State Senator Carolyn Comitta released the following statement following SEPTA’s request and approval to use capital and infrastructure funds to temporarily support its operations:
The cuts to SEPTA have been devastating to workers, students, seniors, and anyone who depends on transit to get where they need to go.
While SEPTA will begin to scale back its service cuts, for now, dipping into maintenance and capital funds to support SEPTA’s operations is unsustainable and not a permanent solution to the transit crisis.
Capital and maintenance projects are not a luxury. They are necessary to ensure that tracks, transit cars, and stations are safe, reliable, and efficient for riders.
Without further action, SEPTA and transit agencies will still be in a funding crisis two years from now and will have significantly less money to make critical infrastructure improvements that keep our trains and buses operating.
We must find a permanent funding solution for transit in Pennsylvania and ensure agencies have the necessary funds to keep our tracks, cars, and stations safe and operating efficiently.
The House Democrats have sent over five bills, supported by the Governor, that provide funding solutions for transit agencies serving all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, including SEPTA.
I am one of 23 Senate Democrats ready to vote on this legislation.
It is time for the Senate Republicans to stop ignoring transit in their communities, come to the table, and work to find a permanent solution to fund transit and keep our communities and our economy moving.