Man, it’d be a real shame if the snowflake students and others had to walk or bike or something
What is SEPTA?
SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, is a regional public transportation authority that operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services for nearly four million people throughout five counties in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It also manages projects that maintain, replace, and expand its infrastructure, facilities, and vehicles.
How much does it cost?
The $1.69 billion FY 2024 Operating Budget uses SEPTA’s final installment of federal COVID relief funding that has helped to avoid service cuts and fare increases associated with pandemic-induced revenue losses.
Why were they using COVID funds for this? Sounds like an abuse?
(SpotlightPA) Gov. Josh Shapiro will route $153 million in federal highway funding to SEPTA to help the struggling transit agency avoid — at least temporarily — deep service cuts and hefty fare hikes.
That was November 2024. Instead of using the highway funding correctly he pissed it away on SEPTA. And, really, it makes no money, even while charging users more and more. There’s a plan to cut service by 45% and increase fares by 20%, all because the feds have cut money. I mean, maybe there’s a reason states and cities shouldn’t rely on federal funding for everything? That the fed govt should focus on core mission and leave everything else to the states? That the citizens of other states shouldn’t see their tax money go to things like this? That citizens should see their federal taxes go way down, used only to fund those core duties, while more should go directly to the states for state things?
If Pennsylvania wants to do all this and hook up people in a small region, raise the state taxes. And maybe audit how the money is spent.
Too bad Democrats just never learn that we are a federal republic, and most things should be done by, and funded by, the states.
Read: Philly Democrats Super Upset Over SEPTA Losing Federal Funding »