Spring Break
SEPTA postpones budget plan review
By: Jason Gomes
Issue date: 3/4/05 Section: News
Originally published: 3/4/05 at 12:01 PM EST
Last update: 3/4/05 at 12:04 PM EST
Originally published: 3/4/05 at 12:01 PM EST
Last update: 3/4/05 at 12:04 PM EST
According to a Sept. 9 SEPTA press release, there was a possibility of a 25 percent hike in all transit fares, 20 percent service reduction, elimination of weekend services and a workforce reduction of 1,400 employees in order to meet the estimated $62 million deficit of the FY2005 operating budget. SEPTA regretted making such a decision noting the impact that it would make on the community and its business operations. However, it also expressed that state government funding could solve the problem.
Furthermore, in a Dec. 16 SEPTA press release, it was announced that the SEPTA Board of Trustees approved the plan constructed in September with the addition of modified weekend services. The two board members representing the City of Philadelphia voted against the plan as instructed by Mayor Street. Two days later he sued SEPTA in the Court of Common Pleas and won.
Governor Rendell responded to the SEPTA crisis by releasing $13 million as a relief for a portion of the FY2005 budget Dec. 21. The SEPTA Board responded Dec. 30 to delay the implementation of the plan to allow Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to address the funding issue. The Board delayed the implementation of the plan until Feb. 27 due to a promise by the Governor to provide an additional $13 million.
According to a Feb. 15 press release, the SEPTA Board delayed the date to March 6 due to a lawsuit hearing set for Feb. 23 by the City of Philadelphia against the plan.
Furthermore, in a Dec. 16 SEPTA press release, it was announced that the SEPTA Board of Trustees approved the plan constructed in September with the addition of modified weekend services. The two board members representing the City of Philadelphia voted against the plan as instructed by Mayor Street. Two days later he sued SEPTA in the Court of Common Pleas and won.
Governor Rendell responded to the SEPTA crisis by releasing $13 million as a relief for a portion of the FY2005 budget Dec. 21. The SEPTA Board responded Dec. 30 to delay the implementation of the plan to allow Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to address the funding issue. The Board delayed the implementation of the plan until Feb. 27 due to a promise by the Governor to provide an additional $13 million.
According to a Feb. 15 press release, the SEPTA Board delayed the date to March 6 due to a lawsuit hearing set for Feb. 23 by the City of Philadelphia against the plan.
