PA House Transportation Committee meets in Philadelphia to discuss transportation needs

Philadelphia House Delegation    September 23, 2024 | 12:03 PM

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

“During this informational tour, we heard experts from all over the transportation sector echo the same sentiment: this is a critical time for the vital industries that maintain Pennsylvania’s ever evolving transportation infrastructure,” Neilson said. “These experts, many from the various transit agencies that are a true economic engine for the commonwealth, explained that while they are grateful for the funding received from the 2024-2025 budget, the deficits they face will have a significant impact on our state’s economic growth and more importantly, it would limit personal mobility for thousands of Pennsylvanians.”

“The final state budget that passed in July, did not include the governor's full transit funding proposal. It provided a one-time investment of $80.5 million to public transportation agencies across the state, including $46 million for SEPTA. This is less than one-fourth of the needed funding SEPTA originally requested, and less than one-third of the $161 million that Governor Shapiro's proposal would generate,” Kenneth Lawrence Jr., board chair of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, said at the hearing.

“While SEPTA is grateful for this temporary relief, our recurring structural deficit can only be addressed through enactment of a permanent transit funding solution. Across the board service reductions of 20% and fare increases of more than 30% would be required, adding barriers to mobility for those who need SEPTA most. On top of the current fare proposal, cash fares, which are currently $2.50, would increase to at least $3 per ride, and TransPasses, currently $96, would rise to $120 per month,” Lawrence added.

Michael Anderson, legislative advocate for the Arc of Philadelphia, a human rights group that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities, offered his perspective on the effect that service cuts and fare increases would have on people who are disabled in Pennsylvania.

“People with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty and to be un- or underemployed compared to their non-disabled peers. I do appreciate how ridesharing like Uber and Lyft have accessible vehicles for people who use wheelchairs. But these private services come with a financial burden, emphasizing the value and importance of public transportation for people with disabilities. Accessible transit translates to productive citizens,” Anderson explained.

“Please, do not let ableism persist in our transportation system,” said Anderson, appealing to the committee.