Calls to increase SEPTA funding continue ahead of public hearings

Philadelphia Democrats and public transit advocates made their “Fund Mass Transit” calls loud and clear Monday morning, stressing the need for the General Assembly to fund the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and other mass transit systems across Pennsylvania. 

Touching on the economic benefits of public transit and the importance of transit, officials said the entire commonwealth – and its roads and traffic – would be impacted by cuts to transit systems. 

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, kicking off the press conference Monday morning, said it would be “fiscally irresponsible” for the legislature to allow SEPTA to remain underfunded relative to other major cities’ agencies. 

“We are the region that produces 40% of the revenue in this commonwealth, and the only way that we can produce it is by SEPTA moving people,” Cephas, a Philadelphia Democrat, said. “But again, this is not just a SEPTA thing … This is a Pennsylvania thing that we have to keep people moving – and the way we do that is by funding mass transit.”

The press conference comes as the transit agency begins holding public hearings on its operating budget as well as projected fare increases and service reductions. 

“SEPTA is looking at cutting over 50 bus routes and five train routes while limiting hours and distances across dozens more routes … Our workers and riders cannot abide by this,” Connor Descheemaker, statewide campaign manager for the nonprofit advocacy organization Transit for All PA, said Monday, comparing SEPTA’s wide-reaching network to the I-95 bridge collapse in Philadelphia in 2023 and the collaborative response and repair process. 

“It was national news and everybody at every level of government agreed that a fix was needed immediately … SEPTA serves nearly four times as many people (as the I-95 bridge) per day.”

It also comes less than a month after Harrisburg lawmakers are pitching differing funding plans for SEPTA and public transit across the commonwealth. 

Last month, Democratic legislators introduced the “Transit for All PA Funding Package,” a set of bills that would provide “dedicated, reliable money” for transit systems across the commonwealth at a time when several of its largest regional systems face dire financial straits.

Days before, Republican House leader Jesse Topper announced a plan to allow a public-private partnership to help SEPTA fill its fiscal shortfall. 

Topper’s plan would partner the Philadelphia region’s transit agency with a private bus provider in a way he said would lessen the burden on the system. 

“My legislation will offload, at a minimum, SEPTA’s busing operations to take the burden and expense of this function out of SEPTA’s budget and place it within the operation of a private company that can bring the skill and expertise needed to provide high-quality service at a lower price,” Topper said.

Last month, State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman of Indiana County said he recognized the importance of transit systems but that “taxpayers must have assurances their tax dollars are being used effectively.”

“Transit systems play an important role in our statewide economy, and their services are vital to many who live and work in certain regions of our commonwealth,” Pittman said, adding that “a key component of this discussion is also addressing the transportation infrastructure needs throughout Pennsylvania, especially the roads and bridges serving residents in rural and suburban areas.”

The state budget, which needs to be passed by the June 30 fiscal deadline, would need to provide additional funds to SEPTA, whose budget proposal assumes no additional contributions.  

The stakes are high for all sides, especially SEPTA riders. Without the additional funding, they face bus route service cuts and the ending of all special services, such as express lines to the sports complex. There would be a 21.5% fare increase in September, followed by cuts to an additional 25% of routes, a 9 p.m. curfew, and the loss of five regional rails in January 2026.