HARRISBURG, PA — A key Pennsylvania House committee has advanced legislation aimed at averting imminent public transit service cuts and addressing the state’s aging infrastructure, as Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) warns that without immediate state action, significant fare hikes and service reductions will begin within weeks.
On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee voted to move House Bill 1788 to the full House for consideration. The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Sean Dougherty (D-Phila.), proposes sweeping changes to bolster funding for public transportation and to support road and bridge maintenance across the Commonwealth.
At the center of the legislation is an increase in the state’s existing allocation of Sales and Use Tax to the Public Transportation Trust Fund (PTTF), raising the rate from 4.4% to 6.15%. The adjustment would inject an estimated $292.5 million into public transit services statewide. In addition, the bill authorizes the issuance of $325 million in bonds through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in maintaining and repairing infrastructure.
The legislation comes amid a mounting crisis for SEPTA. According to the agency, if state funding is not secured by August 14, service reductions will begin on August 24, followed by fare increases in September.
“This is no longer a matter of debate. It’s a matter of urgency,” said House Transportation Committee Chair Rep. Ed Neilson (D-Phila.). He criticized Senate Republicans for what he characterized as inaction, warning that delays jeopardize not only transit systems but also economic stability across the state. “Public transit touches every corner of the commonwealth – it is not just a ‘city issue,’” Neilson emphasized.
Rep. Dougherty echoed the sentiment, describing the bill as a “commonsense approach” to ensuring that all Pennsylvanians—regardless of geography—have access to reliable, efficient, and safe public transportation. “Public transit is the lifeline of many communities across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, not just Philadelphia,” he stated.
The bill has garnered the support of Pennsylvania’s largest public transit agencies. SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer expressed optimism about the proposal, stating, “We are encouraged by the House Transportation Committee’s continued efforts to advance a transportation package that includes new investment for transit.”
Sauer noted that SEPTA is already implementing measures focused on safety, efficiency, and accountability, aligning with the principles outlined in the legislation. He warned that without additional funding, the system faces “devastating service cuts” that could undermine transit access for thousands of riders.
The bill now moves to the full House for a vote and is expected to reach the Senate for consideration. With the August 14 deadline looming, lawmakers face mounting pressure to act before SEPTA follows through with the planned cuts.
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