safety of the system will be enhanced, and the transit agency will be able to reduce expensive maintenance costs.

THEN: These investments come nearly a year after the Department convened Governor Shapiro, Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, SEPTA leadership, and officials from three DOT agencies (Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) to discuss SETPA's numerous operational challenges, including five instances where commuter services caught fire or experienced emergencies related to thermal incidents.

NOW: To get the system back on track, USDOT deployed 30 rail inspectors to help inspect 223 of Silverliver IV cars and replace their thermal sensors. Since completing the massive inspection overhaul, there have been no additional fires.

“Thanks to President Trump, a transit system millions of Pennsylvanians rely on is turning the corner. First, our oversight ensured the commonwealth finally took accountability for years of mismanagement and invested the resources necessary to address SEPTA’s long-term issues. Second, our career safety inspectors moved heaven and earth to review and fix 223 Silver IV cars,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Now, we’re doubling down – investing millions of dollars to help SEPTA transition to cleaner, safer, and more efficient train cars that customers will love. It’s been a long road, but I want to thank SEPTA leadership as well as Senator McCormick and Senator Fetterman for partnering with us on this critical effort as we work to usher in a Golden Age of Rail.”

“Pennsylvanians deserve a SEPTA that’s safe and reliable,” said Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick. “I’m grateful to President Trump and Secretary Duffy for working with me and Senator Fetterman to put Pennsylvania first and help deliver this commitment to replace SEPTA’s aging railcars. This is a big win for commuters and families across southeastern Pennsylvania.”

Additional Information:

Under President Trump and Secretary Duffy, USDOT has been invested in helping SEPTA turn their transit system around beginning last year when the system faced both financial and safety crises.

  • In October 2025, Secretary Duffy called out Governor Josh Shapiro for his mismanagement of a series of thermal events—including onboard fires — on SEPTA’s commuter rail vehicles.
  • In the same month, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued an Emergency Order requiring SEPTA to take immediate, sweeping action following recent fires on SEPTA passenger rail cars. 
    • FRA directed SEPTA to identify the root causes, circumstances, personnel, funding, or other conditions that have caused the fires and thermal incidents to occur in this period and implement that plan. 
    • FRA has also increased the number of rail safety inspectors at SEPTA facilities and on SEPTA equipment to 30 to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
  • In November 2025, FTA also issued Special Directives to both PennDOT and SEPTA to require them to remedy safety and oversight concerns associated with SEPTA’s overhead catenary system. 
  • Following USDOT’s oversight, Governor Shapiro announced nearly $108 million to address several upgrades, including improvements to the trolley tunnel’s overhead catenary wires, the purchase of advanced inspection technology, and enhancements to SEPTA’s Control Center.
    • Among other improvements, SEPTA was required to prepare and submit an emergency mechanical inspection schedule of its Silverliner IV fleet. As a result, Governor Shapiro also allotted $112 million in funding to be used for electrical system upgrades, to overhaul propulsion motors, and other improvements for both the Silverliner IV and newer Silverliner V train cars.

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