Gov. Josh Shapiro says he'll divert more than $150 million in federal highway funding to help Philadelphia’s mass transit system avoid near-term service cutbacks and delay fare increases.

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Friday that Pennsylvania is redirecting or "flexing" $153 million in federal highway money to SEPTA, enough to cover its deficit.

Shapiro said the $153 million can help SEPTA maintain services and avoid steeper fare increases until he can come to an agreement on a wider transportation funding deal with state lawmakers.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said Friday that he will divert more than $150 million in federal highway funding to provide a one-time injection of cash into Philadelphia’s mass transit system to help it avoid near-term service cutbacks and delay fare increases.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s announcement came less than two weeks before SEPTA planned to follow through on dramatic fare hikes.