As a result, officials said at a news conference that passengers will experience service increases rather than the threat of inconvenient cuts.

Under the 2009 budget, SEPTA will institute 65 service initiatives that will: address issues of overcrowding, expand peak and off-peak services, and extend late-night and weekend services.

Charles Webb, SEPTA chief officer in charge of service planning, said that the initiatives would include extended evening service on bus routes serving Ardmore, Pottstown, and the Montgomery and King of Prussia malls; also, new 24-hour service on Route 37, which runs to Philadelphia International Airport and Harrah's Chester Casino.

Most of the initiatives will take effect in the fall, although some already have begun.

In February, the Market-Frankford Line increased services by 12 percent, expanding peak and midday services. And earlier this week, the Regional Rail Line added six peak trains, resulting in an additional 1,200 seats for the morning commute.

In August, SEPTA will receive 100 recently purchased hybrid buses, to be supplemented by 300 more over the next four years.

SEPTA also will introduce larger buses to reduce overcrowding.

"Route 14, which runs along Roosevelt Boulevard, has buses running every two minutes," Webb said. "You really can't add more service to that."

To avoid cramming riders into buses like sardines in a can, SEPTA will increase capacity by moving from 40-foot buses to 60-foot buses, he said.

The public will be able to voice opinions at upcoming hearings.

"SEPTA welcomes input from the public regarding all elements of the proposed [fiscal year 2009] operating budget," Webb said. SEPTA's fiscal year begins July 1.

For Delaware County residents, a hearing will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the county courthouse in Media. For Philadelphia residents, a hearing will be held at 11 a.m. April 3 at SEPTA headquarters, 1234 Market St.

SEPTA ridership has soared during the last year, with an additional 30,000 daily trips (up 4 percent over last year). Regional Rail ridership is the highest in 25 years, up 13,000 daily trips (a 12 percent rise).

"Ridership is up in spite of the fare increases we had last year," said Joseph M. Casey, SEPTA's new general manager.

This is due, in part, to exorbitant gasoline prices and highway congestion, Casey said.

For Casey, the message to riders is clear: "Get out of the cars and get onto public transit."