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Calling on the Governor and the General Assembly to Immediately Provide for Permanent and Predictable Funding for SEPTA and All Public Transit Agencies Across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and, Urging SEPTA's Ridership and City Businesses and Their Employees to Participate in the Pennsylvania Transit Coalition's Rally in Harrisburg on February 14, 2005.
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WHEREAS, SEPTA is one of only two multi-modal transit entities in the country providing bus, subway, trolley and rail services to a five-county region; and
WHEREAS, SEPTA has a combined FY 2005 Operating and Capital Budget of slightly more than $1.3 billion and employs 9000 people; and
WHEREAS, SEPTA is a key economic asset to the region serving as an employer and a purchaser of goods and services, a transporter of thousands of workers, students, tourists and senior citizens, and a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization and economic growth; and
WHEREAS, Every year, SEPTA spends in excess of $670 million for products and services, many of which are purchased within the five-county region; and
WHEREAS, Seventy percent of the people who work in Philadelphia's Central Business District ride SEPTA; 65,000 middle school, high school and college students rely on SEPTA; and, senior citizens take more than 95,000 daily trips on the fixed route system; and
WHEREAS, For every dollar invested in public transportation, up to six dollars is returned in economic benefits to the region; and
WHEREAS, Studies show that real estate values are significantly higher in areas convenient to rail lines and many jurisdictions are promoting transit-oriented development; and
WHEREAS, Public transit vehicles produce 95% less carbon monoxide as cars and use half the fuel of private autos; and
WHEREAS, Transit systems in other major cities receive a significant port...
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