WEST CHESTER, PA (April 11, 2025) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta issued the following statement on SEPTA’s impending budget crisis, proposed fare hikes and services cuts, and the need for state investment in public transit.
“Chester County residents depend on SEPTA and their bus and train routes to get to work or school, go to their doctors’ appointments, visit their loved ones, and get to wherever they need to go. These bus and train routes are not dispensable but are an essential service for our communities and our economy.
As SEPTA faces a budget shortfall following the pandemic and a lack of sufficient state funding, the system may soon be forced to raise fares and completely shutter the Paoli-Thorndale regional rail service, which runs right through the heart of Chester County and into Center City, plus numerous bus lines that connect our communities.
This will leave our residents stranded, keep our students and employees at home, and bring our local economy to a screeching halt.
SEPTA is essential and we must ensure the transportation system our residents rely on is properly funded and running efficiently, so we can get to work, go to school, and keep our economy moving.
I will continue to stand in strong support of a well-rounded and complete transportation system and that includes a strong and well-funded SEPTA. I call on the Senate majority to properly fund our public transit systems here in Chester County and across Pennsylvania.”
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