The SEPTA Solution
Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Ed-Op
- Page 1 of 1
To many, Philadelphia's mass transit services are provided by the Slow, Expensive, Pathetic Transit Authority, otherwise known as SEPTA. Most students have learned that SEPTA consistently fails. We've all waited for trains that never came, and dealt with dirty stations and cars.
We'll admit that a system of mass transit is better than nothing, but we'll stop there. Anyone who has used mass transit in other cities knows that something is amiss at SEPTA. Fares always increase, services constantly decrease and every year we learn of another budget shortfall.
This year is no different. SEPTA announced that fares could increase by as much as 31 percent if the state does not come to its aid with a $100 million subsidy, essentially pick-pocketing the same amount of money from our tax dollars.
What we don't understand is why lawmakers keep settling for a short-term solution to this perpetual problem. SEPTA appears incapable of offering affordable, useful and quality service while remaining self-sufficient. A long-term solution is the only type of solution that will bring Philadelphians closer to this desirable reality. People will only embrace mass transportation if it is affordable, useful and clean.
Most lawmakers will tell their constituents that they care about the environment. One way to reduce emissions is to make public transportation appealing to more people.
We implore local and state representatives to take a hard look at SEPTA. Before agreeing to put a band-aid on a problem that continues to bleed, they should consider long-term alternatives. Many west-coast cities like Los Angeles and San Diego form a public-private partnership and hire contractors, through competitive bidding, to run the city's mass transit system. This helps to reduce costs.
Even cities serviced by municipal corporations like Portland, Ore., are able to keep costs in check. Portland's Trimet service plans to increase fares by five cents next year to cover the cost of inflation while adding an 8.3-mile extension to their light rail system in 2008 - without facing a budget shortfall. Portland also has a "fareless square" that permits riders to travel around the downtown portion of the city for free on all modes of transportation.
What do these west-coast systems do differently? Many of them are changing to automated trains. Others also require riders to purchase a ticket from a machine prior to boarding the subway or train rather than pay an attendant. Transit police spot check riders and issue fines to those who do not have a ticket. Both of these methods save significant funds by eliminating the need for operators and attendants. We understand that changing to a similar system in Philadelphia would be difficult, but something new and drastic needs to be done.
We recommend that students contact their state legislators and ask them to consider a long-term fix for Philadelphia.
It's unfortunate that Philadelphia gets a bad name for crime, litter and various other inadequacies, but a clean, well-run and ever-expanding, public transportation system would be a great way to start turning things around.
We'll admit that a system of mass transit is better than nothing, but we'll stop there. Anyone who has used mass transit in other cities knows that something is amiss at SEPTA. Fares always increase, services constantly decrease and every year we learn of another budget shortfall.
This year is no different. SEPTA announced that fares could increase by as much as 31 percent if the state does not come to its aid with a $100 million subsidy, essentially pick-pocketing the same amount of money from our tax dollars.
What we don't understand is why lawmakers keep settling for a short-term solution to this perpetual problem. SEPTA appears incapable of offering affordable, useful and quality service while remaining self-sufficient. A long-term solution is the only type of solution that will bring Philadelphians closer to this desirable reality. People will only embrace mass transportation if it is affordable, useful and clean.
Most lawmakers will tell their constituents that they care about the environment. One way to reduce emissions is to make public transportation appealing to more people.
We implore local and state representatives to take a hard look at SEPTA. Before agreeing to put a band-aid on a problem that continues to bleed, they should consider long-term alternatives. Many west-coast cities like Los Angeles and San Diego form a public-private partnership and hire contractors, through competitive bidding, to run the city's mass transit system. This helps to reduce costs.
Even cities serviced by municipal corporations like Portland, Ore., are able to keep costs in check. Portland's Trimet service plans to increase fares by five cents next year to cover the cost of inflation while adding an 8.3-mile extension to their light rail system in 2008 - without facing a budget shortfall. Portland also has a "fareless square" that permits riders to travel around the downtown portion of the city for free on all modes of transportation.
What do these west-coast systems do differently? Many of them are changing to automated trains. Others also require riders to purchase a ticket from a machine prior to boarding the subway or train rather than pay an attendant. Transit police spot check riders and issue fines to those who do not have a ticket. Both of these methods save significant funds by eliminating the need for operators and attendants. We understand that changing to a similar system in Philadelphia would be difficult, but something new and drastic needs to be done.
We recommend that students contact their state legislators and ask them to consider a long-term fix for Philadelphia.
It's unfortunate that Philadelphia gets a bad name for crime, litter and various other inadequacies, but a clean, well-run and ever-expanding, public transportation system would be a great way to start turning things around.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
SEPTA Watch
posted 4/28/07 @ 11:29 AM EST
Thanks for writing this. You are, of course, absolutely right that SEPTA is a disgrace to our city. (And I am a big fan of public transit!) The more attention we can bring to bear on this situation the better. (Continued…)
Sick Transit
posted 4/29/07 @ 5:16 PM EST
"... something is amiss at SEPTA." MUCH is amiss BOTH at 1234 Market Street and in Harrisburg. There are no good guys, only villains.
The rural representatives who dominate the legislature do not want to adequately fund SEPTA - or for that matter any other aspect of Pennsylvania's large cities such as schools or health care - because they see the urban areas as everything they are not: racially and religiously diverse, politically Democratic, you name it. (Continued…)
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