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Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon today joined Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representatives Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Dwight Evans (PA-03), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) on a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg urging the Biden Administration to continue investment in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) amid a looming transit fiscal cliff. 

The letter, led by Senator Fetterman, comes one month after the Pennsylvania state budget failed to include an increase in state public transit funding. The change, which SEPTA has pushed for, would have translated to a $295 million increase for public transit operations across Pennsylvania, including approximately $190 million more for SEPTA. This change would have prevented likely fare increases and severe service cuts, which could lead to as many as 20% fewer rides overall.

“We are at a critical juncture for transit in the Philadelphia region. Without strong, sustained federal support, Pennsylvanians risk losing transit access entirely,” the members wrote. “However, we shouldn’t set the bar so low – Pennsylvanians deserve a world-class transit system that is efficient, fast, safe, and comprehensive. As the Department of Transportation continues its critical work, we urge you to prioritize SEPTA and Pennsylvania’s transit systems.” 

SEPTA provided a transit option for nearly 150 million city and suburban riders in 2022. A high-quality transit system is essential for mobility and economic growth, both downtown and throughout the region. The agency projects a $240 million annual operating deficit starting in July when its federal pandemic aid reserve expires.

“Our concern is especially urgent because of the nation’s looming transit fiscal cliff,” the members continued. “SEPTA is not the only transit agency in Pennsylvania facing a fiscal cliff, but it would be the first to see draconian service cuts and significant fare increases without additional support. Transit in the Philadelphia region could undergo a death spiral as these cuts lead to decreased ridership, which would in turn, lead to additional cuts. These service cuts and fare hikes will disproportionately hurt the lowest-income riders, and the collapse of SEPTA would harm riders, businesses, tourism, and the economy at large.”

“The Infrastructure Infrastructure and Jobs Act represented a commitment to transforming our transit systems – Pennsylvanians deserve to see that investment put to work in their communities,” they concluded.

Find the full text of the letter here. 

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