A Philadelphia lawsuit could lead to temporary funding that postpones massive transit cuts proposed at Pittsburgh Regional Transit in February.
A Philadelphia Common Pleas Court on Thursday ordered the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to restore sharp service cuts implemented last month because of a state funding shortfall.
To fund the restoration, SEPTA on Friday asked the state Department of Transportation for $394 million under a little-known provision of state law that allows money in a transit capital trust fund to be used for emergency situations.
If Gov. Josh Shapiro approves the use of the funds, PRT could make a similar request. Spokesman Jim Ritchie said Saturday the agency hasn’t received any details from the state about that idea yet.
Until now, the crisis in transit funding has been tied to the delay in passing a new state budget, which should have started July 1. But the Democratic governor and Senate Republicans, in particular, have been unable to agree on a spending plan, and transit funding has been a key holdup.
Transit agencies across the state are facing financial shortfalls because emergency federal money they received during the pandemic has run out and increased state funding is two years late. Service cuts began at SEPTA last month, and another round is scheduled early next year while PRT has announced service cuts of 35% in February — including elimination of 41 bus routes — union and management layoffs of 38% and elimination of service after 11 p.m. to deal with a $100 million deficit.
Republicans had recently suggested tapping the capital trust fund, but Shapiro, Democratic leaders and transit advocates rejected that idea because they want a long-term funding solution. But with the court order to restore service at SEPTA, the trust fund may be the best source of money for the agency’s $234 million deficit.
Judge Sierra Thomas Street agreed with riders that the service cuts were disproportionately aimed at minorities and poor people. The cuts had led to huge delays for riders and a sharp increase in absenteeism and tardiness at Philadelphia Public Schools, which rely heavily on SEPTA for student transportation.
SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer held a news conference Friday to announce the agency has asked Shapiro to designate capital funds to cover its needs for the next two years. Shapiro is reviewing the request, and if it is approved promptly service could be restored Sept. 14.
The court allowed a 21% fare increase to move ahead, raising the base fare to $2.90.
PRT’s February changes also would include increasing the base fare 25 cents to $2.75.
In a joint news release, advocates Transit For All PA, Pittsburghers for Public Transit and Transit Forward Philadelphia blasted the lack of a long-term solution and raiding capital funds. They called it a “deeply flawed, stopgap solution.”
“It is an embarrassment that our transit agencies feel the only solution to our service crisis is to cannibalize their needed capital funds that keep our buses and trains safe, maintained and accessible,” the release said. “Reversing and stopping service cuts in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will bring needed relief to riders in those regions, but it will only lead to further crises and safety risks in the future.
“We need new dedicated and long-term transit funding that will serve the needs of all communities in the commonwealth. This ain’t it.”
In an interview Saturday, Laura Wiens, executive director of PPT, noted that the special funding provisions apply only to SEPTA and PRT. That means agencies in other counties that are struggling will not have the opportunity to use capital funds for daily operations.
“Obviously this does nothing to address those issues as well,” she said.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.