Shapiro's budget would put off service cuts, but SEPTA is not banking on extra cash coming through

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA says if Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal for mass transit passes as is, it would put off the need for service cuts. But SEPTA leaders think that’s a pretty big “if.”

The governor’s budget would provide about $300 million for transit statewide.

“We also owe it to Pennsylvanians in Pittsburgh and Lancaster—and yes, in Philadelphia—who rely on mass transit.”

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Senate Republicans last year wanted funding increases for transit to be tied to funding increases for roads and bridges. That’s important to Senate pro tempore Kim Ward, a Republican from Westmoreland County.

“I know I live in a county that has mass transit, but it’s not mass transit I can go out and get on the bus every morning and go to work.”

SEPTA would get about $165 million more under the governor’s proposal, enough to forestall service cuts. But interim General Manager Scott Sauer says SEPTA is planning an austerity budget just in case and not counting on the increase.

“That budget will be based purely on reality—what we have at our disposal today,” Sauer said.

He says that will translate to higher fares and less service if new funding does not come through.