CROYDON, PA – Just before jumping on a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) regional rail train to downtown Philadelphia, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis today called for the state Senate to act now to boost funding for Pennsylvania’s 52 transit systems and emphasized that transit is key to the Commonwealth’s economic success.
“Every single dollar invested in transit generates $5 dollars in economic activity,” said Davis. “We have big events coming in 2026 – America’s 250th birthday, the World Cup and the All-Star Game – that are going to be big revenue generators, but we need public transit to get all of those visitors where they need to go. The state House is taking action to provide more funding for mass transit. Now it’s time for my colleagues in the Senate to act.”
Hours before the state House approved transit funding legislation by a bipartisan vote, Davis joined SEPTA leaders, transit workers and local officials at a news conference at a SEPTA station in Bucks County to continue the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s push for more transit funding. The legislation passed today also includes additional funding for road and bridge repairs across the Commonwealth. The state House has voted multiple times to support mass transit – and now it’s up to the Senate to act.
“Full funding for SEPTA and other mass transit is critical for our communities and our economy,” said state Sen. Steve Santarsiero. “Those of us who were in the legislature back in 2013 and voted for Act 89 did so because we knew it was an important investment in infrastructure and mass transit. Now, 12 years later, we see what happens if we don’t continue to maintain those investments. I thank Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis’ commitment to funding mass transit in this year’s budget and applaud my colleagues in the House for voting today to fund our transit agencies. I call on our Republican leadership in the Senate to do the right thing and bring the bill up for a vote.”
The Shapiro-Davis 2025–26 budget proposal includes $292 million in new mass transit funding next year, the first significant increase in state support for mass transit in more than a decade. This investment will support Pennsylvania’s 52 transit systems, including:
- SEPTA, which provides nearly a quarter billion rides annually;
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), which has invested $2 billion across Pennsylvania in the past five years; and
- Shared ride services across the Commonwealth.
“SEPTA service is critical to our region and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, enabling unparalleled economic activity,” said SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. “SEPTA is one of the most efficient transit agencies in the country, and we have worked hard as an Authority to reduce expenses, generate new revenue and improve efficiencies. We are grateful to Lieutenant Governor Davis’ efforts on behalf of public transportation and look forward to working with the Shapiro administration and all members of the General Assembly to ensure that SEPTA and transit agencies in every Pennsylvania county can continue to deliver their vital service.”
Mass transit across the Commonwealth supports more than 39,000 jobs and drives $5.4 billion in economic activity each year, according to the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association. Without action from the state Senate, mass transit agencies like SEPTA will be forced to shutter service and raise fares for Pennsylvanians.
In April Davis rode along with his father, Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus operator Ankarie Davis, to highlight how important transit is for the one million Pennsylvanians that rely on it every day.