Spring Break
SEPTA raises fares, seeks state aid
By: Christopher Russel
Issue date: 7/13/07 Section: News
Originally published: 7/13/07 at 12:25 AM EST
Last update: 7/13/07 at 12:26 AM EST
Originally published: 7/13/07 at 12:25 AM EST
Last update: 7/13/07 at 12:26 AM EST
SEPTA raised its fares July 9 due to the transit authority's over $100 million budget deficit.
Notable changes involved the Regional Rail and bus services. For Regional Rail passengers, monthly TrailPasses for zone 3 (the most populous zone) increased to $142.50 from $126.50, costing commuters $192 more annually. For bus riders, transfers are scheduled to be eliminated on August 1, which will force riders wishing to transfer to another bus to pay cash fare, use another token, or buy a weekly or monthly TransPass.
Fares were raised in an attempt to ease the growing budget deficit problem.
"It's frustrating, but there was nothing else they could do. But I feel like it will continue to increase," said Marian Sorial, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering and SEPTA rider.
These particular fare hikes were the less severe compared to the much-feared "doomsday" (Plan B) scenario if SEPTA did not get the appropriate funding. Under Plan B, fares would be increased by 24 percent and service would be cut by 20 percent.
"I'm pissed, [the fare increase is] almost 30 percent more for me," said Anthony Ju, a junior majoring in architectural engineering.
On SEPTA's website, General Manager Faye Moore writes to defend the transit authority and shine a light on the underlying problems that force SEPTA into this annual financial scramble.
"The shortfall is not because we are mismanaged; it's not because Regional Rail is an integral part of SEPTA … and it's not because of the SEPTA board members' political affiliations," Moore stated.
According to Moore, the underlying problem is this annual budget shortfall is a result of the state of Pennsylvania not allocating adequate funds for transportation improvements, especially mass transit. Moore goes on to urge the severe re-evaluation of the revenue streams that would be used to raise enough money every year. Possible sources of money could be from the casinos all across Pennsylvania, a tax on gas, or higher tolls.
The Pennsylvania House and Senate agreed on the new budget for the state, which includes a "transportation plan that over the next decade would provide $950 million annually in new funding for highways and mass-transit agencies through bonds and tolls on Interstate 80."
Governor Rendell says that this will be the most money devoted to roads, bridges, and mass transit agencies in the state's history.
This budget was slated to provide SEPTA the $100 million needed to evade their "doomsday" and should, according to Rendell, "Put transportation systems in good shape for the next 15 to 20 years."
Notable changes involved the Regional Rail and bus services. For Regional Rail passengers, monthly TrailPasses for zone 3 (the most populous zone) increased to $142.50 from $126.50, costing commuters $192 more annually. For bus riders, transfers are scheduled to be eliminated on August 1, which will force riders wishing to transfer to another bus to pay cash fare, use another token, or buy a weekly or monthly TransPass.
Fares were raised in an attempt to ease the growing budget deficit problem.
"It's frustrating, but there was nothing else they could do. But I feel like it will continue to increase," said Marian Sorial, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering and SEPTA rider.
These particular fare hikes were the less severe compared to the much-feared "doomsday" (Plan B) scenario if SEPTA did not get the appropriate funding. Under Plan B, fares would be increased by 24 percent and service would be cut by 20 percent.
"I'm pissed, [the fare increase is] almost 30 percent more for me," said Anthony Ju, a junior majoring in architectural engineering.
On SEPTA's website, General Manager Faye Moore writes to defend the transit authority and shine a light on the underlying problems that force SEPTA into this annual financial scramble.
"The shortfall is not because we are mismanaged; it's not because Regional Rail is an integral part of SEPTA … and it's not because of the SEPTA board members' political affiliations," Moore stated.
According to Moore, the underlying problem is this annual budget shortfall is a result of the state of Pennsylvania not allocating adequate funds for transportation improvements, especially mass transit. Moore goes on to urge the severe re-evaluation of the revenue streams that would be used to raise enough money every year. Possible sources of money could be from the casinos all across Pennsylvania, a tax on gas, or higher tolls.
The Pennsylvania House and Senate agreed on the new budget for the state, which includes a "transportation plan that over the next decade would provide $950 million annually in new funding for highways and mass-transit agencies through bonds and tolls on Interstate 80."
Governor Rendell says that this will be the most money devoted to roads, bridges, and mass transit agencies in the state's history.
This budget was slated to provide SEPTA the $100 million needed to evade their "doomsday" and should, according to Rendell, "Put transportation systems in good shape for the next 15 to 20 years."
