What to Know
SEPTA and a union representing about 4,700 workers reached a five-year deal.
Service is expected to be back to normal in time for Election Day.
Both sides announced the deal early Monday.
After nearly a week of negotiations and transportation woes for commuters across the city, SEPTA and a union representing about 4,700 workers reached a tentative agreement Monday on a five-ear contract that brings a halt to the work stoppage that caused commuting woes around Philadelphia. Despite the deal, it will take until Tuesday for service to return to normal.
SEPTA chairman Pat Deon and TWU president Willie Brown made a joint announcement of the deal from the union hall before daybreak Monday. SEPTA Strike Ends
"We are pleased this morning to announce a tentative agreement with TWU Local 234," said Deon.
Though a deal was reached, riders should not expect to immediately hail their normal bus or trolley. Commuters still had to find alternate means of travel Monday morning.
By 9 a.m., Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line (with the exception of the 5th Street Station) subways were operating again, though on a reduced schedule. Limited trolley service was also restored by midmorning as the 11,13, 34 and36 lines were first to get back on track. SEPTA said it usually takes 24 hours to have all its buses, trolleys and subways running after a shutdown.
Service will be phased back in throughout the day with full schedules to be restored by Tuesday, said SEPTA.
"It really does take us 24 hours to bring us back to full service," said SEPTA general manager Jeff Knueppel.
Both sides hailed the deal as being fair to all.
"We believe this agreement is fair to our employees, and to the fare-paying customers and taxpayers who fund SEPTA," said Deon. "It provides for wage increases, pension improvements, and maintains health care coverage levels while addressing rising costs."
The deal still must be ratified by union members and approved by the SEPTA board, said SEPTA.
"We know that the strike has caused a significant hardship for thousands of our riders. We sincerely regret this disruption to transportation throughout the City of Philadelphia and the region," Deon said. "We thank riders for their patience under these extremely challenging circumstances. Negotiators on both sides worked tirelessly to get this agreement done, and we now look forward to the return of normal service." SEPTA Strike Is Over
Deon said that the money to meet the union's demands was already in the agency's 10-year-plan, which includes planned fare increases already.
The union and SEPTA credited lawmakers including Rep. Bob Brady, State Rep. Dwight Evans, Mayor Jim Kenney and others for helping a deal be reached.
When asked why the city had the endear a strike for the two sides to reach a deal, Deon said it's "just a normal course of business." SEPTA Strike Deal Is In Place
SEPTA workers walked out after midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 1, over issues including pension benefits and the amount of time off given to drivers between shifts.
The result was traffic gridlock at morning and evening rush hours; jammed and delayed regional rail service and higher absenteeism at the city's high schools.
"I am thankful that the Transport Workers Union and SEPTA have reached a settlement, and I am very grateful to residents and commuters for their patience over the last six days," said Kenney in a news release. "I also want to personally commend Deputy Mayor Rich Lazer, State Representative Dwight Evans, the Governor's staff and Congressman Brady for working directly with SEPTA's management and TWU during this difficult negotiating period. I look forward to approval of the deal by the full membership of Local 234 and by the SEPTA Board."
Some officials were concerned that the strike could dampen voter turnout if it continued through Election Day.
The city of Philadelphia had filed a motion in state court seeking an injunction to temporarily halt the strike for Election Day so residents can get to the polls to vote.
The court had been expected to hear the city's motion Monday morning.
Democratic city leaders had worried that if the strike continued through Election Day, some voters wouldn't have been able to get to the polls because they will be spending so much time getting to and from work.
Pennsylvania is a battleground state, and the vote in overwhelmingly Democratic Philadelphia is critically important to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton as she battles Republican Donald Trump.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Sunday said he intended to file a legal document in support of an injunction request filed by SEPTA. The transit agency argues the walkout endangers public health and safety as well as the right of residents to vote in Tuesday's general election. The union has accused SEPTA of relying on the courts to end the strike rather than bargaining.
"The strike has been devastating for so many individuals and their families and has created extreme hardships for the city and for businesses," Gov. Wolf said in a statement. "The time for it to end is now."
The walkout is the ninth since 1975 by the city transit union. The last one, in 2009, lasted six days, but some have lasted for weeks.
SEPTA provides rides for nearly 60,000 public, private and charter school students.