Title
Calling upon the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pass legislation to enable new county level investments that can help to advance transit and transportation projects that drive local priorities.
Body
WHEREAS, The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the largest and busiest public transportation provider in the Commonwealth providing over 600,000 daily trips in 2023, providing access to destinations across the region and directly relieving traffic congestion from roadways; and
WHEREAS, SEPTA is a crucial mobility lifeline and economic driver for 4.2 million residents in southeastern Pennsylvania, including nearly 200,000 Philadelphia residents who do not have access to a vehicle; and
WHEREAS, Greater Philadelphia is the Commonwealth's most economically productive region, generating 41% of the state's economic activity with 32% of its population on just 5% of its land - a degree of economic productivity and density that is not possible without transit to efficiently move people throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, SEPTA is among the 50 largest employers in the Commonwealth and generates $4 billion in annual statewide economic activity, supporting 26,600 jobs statewide, including 14,500 jobs in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, over the past five years (2018-2022) SEPTA has procured goods and services totaling over $1.15 billion from Pennsylvania companies, including over $350 million from Philadelphia employers; and
WHEREAS, investment in SEPTA trails other competitor regions, while capital needs continue to grow amid COVID-related costs, inflation and the age of SEPTA vehicles and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, over the last decade, peer regions have invested an average of 75% more in transit than southeastern Pennsylvania and are investing nearly $70 per capita every year in local funding compared to southeastern Pennsylvania's $17; and
WHEREAS, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law / Infrastructure Inves...
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