Overview

• The Republican-led Senate passed a $1.2 billion transit package on a 27–22 party-line vote that diverts roughly $292 million from the Public Transportation Trust Fund to cover operating costs.
• Approximately $160 million of the reallocated funds is earmarked for SEPTA and $40 million for Pittsburgh Regional Transit.
• The measure now moves to the Democratic-controlled House and would require Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signature to become law, making its enactment uncertain.
• Senate Republicans, including Sen. Joe Picozzi, argue the trust-fund shift is the only viable way to keep service running past agency deadlines.
• Transit advocates and Democratic legislators contend that using the trust fund for operations undermines safety work and capital infrastructure projects.