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Montgomery County commissioners urge state action to avert SEPTA service cuts affecting Norristown
Summary
County commissioners warned that proposed cuts to SEPTA funding could force up to 45% service reductions and major fare increases, and called for coordinated advocacy to protect transit-dependent residents and regional economy.
A county commissioner warned Thursday that proposed reductions in state funding for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) could force deep service cuts and steep fare increases that would affect Norristown commuters and the region’s economy.
The commissioner told the Board of Montgomery County Commissioners that SEPTA is facing a potential loss of $213,000,000 in state support, and said the transit agency would need to cut up to 45% of service and raise fares by about 21% if that funding is not restored. “If SEPTA doesn’t get $213,000,000 from the state government, it’s going to have to cut service up to 45% and increase fares by 21%,” the commissioner said, noting that those reductions could eliminate roughly 50 bus routes and five regional rail lines, including the Paoli/Thorndale line and the Norristown High Speed Line.
The commissioner framed the issue as a public-safety and economic concern: reduced transit service would affect access to jobs, schools and essential services and could increase car traffic on already-congested roads. “Southeastern Pennsylvania is just 5% of the land mass of the state, but we’re 45% of the economy,” the commissioner said, urging residents to join county advocacy in advance of state budget deliberations.
Why it matters: The county official described a potential “death spiral” for transit in which service cuts reduce ridership and revenue, prompting further cuts. Reduced SEPTA service in Norristown and surrounding areas could disproportionately harm people with disabilities and residents who rely on transit for work and school, the speaker said.
Supporting details and county response The commissioner said county officials, municipal partners and transit advocates will coordinate outreach to state legislators over the coming months. He invited residents and employers to contact county offices and state senators to explain what losing rail service at Norristown or losing up to 50 bus routes would mean for daily life and the economy. He also tied the urgency to upcoming regional events, saying reduced transit capacity could affect the county’s ability to host major sporting or national events.
Quotes and attribution - “If you’re a person with a disability and you need to ride the train or the bus, that’s critical,” the county commissioner said. - “We couldn’t have businesses function… people trying to get to school,” the commissioner added when describing the role of transit.
Context and background The speaker said the county has previously made investments in transit-related work and that county officials sit on regional boards overseeing transit planning. He asked residents to contact the county with stories about how SEPTA service affects their day-to-day lives.
Looking ahead County officials said they will press state legislators to fund SEPTA as the state budget moves forward and urged residents to contact their state senators. The county did not announce any new local funding in this meeting.
Ending County commissioners framed the possible loss of SEPTA service as an urgent, statewide budget issue that will require coordinated advocacy; officials said they will engage neighbors, businesses and elected representatives in the coming months.
