(The following story by Paul Nussbaum appeared on the Philadelphia Inquirer website on May 25.)
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia’s representatives on the SEPTA board vetoed the transit agency’s planned fare hike yesterday, delaying approval of the increase for at least a month.
The SEPTA board will vote again on the fare-hike plan next month. It is expected to override the city’s veto with a three-fourths majority of the 15-member board. If that happens, fares would rise moderately for bus, subway and Regional Rail riders on July 1, with a threat of even bigger increases and service cuts in September if more state money doesn’t arrive.
Gov. Rendell, in an unprecedented appearance before the board at SEPTA’s headquarters at 12th and Market Streets in Center City, made an impassioned plea for SEPTA board members to lobby state legislators to approve his plan – or any plan – to provide more dedicated funding for mass transit.
Rendell urged the SEPTA board not to accept less than the $700 million a year more that he said is needed for transit agencies across the state.
“Don’t settle or you’re blowing our best opportunity to solve this issue,” he said. “Don’t let them buy you off for 12 pieces of silver.”
The city representatives on the board, Christian DiCicco and Jettie Newkirk, used their veto power because, they said, the proposed fare hikes would drive away occasional riders and tourists and would unfairly burden bus and subway riders and schoolchildren.
“Unfortunately, all the law gives us is a largely symbolic veto,” Newkirk said.
“This gives the legislature 30 more days to come up with a solution,” DiCicco said.
Under the modified “Plan A” proposal that the SEPTA board will reconsider next month, the average fare increase would be 11 percent. The base cash fare would remain at $2 and tokens at $1.30 for bus and subway riders. But the 60-cent paper transfers would be discontinued, meaning riders wanting to transfer would have to buy an additional token or use a daily, weekly or monthly pass. The cost of passes would rise by about 11 percent.
For Regional Rail passengers, the new fares would mean an increase in peak and off-peak ticket prices. For Zone 3, the most popular, a one-way peak ticket would cost $5, up from the current $4.50, while an off-peak ticket will cost $4.25, up from the current $3.75. And riders who buy tickets aboard trains would pay a surcharge, even if there are no ticket sales at their stations.
SEPTA also is expected to approve its more draconian “Plan B,” which board chairman Pasquale “Pat” Deon said would take effect by the end of the summer if the state legislature does not provide about $100 million more for the transit agency. That plan would increase fares an average of 24 percent above current levels, cut service by 20 percent, and eliminate about 1,000 jobs.
“We have to have a budget in place,” Deon said, acknowledging that SEPTA did not want to implement Plan B. “We have to be able to put the authority into position to continue to operate.”
Passenger and consumer groups urged the SEPTA board not to implement Plan B, even temporarily. And they objected to the provision in Plan A to get rid of transfers.
“We will be continuing our efforts in support of transit funding, but we want to make clear that it doesn’t help that SEPTA is pushing through this radical fare restructuring come hell or high water,” said Anthony DeSantis, president of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers. “Just at the time you need the riding public to support you in your push for funding, you are going to punish them with these changes.”
Lance Haver, the Philadelphia consumer advocate, called the elimination of transfers “unconscionable.” “Don’t put the heaviest burden on schoolchildren,” Haver told the board.
The board is scheduled to meet again on June 28.