SEPTA describes "Doomsday" cuts in transit in Phila. Area if State Transp. Funding not approved

[JPZenger]

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20130913_Short_of_funding__SEPTA_presents_doomsday_plan.html

Two years ago, an excellent statewide panel appointed by Corbett presented a plan to fund future transportation needs throughout the state. It took Corbett over a year before he endorsed most of that plan and proposed a bill to carry it out. The State Senate was strongly in favor of it. However, the teabaggers who hold the controlling votes in the PA. House refused to approve additional public transit funding, because they consider it to be "welfare." (Of course, most people use public transit to get to work, and public transit reduces the need for the state to spend hundreds of millions on additional roads). Without transit funding, the Dems refused to provide the votes to pass it. That was critical because the Repubs wanted the road and bridge funding, but weren't willing to vote for the revenue increases.

PennDOT is now in the process of placing weight restrictions on over 1,000 deficient bridges because there are no funds for repairs or replacement. This will cause long detours for trucks, school buses, etc.

Last year, the Pittsburgh public transit system suffered draconian cuts in service. SEPTA was able to continue service because they had some financial reserves, which have now been used up.

Now, SEPTA is describing the vicious cuts in public transit service that will be needed if the legislature continues to not provide a transportation bill. It involves scrapping over 100 rail cars, closing a subway line, eliminating some rail lines, etc. Details in link.