Philadelphia’s struggling transit system will be able to delay a 30 percent fare raise, but the temporary fix won't do nearly enough to close its budget gap.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will receive $153 million in federal highway funding to avoid service cuts and fare hikes, reports Stephen Caruso in Spotlight PA.
“Just like we prepare and maintain our roads and bridges in those rural and in those suburban communities, I think we owe it to the good people of Pennsylvania who take mass transit to be there for them and their families as well,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro when making the announcement.
The temporary solution will allow the agency to delay a proposed 30 percent fare hike, but falls short of SEPTA’s $240 million budget deficit. “Board Chair Ken Lawrence warned of more service cuts that would begin on July 1, 2025, unless SEPTA secures more funding.” The agency faces an existential crisis with no new long-term funding source and still plans to eliminate its Key card discount starting on December 1.
FULL STORY: Shapiro will give SEPTA $153M in federal funding to avoid cuts and fare hikes
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