HARRISBURG, PA — In less than two weeks, Pennsylvania’s largest transit system could begin slashing service on a scale not seen in decades — and Governor Josh Shapiro says the state Senate holds the power to stop it.
Standing at SEPTA headquarters in Philadelphia, Shapiro yesterday issued a blunt warning: without swift legislative action, buses, trains, and trolleys will run less frequently, 32 routes could disappear, and hundreds of thousands of riders will face disrupted commutes, missed appointments, and diminished access to work, school, and medical care.
“This isn’t just a Philadelphia issue or a Pittsburgh issue — it’s a Pennsylvania issue,” Shapiro said. “We need long-term, recurring funding for SEPTA and for every transit agency in our Commonwealth — and the time to act is right now.”
A Statewide Lifeline at Risk
Nearly a million Pennsylvanians use public transit daily, from SEPTA in the southeast to Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) in the west, and dozens of smaller systems in rural counties. The governor’s budget proposal calls for $292 million in new mass transit funding for the coming year — the first significant boost in over a decade — with a planned increase to $1.5 billion over five years.
This is not just about urban commutes. Rural shared-ride programs deliver 2.6 million trips a year for seniors, while statewide, transit supports more than 39,000 jobs and generates $5.4 billion in annual economic activity.
Shapiro argues the stakes go far beyond transportation logistics. A failure to act, he says, would ripple through Pennsylvania’s economy, workforce, and quality of life.
Political Gridlock
The governor’s proposal has passed the state House of Representatives four times, but the Senate has yet to bring it to a vote. Shapiro and Lt. Governor Austin Davis accuse Senate Republicans of inaction, urging them to return from summer recess and “do the job they were elected to do.”
Davis, the son of a Pittsburgh bus operator, underscored the urgency: “It’s time for Senate Republicans to end their vacation, come back to Harrisburg, and do the work to fund mass transit — not just here in Pittsburgh, but all across our great Commonwealth.”
Senate Republicans, for their part, have previously raised concerns about transit system accountability, safety, and fiscal management. They argue that before allocating significant new funding, agencies like SEPTA must demonstrate measurable improvements in operations and financial discipline — points the administration says are already being addressed.
On the Brink of Service Cuts
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer says the clock is running out. Without funding by August 14, the agency will proceed with a 20% service cut on August 24, followed by a 45% cut later in the fiscal year.
“These devastating changes” — as Sauer calls them — would hit every corner of the network. “Tens of thousands will no longer see SEPTA as a viable option, and many will drive instead, adding to congestion on our roads. Everyone will feel this,” he warned.
Sauer insists the agency has already tightened its belt, saving over $30 million in eight months, reducing its budget deficit, and embracing legislative accountability measures. Ridership, he added, is rising — up 13% last year, with subway ridership up 15% thanks in part to reduced crime.
Real-World Impact
For Philadelphia resident Autumn Fingerhood, the stakes are deeply personal. The single mother relies on SEPTA for her daughter’s school commute, summer job, after-school activities, and soon a part-time job.
“If her bus route stops running later this month, it will upend her education, her job opportunities, and our daily lives,” she said.
Her story mirrors the daily reality for countless families who depend on reliable, affordable public transit to bridge the gap between opportunity and isolation.
What Happens Next
The next eight days will determine whether Pennsylvania averts a crisis in its public transportation systems. Advocates warn that once service is cut, restoring it is costly and slow — and the loss of riders can be permanent.
Supporters of the funding plan say it’s an investment in mobility, economic vitality, and equity. Critics caution against approving large spending increases without ironclad safeguards for taxpayers.
Both sides agree on one thing: the decision made in Harrisburg this month will shape how — and whether — hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians get where they need to go.
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