The Philadelphia-area transit agency is legally tasked with maintaining a balanced budget. Officials hope the state will come to the rescue with additional funding.
A budget adopted by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) cuts the agency’s budget nearly in half. “In all, service will be cut 45% in addition the fare increase, which will bring SEPTA’s base price to $2.90 per ride,” writes Thomas Fitzgeland in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The agency is required by law to maintain a balanced budget. “Meanwhile, legislative leaders say the state budget that could help won’t be finished before the July 1 start of the fiscal year.” A proposed state budget passed by the House in June would give SEPTA about $166 million in the first year of a five-year plan. “The House bill also would set up a bipartisan commission to devise a funding plan that would avoid near-yearly battles that leave transit agencies hanging.”
FULL STORY: SEPTA board approves budget that will slash nearly half its transit service
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