Transit Workers Union 234, allied ATU operators from across PA, and advocates from Transit For All PA were joined by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania State AFL-CIO called on the legislature to support expanded funding for public transit, roads, and bridges.
HARRISBURG– Today, on the front steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol, government leaders, business leaders, labor leaders and transit riders from big cities, small towns and rural areas rallied and called on the legislature to support adequate transportation funding. Time is running short.
All 67 of Pennsylvania’s counties rely on some form of public transportation, from rural areas to the major cities and all are waiting on the legislature to pass critical public transportation operations funding for 2025 as part of a comprehensive transportation funding package for the Commonwealth.
Brian Pollitt, TWU234 President, said, “We are all in this together. We have people from all over the state, this is a state-motivated coalition.”
“We need the money so that we can continue to provide that safe and courteous service as all of us have done since we started at SEPTA and we continue to do on a daily basis.”
The transit agencies across Pennsylvania need funding to maintain and grow transit service; to hire and retain qualified operators and maintenance employees; to enhance safety and security on the job. The Federal Transit Administration is mandating new safety measures that will come at a significant cost. Roads and bridges need to be repaired as well.
Ross V. Nicotero III, President of the ATU Local 85 and Chairman of ATU PA Joint Conference Board said, “It’s 67 counties that all have [transit] funding. The Joint Conference Board that I represent is 18 ATU properties, all in PA, we all have the same problems — dedicated funding.”
“It shows based on who ride and the people we take to and from work: doctors, nurses, teachers, students, they’re all involved. We need to get it across the line.”
Anselm Saulter, Vice President of Regional Advocacy at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia said, “We are at a crossroads, we need to invest in our transportation infrastructure or Pennsylvania falls behind, we lose jobs and we start to spiral.
“For employees and businesses in our chamber membership, they want to locate close in proximity to a strong, reliable transportation network. More importantly, the employees that they need to have access to, they want to locate close to transit options.”
Austin Davis, the Lieutenant Governor of PA said, “I’m the proud son of a union bus driver. Literally, my dad’s driving a bus in Pittsburgh today to help folks get to where they need to go.
“I’m so proud to see so many elected officials standing with us today because they recognize that Transit is critical to our economy, it’s critical to keeping people moving to the appointments that are important to them. We recognize that we have to invest in mass transit here in Pennsylvania.”
Connor Descheemaker, Coalition Manager of Transit Forward Philadelphia said, “ It is important also that we don’t let our opponents minimize the role of transit for our elders, our students, our disabled populations. 30% of Pennsylvanians cannot drive, that means it’s not a choice for them, they cannot drive and we need to provide for them.”
“The House and Senate must act now, at least $282 million for operations, as part of a comprehensive transportation package means: no job losses, stable contracts for workers, participation in our economy and culture for all people regardless of ability, and a foundation for Transit that allows us access to our full selves.”
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About the Local TWU 234: Organized in 1943 for employees of the former Philadelphia Transit Company, Local 234 was the first major victory for the TWU outside of New York City. The Local was formed during a time of racial strife and the TWU stood by its record and strong commitment to racial equality when African-American trolley operators started working at the PTC. TWU Local 234 now represents over 5,000 employees at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and also represents workers in Upper Darby Township, at Hyundai-Rotem in South Philadelphia and MV Transit. Learn more about TWU Local 234 at https://www.twulocal234.net/our_history.
About the Transit for All PA! Platform and Coalition: Transit for All PA! is a grassroots coalition aimed to improve and expand transit for all Pennsylvanians. Learn more about the campaign and the platform at transitforallpa.org.