CHESTNUT HILL (WPVI) – – Students are back in class, vacations are over, and for SEPTA, that means peak ridership season is here. Some relief is coming to riders of the Chestnut Hill East line. But, commuters will have to deal with some temporary changes as the service gets back on track and the agency works through delays of a months-long construction project.

“It’s been frustrating,” said Tasha Johnson, of North Philadelphia.

That frustration has only grown since SEPTA cut 20% of its bus, subway, and trolley service last month. On top of that, the Chestnut Hill East Regional Rail has been shut down since June for Bridge repairs.

Starting Monday at 5 a.m., there will be limited service from Chestnut Hill East to Wayne Junction where riders will then have to transfer to trains into Center City.

“It’s a critical infrastructure project, and once complete, it’s a big improvement for riders,” said Andrew Busch, SEPTA Spokesperson.

SEPTA said this schedule should last about a week, with full-service returning next Sunday, September 14th.

“We ran into a couple of minor issues that extended the work,” said Busch.

Meanwhile, the agency is also responding to a court order requiring it to reverse service cuts that took effect August 24th. To make that happen, SEPTA is asking PennDOT for $394 million from the state’s public transit trust fund. If the funding is approved, full service across the system will be restored next Sunday, September 14th, the same day a 21.5% fare increase takes effect.

For commuters like Veronica Love of Chestnut Hill, the relief can’t come soon enough.

“It’s not good, because sometimes I have to wait an hour and a half,” said Veronica Love, of Chestnut Hill.

For direct travel to Center City, riders can continue to use the Route 23 bus or the Chestnut Hill West Line. Another obstacle at the Chestnut Hill East station, only ten parking spaces are open because of the ongoing construction.

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