Today, facing a massive funding shortfall, SEPTA adopted a budget that will cut nearly half of its transit service and hike fare rates beginning in August. In response, Evergreen Action Senior Transportation Policy Lead Liya Rechtman released the following statement:

“As working-class people struggle under the weight of a nationwide affordability crisis, these devastating service cuts and fare hikes risk derailing their lives. Thousands of Philadelphia students, seniors, and families rely on public transportation to get to school, access medical care, and commute to work.

“If the General Assembly doesn’t adopt Governor Shapiro’s transit funding budget package, communities across the Commonwealth will face the same dire consequences. Lawmakers have a choice: protect the lifelines that keep our economy running, or let public transit collapse. This is a crisis that demands real leadership. If they fail to deliver, it’s vulnerable Pennsylvanians who will be left stranded.”

Last week, ahead of the House’s passage of key elements of Governor Josh Shapiro’s initial funding proposal, 22 organizations sent a letter to Speaker Joanna McClinton and House Democrats urging them to prioritize fully funding the state’s public transit systems in upcoming budget negotiations. Advocates called for dedicated funding to prevent service cuts and rate hikes to keep transit affordable and accessible in every county.

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