House Transportation Committee meets in Luzerne County to discuss transportation’s impact on PA

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    September 9, 2024 | 3:06 PM

 The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee met at the Luzerne County Transportation Authority to hear from experts on Pennsylvania's transportation funding needs, according to committee Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila. 

“We saw a real-life example in the LCTA: investing wisely in our transit systems cuts back on overall operating costs, providing less financial burden to the taxpayers and people who rely on public transportation daily,” Neilson said. “As state lawmakers, we have a responsibility to serve the people of Pennsylvania, and it’s clear that investing in our public transit system would be a great service to everyone in the commonwealth.”

Bob Fiume, executive director of LCTA and vice-chair of the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, spoke to the committee on the significant impact that public transit has on all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.

“We connect people to their jobs, educational opportunities, and lots of important services,” Fiume said. “This includes access to medical care, nutrition access for seniors, access to jobs, and continued independence for transit-dependent populations.”

Fiume described how the completion of LCTA’s new building, which serves as administrative offices, vehicle storage, and a maintenance facility, is crucial to the authority. “This new building now houses our administrative offices, our vehicles, a Compressed Natural Gas fueling station for our buses, a fueling station for our vans, and a maintenance garage. At long last, all our operations are housed under one roof,” Fiume explained.

He also affirmed the importance of smart investments to reduce overall operating costs and how the savings provide unique opportunities to pass these along to riders.

“It is equally important today to recognize that transit is at a crossroads, and without additional state investment, there are many looming, unintended consequences. That is why the governor's proposed funding increase is so important for the continued delivery of transit statewide,” Fiume said.

The next Moving Forward by Investing in Roads, Bridges and Transits meeting will be held in Pittsburgh before the committee also hears from transit systems and residents in Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania.