"The problem isn't with lacking management; it's with lacking funding. Secretary Duffy says that SEPTA management is to blame for the recent train fires. But let's be honest: the problem isn't bad management - it's bad math. The trains that caught fire are 50 years old - older than the agency itself -and SEPTA simply hasn't had the funding to replace them."
"Similar to transit agencies across the country, SEPTA's operating budget faced a $213 million fiscal cliff this year due to a trifecta of federal pandemic funds drying up, ridership still recovering from changes to travel since COVID, and the sunset of Act 89 - our prior state funding deal. Riders in our region faced cuts to 45% of our service, including 50 bus lines, 5 regional rail lines, a 9 PM curfew, and a steep fare hike."
Five recent fires occurred on SEPTA Regional Rail cars, and claims were made blaming SEPTA management for the incidents. The cars involved are about 50 years old and have not been replaced due to insufficient funding. SEPTA ranks among the most cost-efficient transit systems, yet faced a $213 million operating budget shortfall driven by expiring federal pandemic aid, incomplete ridership recovery, and the sunset of Act 89 state funding. Potential cuts threatened 45% of service, including dozens of bus lines and regional rail lines, a 9 PM curfew, and fare increases. A rider coalition mobilized tens of thousands to make transit a top state budget issue, and budget negotiations remain unresolved four months overdue.
Read at Streetsblog
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]