PHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed a $282.8 million annual increase in public transit funding — the first increase in state funding in more than a decade — to prevent service cuts or fare increases on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
The 1.75% increase in statewide funding announced Sunday, reported by WHYY, follows the earlier signing of a 2024 state budget that left SEPTA facing a $240 million shortfall as of July, when pandemic funding runs out. SEPTA CEO Leslie Richards said last week that could lead to 20% cuts in service and 30% fare increases.
“SEPTA has presented plans to address safety and cleanliness throughout their system, and county officials have entertained a willingness to step up to the plate and increase their support,” Shapiro said in a statement. “As a result, my Administration is prepared to make a major investment in SEPTA.”
Richards, in a statement, thanked Shapiro for constructing “this strong funding proposal to address our most pressing needs and enable SEPTA to continue serving our communities. … In these discussions, the Governor has also made clear his expectations that we at SEPTA step up to address our community’s serious concerns about cleanliness and safety. We are committed to addressing these concerns so that all SEPTA riders can feel safe as they travel where they need to go.”
SEPTA announced last week it would close ticket offices at 15 Regional Rail stations as of this Friday, Feb. 2, citing other purchase options that have reduced the need for in-person sales. A list of the offices affected is available here.
Shapiro is from Philly so this is no surprise. What will be interesting is the General Assembly where the Dems enjoy a one vote majority and the non-urban ones have to be careful of favoring Philly too much. The Senate is still under Rep control so they might have something to say also. It’s possible Shapiro might have to come up with funding for other areas of the state to get the Septa funding.