SEPTA to save $4 million yearly in rail energy costs
Entered into a three-year contract with PPL EnergyPlus for the power supply to accommodate the electric generation requirements for its Broad Street Line subway, high-speed and trolley lines. These operations require approximately 400,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

Photo courtesy Mtruch via Wikimedia Commons

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) entered into a three-year contract with PPL EnergyPlus (PPL EP), effective December 2013, for the power supply to serve SEPTA's electric generation requirements.
The contract includes propulsion power for the Broad Street Line subway, the Market-Frankford Line subway/elevated, the Norristown High Speed Line, the Media and Sharon Hill Trolley lines (routes 101 and 102), all six of SEPTA's City Division trolley routes, and the portion of SEPTA's Regional Rail serviced by the Wayne Junction Power Substation.
These operations require approximately 400,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year. With the assistance of SEPTA's energy consultant, SourceOne, SEPTA successfully developed a comprehensive strategy for the competitive purchase and management of utility expenses.
In its most recent electricity procurement, SEPTA achieved savings through a competitive procurement process that began with an initial review and vetting of all licensed electricity suppliers in Pennsylvania. Through this process, SEPTA anticipates a reduction in electricity costs of approximately $4 million annually.
"This collaboration with SourceOne has yielded significant savings for taxpayers, and supports our primary goals in providing the most efficient and cost-effective services to our customers," said Richard Burnfield, SEPTA's chief financial officer. "Leveraging an energy procurement strategy has been a critical part of our efforts to both save money and better serve the communities and the passengers who rely on us for transportation."
This recent purchase continues SEPTA's aggressive energy procurement strategy working with SourceOne.
More Rail

New York MTA Leverages Zoning Program to Advance Station Accessibility
Accessibility enhancements at Nevins St Station will be financed through a development agreement tied to the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility initiative.
Read More →
Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
Read More →
DOT: Brightline Corridor Incidents Fall 30% Following Federal Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements funded through a $25 million federal investment are credited with reducing trespassing and train-vehicle collisions along the Brightline Florida corridor.
Read More →
D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
Read More →
Southern California's Metrolink Debuts Contactless Fare Payment Pilot
Customers traveling between Redlands and Los Angeles can now tap their preferred payment method, including a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or wearable device, at station validators before boarding and again while exiting.
Read More →
California's BART Approves FY27 Budget While Maintaining Service Levels
The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, a period when pandemic emergency funds run out, the District faces a structural deficit of $375 million, and a regional transit funding measure may appear on the November ballot.
Read More →
Penn Station Transformation Advances with Design Unveiling
The historic redesign will transform the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere from the tracks to the street level, creating a more efficient, cleaner, and functional experience for more than 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors.
Read More →
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Advances into Major Construction Stage
New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined leadership from the MTA, elected officials, and Harlem community leaders to break ground on the major construction stage of the transformative Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
Read More →
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →