What’s at Stake over Proposed Increase in Mass Transit Funding in Pa.?

Pennsylvania Transit Agencies Face Deficit Death Spiral at the Expense of Taxpayers

Pennsylvania’s two largest transit systems, SEPTA (Philadelphia region) and PRT (Pittsburgh region), are facing severe fiscal crises due to post-pandemic ridership declines, overreliance on government subsidies, and lack of structural reform.   While temporary state and federal infusions have postponed further service cuts, both agencies are now confronting major budget deficits in FY 2026.  Despite receiving billions in taxpayer subsidies, Penn…

How to catch a glimpse of the Perseid Meteor Shower in Philly, Del., Pa., NJ

SEPTA will begin installing signs throughout the Philadelphia region Thursday morning, notifying customers of bus routes and stops that would be eliminated next month if they fail to prevent the looming “transit death spiral.”   Unless they can bridge a $213 million structural budget deficit, SEPTA plans to cut services and raise fares starting in late August of 2025. The service cuts would include the elimination of 38 bus routes on Aug. 24, 20…

What’s at stake over proposed increase in mass transit funding in Pa.?  • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Riders board a rabbittransit bus in Harrisburg (Capital-Star photo by Ian Karbal)This story was updated at 10:31 a.m. on July 23 to correct a misspelling in the story. Andrew Long has lived in South Philadelphia for the past six years and uses mass transit nearly every single day. “I don’t own a car, so it’s my only way to get to work and get to like appointments and everywhere I need to go to hang out with friends, get home from the bar,” Long …

What’s at stake over proposed increase in mass transit funding in Pa.?

Across the state, mass transit systems are facing budget shortfalls that could impact funding for millions of Pennsylvanians who rely on them in urban, suburban and rural regions.

Schools, transit agencies on high alert as Pa. continues without a finished budget

Key lawmakers say talks are progressing, but privately, Democrats and Republicans are still struggling to agree on how much to spend.

Amid Funding Crisis, SEPTA Cites Improving Rider Satisfaction and Safety Numbers – Metro Philadelphia

By Jack TomczukSEPTA says riders are happier and crime is declining, as transit officials advocate for additional state funding to avoid a plan to eliminate 50 bus routes and five Regional Rail lines, among other cuts.Overall satisfaction with the agency reached 3.5 out of 5 in a survey conducted in the first quarter of this year. The score is the highest since SEPTA began soliciting feedback through the questionnaires two years ago, officials s…