West Chester, PA (Junio 27, 2025) — State Senator Carolyn Comitta today issued the following statement in response to the SEPTA Board’s vote this week to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, which will cut service by 45 percent and raise fares 21.5 percent to fill a $213 million recurring budget deficit.
“SEPTA leaders have been sounding the alarm on this budget shortfall for months. We knew this was coming. We know that SEPTA service is indispensable to residents, families, students, and businesses in our region. And we know that these drastic cuts and fare hikes will have a significant, negative impact on our economy, property values, traffic congestion, and the overall quality of life in Chester County and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
What we don’t know is when the Senate Republican majority will act either on the mass transit funding bill recently passed by the House or a state budget that fairly and fully funds SEPTA and mass transit in all 67 counties. SEPTA’s budget shortfall was foreseeable, but the service reductions and fare increases are entirely avoidable. I’m disappointed by inaction by the Senate Republican majority in Harrisburg. And I’m disappointed that we’re days away from the state budget deadline and still don’t have a plan on the table to fund SEPTA, and other crucial services.
However, I remain hopeful that we can come together and pass funding for SEPTA and mass transit across the Commonwealth. And I will continue to stand with Chester County residents and business leaders – as I did at the Paoli Train Station earlier this spring – in calling on my Senate Republican colleagues to fund SEPTA now. It’s a necessity for our regional and state economy. And it’s just the right thing to do for our constituents.”