HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issues the following statement on SEPTA’s potential changes to address their budget deficit:
“Asking Pennsylvanians to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into mass transit is a challenging argument to make to constituents in rural areas of the commonwealth. SEPTA’s proposal to take steps forward and address their financial issues is a positive development. Given the substantial state investments for SEPTA included in the current state budget, as well as previous budgets, it is critical for conversations surrounding increased support of rider share and taxpayer subsidy to also take place at the local government level.
“I have made it clear that any transit discussion at the state level cannot occur without consideration of transportation infrastructure investment. We have never addressed transit or infrastructure without the other and the harsh reality is that if we’re going to deal with both issues, we need a new revenue stream which will not place additional pressure on the General Fund.
“Public safety of SEPTA users and staff remains a top concern of our caucus as well. Much of the information released today raises more questions than answers. I look forward to a better understanding of SEPTA’s planned rate changes and ways they look to further address safety concerns at their planned hearings.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Flessner kflessner@pasen.gov