Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro met with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) leadership and riders in Philadelphia to highlight how public transit serves as a lifeline for Pennsylvanians and fuels the Commonwealth’s economy. He again called on the state Senate to pass critical recurring revenue for SEPTA and other transit agencies so Pennsylvanians can get to work, students can get to school, and the economy can keep growing.
At the same time, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis met with Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) to underscore the urgent need for more funding to keep mass transit running in Western Pennsylvania. Both SEPTA and PRT have warned of deep service cuts and fare hikes if the Senate fails to act.
For two years in a row, Governor Shapiro has proposed the first major increase in state support for transit in over a decade. His current budget proposal includes $292 million in new mass transit funding, growing to $1.5 billion over five years — with investments reaching 52 systems statewide, from major metro networks to rural shared-ride programs that provide 2.6 million trips each year for seniors. The Governor has delivered over $380 million in new funding for roads and bridges, improving over 12,000 miles of roads and leading the nation in repairing poor-condition bridges.
Mass transit supports more than 39,000 jobs and drives $5.4 billion in economic activity annually. Last year, when the General Assembly failed to act, Governor Shapiro secured $80 million for transit in the FY2024-25 budget and transferred $153 million in federal highway capital funds to SEPTA to prevent immediate service cuts and a planned 21 percent fare increase.
Nearly one million Pennsylvanians rely on mass transit every day — and the Governor’s proposal would invest in 52 systems serving cities, suburbs, and rural communities alike. Pennsylvanians support the Governor’s plan — highlighting how critical mass transit is to our economy, workforce, and quality of life.
See what people are saying about the urgent need for the state Senate to act and deliver critical funding for mass transit:
Governor Josh Shapiro: “Every day, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians rely on SEPTA to get to work, take their kids to school, and keep their lives moving. I’ve been one of those riders, and I know firsthand how important it is that our buses, subways, and trains are there when people need them. This isn’t just a Philadelphia issue or a Pittsburgh issue — it’s a Pennsylvania issue. It’s about that mom trying to get home to her child, that student trying to get to class, and that bus driver working hard to provide for their family. We need long-term, recurring funding for SEPTA and for every transit agency in our Commonwealth — and the time to act is right now.”
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis: "I’m proud to be here as the son of a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus operator — who, today, is out driving a bus to help folks get where they need to go. We’re here with a single message: it’s time for Senate Republicans to end their vacation, come back to Harrisburg, and do the work to fund mass transit — not just here in Pittsburgh, but all across our great Commonwealth. The House of Representatives, led by Speaker McClinton and Leader Bradford, has taken up mass transit funding measures several times — four or five by my count — and, as we speak, the House will be convening within the hour to pass yet another transportation funding plan. It’s time for Senate Republicans to come back to Harrisburg, do the job they were elected to do, and keep Pennsylvania moving."
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer: “We’re just days away from having to move forward with across-the-board service cuts that will impact all SEPTA customers and every community we serve. This will make it harder for people to get to work, school, doctor’s appointments — anywhere they need to go. Tens of thousands will no longer see SEPTA as a viable option, and many will drive instead, adding to congestion on our roads. Everyone will feel this. We do not want to make these devastating changes, but without a funding solution, we’ll have to move ahead with a 20 percent service cut on August 24 and a 45 percent cut this fiscal year. SEPTA has already saved more than $30 million in the last eight months, lowered our budget deficit, and embraced the accountability measures the legislature is considering. At the same time, ridership is growing — up 13 percent last year, with subway ridership up 15 percent thanks to historic reductions in crime. If we get the support we need to avoid these cuts, we’re ready to move quickly to enhance service across the system.”
Autumn Fingerhood, a SEPTA rider: “I’m a single mother of two, and my 15-year-old daughter is excited to start 10th grade on August 25 — just one day after these cuts will take effect if SEPTA doesn’t get its funding. Like hundreds of thousands of families in the Philadelphia region, we rely on SEPTA. My daughter takes the bus to school, to her summer job, to after-school activities like her vocal class, and she’ll be depending on it for a part-time job starting this fall. If her bus route stops running later this month, it will upend her education, her job opportunities, and our daily lives. I'm a single mom who works hard every single day to support my children. I do not have others to rely on — I rely on SEPTA, and for me, SEPTA has been very reliable.”
Pittsburgh Regional Transit CEO Katherine Kellerman: "Forty to fifty percent of buses on this busway would not run as of February next year, if we don't have sustainable, long-term funding.”
Senator Jay Costa: “Earlier today, I was proud to join fellow leaders and elected officials to call for transit funding that will benefit all 67 counties across PA. Senate Democrats have 23 yes-votes ready to go on the Governor’s proposal, which has passed the House four times. Let’s get this done.”
See what people are reading and watching about the urgent need for the state Senate to act and deliver critical funding for mass transit:
City & State PA: Gov. Josh Shapiro hammers home need for public transit funding in state budget
DelCo Times: Shapiro again pushes for mass transit funding
WHYY: Shapiro urges action from state lawmakers just days before SEPTA deadline
Metro Philadelphia: ‘Time to act is now’ on SEPTA funding, Shapiro says
WFMZ: Governor Shapiro urges lawmakers to make funding available for SEPTA
6abc: Governor Josh Shapiro, Septa Leaders and riders urge lawmakers to act on latest transit bill
Fox 43: Budget and mass transit deadlock continues as Pa. House holds rare Sunday session
KDKA: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis stops in Pittsburgh to stress importance of transportation spending bill
WGAL: Pressure mounts on legislature over transit funding as impasse continues
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