Philadelphia City Council members are advocating for more funding for SEPTA, which is currently facing a $240 million budget deficit. Despite receiving about $50 million in additional funding in this year’s Pennsylvania budget, SEPTA believes that this amount falls short of what is needed to sustain the transit system. Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged that the funding was a temporary fix until a permanent solution could be determined by state legislators, who are set to reconvene this month for the new legislative session.
In response to the budget shortfall, SEPTA has implemented various measures to generate more revenue and reduce expenses. Starting on September 23, SEPTA will reinstate parking fees at its station lots and is considering ending discounts for riders using SEPTA Key cards and other contactless payment methods. Additionally, the agency has imposed a hiring freeze, ceased non-essential employee travel, and stopped in-person ticket sales at certain Regional Rail stations.
However, SEPTA’s board chair, Kenneth Lawrence Jr., emphasized the need for full and long-term funding during a recent press conference with City Council members. Council President Kenyatta Johnson, along with other councilmembers, sent a letter to Governor Shapiro requesting additional state funding to bridge the gap. Shapiro’s proposal includes $161 million for SEPTA as part of a $282 million plan for public transit in Pennsylvania.
Lawrence highlighted the importance of a permanent funding solution to ensure SEPTA’s sustainability in the Delaware Valley region. The proposal to eliminate discounts for SEPTA Key card users would raise fares from $2 to $2.50, providing the transit agency with an estimated $14.4 million in extra revenue. Public hearings on this proposal are scheduled for next month.
When asked if increased state funding could prevent the fare discount elimination, Lawrence noted that SEPTA has not raised prices since 2016. While he recognized the need to potentially adjust fares, he indicated that any changes would not be contingent on additional funding from Harrisburg. It is clear that action is needed to secure the long-term financial stability of SEPTA and ensure continued service for the community.