While most big city transit systems have moved on to electronic passes or paper tickets, Philadelphia's riders are left to deal with tokens and transfer slips until SEPTA's plans for a system upgrade come to fruition.

After eight years of planning to create a SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority) Key system, Philly residents are still waiting to ditch their tokens for the promised future of smart cards and smart phones. The Philadelphia Inquirer scolds the transit system for the long delayed roll-out of what some see as a basic component of a modern transit system.
Getting the new fare system right is the top priority, SEPTA officials say, hence their striving to work out all the bugs before it debuts. That's an appropriate aspiration given the potential for chaos if mass transit doesn't function. After two years of delays and $11 million in cost overruns, they had better get it right.
Delays in the $220 million SEPTA Key project have been blamed on any number of factors, including a lack of funding directed toward SEPTA and the complexity of linking up the various transit systems.
FULL STORY: Token Promises

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

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California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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