Bucks County – May 2, 2025 -State sender Steve Santarsiero (D-10) yesterday called Republicans in the General Assembly today to fully finance SEPT in this year’s state budget. She joined the Levittown Septa station by representatives of Tina Davis (D-141), Jim Prokopiak (D-140), Perry Warren (D-31) and Tim Brennan (D-29), Democratic delegation emphasized the critical influence that the public transition agency on the region and the destructive impact would propose service cuts and grass on Fare.
“Full financing of SEPTA is of key importance for our region and the community of nations,” said Santarsiero. “Over the years, the Republicans of the Senate kicked a can on the road, refusing to finance Sept in a significant way. We must invest in sept to ensure the long -term success of the agency, its riders, its employees and countless communities, whose economies depend on public transport. Fund sept.
Senator Santarsiero noted that the analysis of the modeling of the Regional Delaware Planning Planning Committee (DVRPC) in the proposed reduction of Sept services would cause 30% longer delays in I-95/I-295 in Bucks and more south delays. “It affects everyone, even if you don’t drive sept every day,” said Santarsiero.
The proposed cuts appear when septa is in the face of a forecast structural budget deficit in the amount of $ 213 million in the 2026 tax year, as a result of rising operating costs and the expiry of federal Covid-19 Funds. SEPTA warned that it may be necessary to eliminate five regional railway lines, interrupt 50 bus routes and impose a tariff growth on average 21.5%, with police time at
Bob Harvie, chairman of the Commissioner of the Bucks, who sits on the SEPTA Council, said: “Companies and residents in Bucks are consisting of public transport every day. This is a significant part of the success of our counties and wealth created for our community. The failure to finance public transport will have a huge impact on all Pennsylvanian.”
“Public transport connects our communities, supports our economy and helps to reduce movement and pollution,” said Rep. Warren. “When the service is limited, it affects how people get into work, school and necessary visits – affects everyday life.”
The members of the Chamber emphasized the commitment of members in financing public transport, including Sept and called the Senate Republicans to act to prevent the catastrophic cuts of service and exorbitant wandering.
“This tariff journey would hit the people themselves who rely on public transport – among people who may not have other transport options,” said Rep. Davis. “We cannot apply even more burdens for riders who are already stretching their budgets to get to work or school. Public transit should be available and accessible to everyone.”
The legislators were joined by supporters and worried citizens, including Transit members for all PA, Save the Train Coalition and The Transit Workers Union, who repeated support for Sept.
“Drastic cuts in the service of sept are not simply an option that we can afford entertainment. The southeastern region is an economic engine for the entire community of nations, and a strong functional public transit system is both in the brief and long-term interest in this region. Septa helps at work, makes it easier expensive”. “Septa is a key element of our economic infrastructure that supports jobs, tourism and availability. Podgrading this system would lead to wave of damage, suppressing the growth and transfer of our transport system while we should invest in durable, future solutions.”
SEPTA will conduct public auditions in May, with a final vote on the proposed budget for June 26. Public commentary can be sent via e-mail to the operational addressbudget@septa.org or by calling 215-580-7772. All comments must be sent by May 28. The changes will come into force on the autumn schedule on August 24.
For more information about the SEPTA proposal and public interrogations, visit https://septa.org/fundingcrisis.
You can watch a full press conference Here.
