Transit for All PA held a recent rally at SEPTA’s Fox Chase Station calling on the state to fully fund mass transit.
“We have been underfunding SEPTA for decades,” said Connor Descheemaker, campaign manager for Transit for All PA.
Other groups represented at the Feb. 6 rally were Reclaim Philadelphia, UNITE HERE, Transit Forward Philadelphia and 215 People’s Alliance. Members held signs such as, “Northeast Philly Runs on SEPTA.”
Descheemaker said it was an encouraging sign that state Sen. Joe Picozzi stood and applauded when Gov. Josh Shapiro called for more transit funding in his Feb. 3 budget address.
State Rep. Sean Dougherty attended the rally, saying transportation funding goes to, not only mass transit, but roads and bridges.
Dougherty said transit funding is important to Pennsylvanians living in urban, suburban and rural communities, who all need to get to work, school and doctors’ appointments.
“Transit moves all of us,” he said. “Fund mass transit and fund it now.”
Helena Gallant, of Torresdale, said full funding of mass transit saves people from paying for gas and parking and getting stuck in traffic on Roosevelt Boulevard and I-95. She has a bumper sticker that reads, “I’d rather be riding public transit.”
Mary Dunham, targeted case manager for Mental Health Partnerships, said public transit is not optional, it’s essential. Dunham said a permanent, dedicated funding source is needed, not last-minute temporary fixes, like what happened last November – four months after the budget deadline – when Shapiro and Senate Republicans could not agree on a funding source.
“Act now, not later,” she said.
Senia Lopez, a Bustleton resident and member of the 215 People’s Alliance, said she was glad to see other groups join Transit for All PA in the fight for more transit dollars, arguing that the effort is stronger when advocates work together.
“We need new, dedicated funding for SEPTA,” she said. ••
