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

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    September 9, 2024 | 3:32 PM

The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee met in Reading last week to hear from experts on Pennsylvania's transportation funding needs, according to committee Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila. 

“We can properly fund public transportation agencies in all 67 counties without raising taxes,” Neilson said. “We must act now because this isn’t just a SEPTA problem or a Philadelphia problem. This is a statewide problem that affects rural and urban communities.”

The committee heard testimony from Bryan Barbin, the deputy secretary of Taxation for the PA Department of Revenue; he highlighted the impact of Pennsylvania’s mass transit infrastructure on the state’s economy.

“In 2022, the Berks County economy was estimated to generate $23.8 billion in gross domestic product while Philadelphia County, the largest in Pennsylvania, generated $123 billion in gross domestic product,” Barbin said.

Barbin also went into great detail about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s state budget proposal regarding public transit, explaining how investing in public transit will save on road repairs from wear and tear and lead to less overall cost in the long term.

“A strong investment in mass transit not only promises to save on overall operating costs but also champions a significant environmental victory. By enhancing public transportation, we can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% per trip compared to driving, making every dollar spent a step toward a more sustainable and efficient future."

Greg Downing, the executive director of South Central Transit Authority, spoke of the number of seniors and people with disabilities that rely on special service or shared ride trips.

“We provided nearly 4 million passenger trips across the communities we serve, with over 350,000 of those trips being special service or shared ride trips,” Downing said. “Over 60% of our fixed-route riders have no other transportation options, and more than one-third of them earn less than $25,000 a year.”

“I look forward to returning to legislative session at the end of September and working with my colleagues to provide a long-term solution for the millions of Pennsylvanians that rely on public transit to stay connected to their communities,” Neilson said.