Particle.news
Download on the App Store
6 ARTICLES
·
2w ago

Pennsylvania House Passes $1 Billion Transit Funding Bill Ahead of SEPTA Deadline

Governor Shapiro mobilized unions to press Senate Republicans to approve the measure by Aug. 14, warning that 20 percent cuts start on Aug. 24 followed by 21.5 percent fare hikes next month.

FILE - A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority bus (SEPTA) is driven on Market Street in Philadelphia, Oct. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The Pennsylvania House approved HB 1788 by a 108-95 vote, allocating nearly $1 billion for transportation with $292 million earmarked for mass transit operations.
  • Senate Republicans oppose reallocating sales tax revenue and are proposing instead to draw from the state’s $2.3 billion trust fund to cover mass transit shortfalls.
  • Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined building trades unions in Harrisburg on Aug. 10–11 to urge senators to reconvene and pass the funding bill by Thursday.
  • SEPTA has set Aug. 24 to implement 20 percent across-the-board service cuts and Sept. 1 for 21.5 percent fare increases if new state funding is not secured by Aug. 14.
  • Nearly one million daily riders across 52 Pennsylvania transit systems face service disruptions that could strain regional mobility ahead of major 2026 events.