People drive a sept bus in Philadelphia. (Thanks to the kindness of Getty Images)
On Monday, State House voted on the law that would enhance the financing of transit agencies throughout the community. The bill will go to the Senate controlled by the Republicans, which will return to Capitol in Harrisburg tomorrow.
House Democrats claim that an vital move is to enhance funds, because the south -eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Septa) warns against the upcoming cuts of services if they do not receive much state support. But the Republicans in the Chamber accused the other side of the nave of the political game.
The bill increases the financing of transit agencies in rural, urban and suburban areas, giving an additional 1.75% of the total sales tax collected to mass transport agencies. Democrats also emphasized that the bill included a number of republican transport priorities, including financing of roads and bridges, as well as the requirements that transit agencies study public-private projects and evasion of combat fees.
For months, the legislators have been discussing how to enhance transit financing as part of wider budget negotiations. But, six weeks after the authorized period of 30 June for its adoption, SEPTA announced last week that she would have to reduce the service by 20%if the legislators do not work to enhance their financing by August 14.
“I think there are those who want to play a politics or lever of other problems, but a simple reality is a problem ahead of us, the transit crisis,” said House leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery).
However, the republican leader of the minority, Jesse Topper (R-Bedford), said, however, that the movement of the house was nothing but a political program.
“Although we believe [transit funding] It is an integral part of budget discussions that took place, it is part of budget discussions, “said Topper.” We must be able to get to the room and fix this budget in full, not one issue at once. “
Topper said that the Senate controlled by Republicans is unlikely to act on transit financing as an independent issue, instead browsing it as part of wider budget negotiations.
A spokesman for the leader of most Senate Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) did not answer the request for comment.
About 1 million Pennsylvania – about one 13 people in a state – they exploit mass transport every day in all 67 poviats. About 800,000 people exploit sept. But the transit authorities outside the Philadelphia area also warned that they would face the cuts of services if the legislator does not provide additional funds.
Earlier reports from the debate on the financing of mass transport:
What is threatened with the proposed enhance in financing of mass transport in PA?
Pa. House has a Sunday voice on transit financing as the consequences of the overdue budget loom
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