Delaware County, PA – – April 17, 2025 – With 74 days to adopt a fresh state budget and ongoing negotiations, several members of the Legislative Delegation of Delaware Ferry – including Senators Tim Kearney and John Kane, representatives of Carol Kaeem, David Delloso and Heather Boyd – gathered today for the general meeting in Pennsylvania in order to assign funds.
They were joined by Congressmenka Mary Gay Scanlon, mayor of Chester City Stefan Roots, Vice -President of Delaware Richard Womack, councilor of Delaware Christine Reuther, chairwoman of the Borough Sharon Hill council, Tanya Allen, councilor from the Media District of Washington. Anthony Petty, deputy vice president for Campus services in Swarthmore, Anthony Coschignano and Pennsylvanomaniac, and Pennsylvanomania and pennslanium and assistant, dean of nursing of the Institute of Technology, Corey Glavin-Dennis, as well as several local officials from nearby municipalities, nasty transit supporters, leaders business, union members and community members. The group gathered with Solidarity in front of the Chester Transport Center to express concerns about the recent announcement of the proposed cuts of services, warning that if it is implemented, it would have a destructive impact on Delaware, Philadelphia and surrounding poviats in the region, as well as violating the economic health of the entire community.
“Septa supports the economic health of our entire community of nations, but the burden of these proposed cuts of services and tariff journeys would fall directly on families, employees and communities that rely on it every day,” said Senator Kearney. “We will get up to protect riders who keep this system in motion, and demand investments to which our region and the community of nations deserve. We will not vote for a budget that will not fully finance public transport.”
“The huge septa cuts announced the effect of rafting in the 159th district and deelaware,” said the representative of Kaeem. “Some of these effects will include a capital initiative that has been discussed, such as customer availability and renovation of the CHESTER transport center. Almost 35% of employees in the 159 district are employed by Fair Acres, White Horse, Riddle Village and Riddle Hospital, Place Tree Place, and several other healthcare units will affect their mobility. Doctors who are almost everyone outside the 159 district. “
Last week, Septa announced that without state financing it would have to reduce services by 45%, implement a 20% tariff growth and eliminate over 50 bus routes and regional railway lines, including Wilmington Line, which works through Delaware.
“The SEPTA mass transport system expecting the disruption of the Delaware and our region is catastrophic,” said Trish McFarland, president of the Delaware Faraware Chamber. “Reliable public transport is the spine of our workforce – it connects employees with work opportunities and maintains our local economy. Our members of the Chamber, from miniature companies to the main employers, rely on Sept to ensure that their teams can work safely and on time. Employers face the wavy effect without it.
The Delaware Country is home to several higher education institutions, which are one of the greatest employers in the county and where many students depend on Sept to reach internships and build connections with the city and the region outside the campus. Coschignano emphasized the importance of septa to the Faculty and Working Service of Swarthmore College in addition to student life.
“We are proud that Swarthmore was the first university or university that enrolled in the key advantage of Sept,” said Coschignano. “Our students take Septa every day to Philadelphia for courses and internships, as well as enjoy the lively artistic, cultural and culinary scene of the city. Septa makes life, learning and working in this region possible. The proposed cuts would be more than destructive.
When Philadelphia has the host of six FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, in this round of the 16th match on July 4, the region is preparing for a earnest influx of visitors. This boost in tourism and hospitality will boost the demand for sept, thanks to which reliable transit is more essential than ever.
“Septa and Mass Transit are extremely important for the inhabitants of Chester, and its lack would have a significant negative impact on our community,” said Tim McDermott, president of Unia Philadelphia. “Next year, huge events took place in Philadelphia, including the FIFA 2026 World Cup, access to reliable public transport from all poviats and cities is necessary for our tourism to develop.”
In the coming weeks, the legislators are planning to organize additional rallies in the entire region and in Harrisburg to demand full financing for state transit agencies and emphasize the key role of sept in the future of Pennsylvania’s economic future.
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