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Can Philadelphia Save Its Transit System Before August?
Description
Philadelphia's public transit agency, SEPTA, faces devastating 45% budget cuts if Pennsylvania doesn't pass adequate funding, threatening to eliminate 50 bus routes, end rail service at 9 pm, and cancel five suburban rail lines. We are joined by Steve, a Transit advocate from How We Get Around, to discuss the crisis and ongoing fight to save the system.
• SEPTA's funding crisis stems from Act 89's reduction from $450 million to $50 million for public transit statewide
• COVID relief funds temporarily kept service running, but are now depleted
• Proposed cuts would eliminate 50 bus routes and end all rail service at 9 pm
• Five of thirteen suburban rail lines would be canceled entirely, including the busy Paoli-Thorndale line
• Pennsylvania Senate remains the primary obstacle to passing transit funding
• Several Republican senators from transit-served areas have emerged as advocates
• State budget negotiations continue, but without a clear timeline for resolution
• Advocacy groups, including Save the Train, Transit for All PA, and Transit Forward Philadelphia are mobilizing public pressure
• New SEPTA GM Charles Sauer, who started as a trolley operator, brings operational experience to leadership
• Advocates stress the importance of creating permanent funding solutions beyond the current crisis
Contact your Pennsylvania state representatives and senators today to support public transit funding. Visit transitforallpa.org to learn how to get involved.