Chester County lawmakers are putting pressure on Pennsylvania Senate leadership to fully fund SEPTA amid a threat to the Paoli/Thorndale line, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.
SEPTA’s worst-case fiscal scenario includes eliminating 50 bus routes, raising fares, and shutting down five Regional Rail lines, with the Paoli/Thorndale line among them. The line connects nearly two dozen stops from Philadelphia to Chester County.
The Democratic-controlled state House of Representatives has already approved a significant funding boost to SEPTA to prevent catastrophic consequences for the region’s economy, which generates 38 percent of the commonwealth’s general tax revenues.
“The Senate leadership is refusing to protect our jobs, our hospitals, our businesses, and our property values,” said state Rep. Melissa Shusterman of the 157th Legislative District. “Yet they are fine with collecting our taxes.”
Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz, who is also vice chair of SEPTA’s board, stated that the transportation agency has already done the work, reducing the budget shortfall by $27 million.
“This is about more than just transit,” she said. “It’s about the future of our communities, our economy and our commonwealth. Transit is not a cost. It’s an investment.”
Read more about the Paoli/Thorndale line being in jeopardy and what lawmakers intend to do about it in the WHYY.
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