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Council backs permanent transit funding idea and honors SEPTA workers; resolution urges lawmakers to fund system
Summary
City Council adopted resolutions urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to secure funding for SEPTA and backing a proposal to create a Transit Access Fund to sustain fare subsidies including zero-fare pilots; council also honored SEPTA workers.
Philadelphia City Council on April 24 adopted multiple resolutions supporting transit funding and honoring SEPTA workers.
Council member Nick O'Rourke introduced an ordinance that would place a charter amendment question before voters to mandate an annual appropriation to a Transit Access Fund for public transit subsidies. He also introduced a companion ordinance to create the Transit Access Fund in the city code and a non-privileged resolution proposing submission of the charter amendment. Council adopted a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass bipartisan funding to prevent service cuts and fare hikes for SEPTA; the resolution passed by voice vote.
Public testimony included SEPTA riders, union representatives and labor groups. Jeremy Blatstein and Ashley Miskiewicz of the Chamber of Commerce urged action to prevent dramatic service cuts and fare increases. Union and civic witnesses described the 0-fare pilot program and the SEPTA Key employee subsidy as important tools for riders and employees; speakers called for a stable, long-term funding source. “Public transportation is the only way to get to work, school, medical appointments, or to engage in civic life,” said Jordan Ford of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition.
Council also adopted a privileged resolution honoring SEPTA transit workers as “unsung heroes.” The counsel recorded several related votes and placed the charter/ordinance measures on committee referral for further action.
Why it matters: Speakers and council members framed transit funding as essential to economic opportunity, climate goals and equitable access to jobs and services. Several speakers noted that cuts and fare increases would disproportionately harm low-income and immigrant riders.
Next steps: The council’s local ordinances and charter amendment proposal will proceed through committee and, if ordered, a future ballot process. The resolution urging state legislators to pass funding is nonbinding but aims to shape the state response to SEPTA’s fiscal needs.
