Last month, massive cuts were announced in Pittsburgh. This week, cuts were announced in Philadelphia. More transit cuts and fare hikes in small towns and cities across PA aren’t far behind.
The time to TAKE ACTION IS NOW! Use this form to email your legislators, then scroll down for more actions!
SEPTA announced fixed route service cuts up to 45% and fare increases of 21.5%. The impacts on disabled riders would be even more profound, with 40,000 paratransit trips per year no longer served by SEPTA ACCESS, and fares increased by 35%.
This is not just an Philadelphia issue. In all 67 counties of the Commonwealth, public transportation provides critical access for our elders, youth, disabled community members, and households without access to a personal vehicle. Transit systems statewide are hitting a funding “cliff,” which would devastate communities already suffering under similar cuts enacted over the past several years due to funding austerity.
Just two weeks ago, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced cuts to fixed route service of up to 40% with an additional 9% increase in fares. This is on top of 20% service cuts over just the last 5 years in Allegheny County. The lack of dedicated, expanded transit funding affects people riding to work in Allentown on LANTA, elders moving around their community safely in Erie, and disabled community members using paratransit in Harrisburg.
Over the last several years, our statewide coalition Transit for All PA! has been organizing for a new, dedicated state funding source to fund the transit services riders across the Commonwealth need. We are a coalition of thousands from communities of all sizes and geographies, and we have a shared demand: to restore transit service across the state to 2019 levels– and to expand transit service in communities outside Pittsburgh and Philadelphia by an additional 10%.
Last week, on a Transit for All PA! statewide call with over 200 transit riders and workers, communities across the Commonwealth ratified a demand and the funding solutions that would meet our collective needs. This funding package would go beyond austerity, and ensure transit funding stability and service restoration for all 67 counties statewide.
Whether you’re from State College or Scranton, Philly or Erie, better transit is possible, is necessary, and is transformative. We’re ready to bring this challenge to our state elected leaders: are you ready to meet this moment with us?
Thanks for your support! Here’s how you can take action to win better public transit across PA:
1. If you haven’t already, write your reps to demand they step up for public transit. Share the letter campaign with everyone in your community!
2. Volunteer to join a meeting with your elected officials! Through May, we’re gathering advocates to visit state legislators in-person at their local offices.
3. For transit supporters who live outside Philly and Pittsburgh, Join our next Smaller Systems Working Group!
Public transit operates IN EVERY SINGLE PA COUNTY – whether as shared rides that bring seniors to grocery stores, dial-a-ride that brings patients to medical appointments, or small fixed-route buses that connect rural communities. Public transit is not just an urban issue for Philly and Pittsburgh. If you live in a community outside Philly and PGH and you care about public transit then we want you to join our next Smaller Systems Working Group.
4. Sign-up for one of Transit for All PA!’s volunteer-driven action committees, or an Issue Coalition!
The Transit for All PA! campaign has volunteers getting together every week to work on research, communications, and organizing projects. Separate Issue Coalitions are also established to focus on transit’s importance to Social/Human Service Organizations and the Disabled Community. Get involved below!