SEPTA

SEPTA's summer saw record ridership during FIFA World Cup matches, but advocates warn that the new state budget lacks dedicated transit funding, threatening progress. A community event highlighted both positive and negative SEPTA experiences, emphasizing the need for improved transit as a public health issue.

Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul's Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service plan is criticized for failing to address persistent issues like slow buses, unreliable service, and accessibility barriers for mobility-impaired riders. The MTA and NYC DOT's track records and stop consolidation strategies are questioned for not improving efficiency or equity.

Pennsylvania’s legislature has missed the June 30 deadline to pass a budget, with lawmakers unlikely to resolve a partisan stalemate over mass transit funding. Transportation advocates warned of severe service cuts to agencies like SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, while a court-ordered injunction temporarily halted SEPTA’s cuts by authorizing funds from the Public Transportation Trust Fund.

A train derailment in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, caused a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. CSX reported multiple derailed cars near East Bristol Road and Grave Avenue, prompting evacuations and road closures. No injuries were reported, and SEPTA suspended the West Trenton Line due to emergency response activities.

Young Philadelphia activists ended a 22-day hunger strike after City Council approved Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $7 billion budget plan. The strike, led by Sunrise Movement Philadelphia, demanded the city use its $1.187 billion fund balance to address affordability through seven pillars including housing, schools, and renewable energy. While the budget did not include their core proposals, the group secured meetings and public commitments.

Transit advocates in Pennsylvania rallied to push for increased funding for small transit systems, paratransit, and shared ride services, highlighting the unsustainable 40-year-old funding model and an $80 million annual structural deficit threatening these services. The event emphasized the importance of transit for rural and disabled communities, with speakers stressing that transportation is essential for dignity and opportunity.

Philadelphia's Turn the Key homeownership program launches its first project in the 8th Council District with 22 new homes for first-time buyers. The article also highlights a kid-friendly summer guide and SEPTA's plans to reopen an underground concourse.

The 22nd annual Philly Ride of Silence honored 13 cyclists killed in the past year, including a family member of the most recent victim. PECO announced a $5 average rate increase starting June 1, while SEPTA approved a bus network redesign and the School District of Philadelphia adopted a $4.6 billion budget amid a $300 million deficit.