""When an elderly man or woman collapses and dies trying to make it to a now distant bus stop, some will say it was natural causes," Pollitt said. "But in many cases, the cause can be linked to Senate Majority Leader [Joe] Pittman and his irresponsible caucus members, and their dereliction of duty that has led to canceled bus routes, the elimination of bus stops, as well as buses, trollies and trains coming less frequently.""
"The safety of transit workers themselves could become a casualty of the budget stalemate, too, Pollitt argued - and he also says more than 5,000 people his union represents are already experiencing abuse. According to 2024 Federal Transit Administration data, SEPTA already experienced "among the highest incidents of transit workers assaults, nationwide" - and that was before the state legislature pushed tensions to a boiling point by attacking many Philadelphians' only way to get to work."
SEPTA cut bus and train service by 20% in August due to a state budget crisis, with deeper reductions possible without an emergency funding deal. Reduced routes and eliminated stops are forcing commuters to walk farther to access transit, increasing health risks for elderly and vulnerable riders and raising the possibility of fatalities. Overcrowded and less frequent service is fueling passenger frustration and higher rates of assaults on transit workers, with more than 5,000 union members reporting abuse. Lawmakers' resistance to emergency funding has intensified operational strain and jeopardized public safety and transit access.
Read at Streetsblog
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