(The Associated Press circulated the following story on May 14.)
PHILADELPHIA — Tyra Hayes’ two-hour commute to work is likely to get even longer.
Hayes relies on public transportation to get from her home in southwest Philadelphia to her job at a Strawbridge’s department store in the suburb of King of Prussia, Pa. But her bus, the No. 123, would disappear as part of SEPTA’s plan to close a $55 million budget deficit.
To cope with major budget deficits, most of the nation’s largest public transportation systems are raising fares, reducing or eliminating services and delaying capital improvement projects.
The industry blames the weak economy, reduced ridership and declining state and local subsidies, as well as increased security outlays as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Amy Coggin of the American Public Transportation Association, an industry group, says it’s costing the industry about $6 billion to tighten security on bus, train and trolley lines, but there has been no additional government funding.
An APTA survey of the largest U.S. transit agencies finds that 90 percent have already raised fares or are considering it. A third are providing less frequent service, and nearly 20 percent have dropped routes.
For information about SEPTA’s budget plan, including proposed fares and route reductions, click here:http://www.septa.org/notices/fy04.html