HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a groundbreaking funding bill that aims to transform the state’s public transportation system and infrastructure.
On Tuesday, June 17, lawmakers approved the Public Transportation Trust Fund Transfer Act, authored by State Representative Ed Neilson, chair of the House Transportation Committee. The legislation will allocate nearly $300 million toward public transit across all 67 counties and aligns with Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget priorities to increase transportation funding without raising taxes.
“This is the most significant transit funding increase in over a decade, and no one will see an increase in their taxes,” said Neilson, D-Phila. The bill reallocates existing funds, raising the share allocated to public transit from 4.4% to 6.15%, potentially directing $1.5 billion to transit projects over the next five years. This funding package also includes an additional $500 million for road and bridge repairs.
Neilson emphasized the bill’s statewide benefits, noting that public transit serves more than one million residents daily, supports approximately 39,000 jobs directly, and impacts even more indirectly through suppliers and industries that rely on the system. “Every dollar invested in transit returns $5 to our economy,” he said, underscoring the economic implications of the funding.
The legislation also empowers the governor to establish a Transportation Funding Advisory Commission to develop a strategic funding plan by January 1, 2026, ensuring long-term accountability and efficiency.
Having cleared the House, the bill now advances to the Senate for consideration. If passed, it could stabilize public transit agencies, prevent service cuts, and provide critical support for Pennsylvania’s vast network of roads and bridges statewide.
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