1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

We cannot wait any longer to pass the state budget, with money for transit! We need to immediately expand transit funding for public transit services in all of PA’s 67 counties, for more transit in every community across PA. Whether we live in Harrisburg or Pittsburgh, Wilkes Barre or Erie, rural towns or Philadelphia, all Pennsylvanians deserve safe, reliable, dignified access to the places they need to go. Public transit operates in every single PA county, bringing millions of residents safely, affordably and efficiently to their jobs, local businesses, healthcare, schools and healthy food every day. Bus lines are lifelines, keeping our economy and communities thriving- but funding for transit has been falling short of what residents need and deserve. In January, Governor Shapiro proposed an increase of 1.75% in the state sales tax allocation (but not the tax paid by residents) to the Public Transportation Trust Fund: enough money to stave off service cuts and fare increases that are imminent in southeastern PA, and help to reverse the service cuts and pandemic austerity measures that have harmed riders across the state. In July, the PA legislature failed to include this measure in the state budget, offering a one-time infusion of less than one-fourth the money being requested to maintain operations and improve service. A lot is on the line: SEPTA’s budget shortfall alone will result in $254.7 million in state and local tax revenue losses. That’s money that funds education, social services, economic development and infrastructure all across the Commonwealth. We've seen bipartisan - and statewide - support for increased funding (without raising taxes!), including the passage of HB1219 of 2023 which stalled in the state Senate. Now, the state legislature is putting our economy and mobility on the line by forcing SEPTA to make budget cuts and fare increases as soon as December 1, while agencies across the state will make permanent cuts of up to 40% to services that have mounted over the last decade due to incomplete funding. The time is now to build more connected communities and give agencies the flexibility to adjust schedules and routes to fit new commuting patterns since the onset of the pandemic. Operator shortages are causing trip cancellations, and we need stable funding to attract and retain these good, union jobs and give riders reliable service. We can’t do this without a new, dedicated source of transit service funding at the State level. Please support an essential increase in stable, annual funding to the Public Transportation Trust Fund of at least $280 million. Every county in Pennsylvania depends on your support.