A September 4 court order from a Philadelphia judge has stopped SEPTA from implementing a planned 20 percent cut to Regional Rail service but is allowing the agency to go ahead with a 21.5 percent fare hike. This is the latest development in the ongoing financial crisis hitting SEPTA and other public transit agencies across Pennsylvania.
As reported in late August, the funding crisis could lead to layoffs at regional rail at SEPTA, and would create a ripple effect leading to service reductions at Amtrak.
There are 53 mass transit agencies in Philadelphia that depend on funding from the state government. However, foot-dragging by politicians in the state senate have left these agencies in the lurch. Pennsylvania’s upper chamber is two months behind in passing a constitutionally mandated budget, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
BLET members who live in Pennsylvania are needed to put pressure on the state senators. All Pennsylvania BLET members, family, and friends are urged to, to demand positive action in support of the state’s mass transit systems. Click here to make your voice heard.