Philadelphia Lawmaker Walks 105 Miles for Transit Future
State Rep walks 105 miles from Philadelphia to Harrisburg as SEPTA faces $240M deficit
SEPTA Lawmaker Walks 105 Miles for Transit Funds
State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta walked 105 miles from Philadelphia to Harrisburg to push for long-term SEPTA funding, transit officials confirmed. The five-day journey began Thursday and included stops in West Chester and Lancaster, where Kenyatta held rallies to build support. He arrived in Harrisburg Tuesday as SEPTA faces a $240 million annual deficit that's already forced fare hikes and service cuts.
Funding Crisis Threatens Regional Transit
SEPTA serves 3.8 million people across five counties in southeastern Pennsylvania with 306 million annual trips before the pandemic. The agency's funding crisis stems from expiring federal COVID-19 relief funds that helped maintain service during ridership declines. Leslie S. Richards, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, said without additional state funding, SEPTA will face devastating service cuts and fare increases. Pennsylvania's current transit funding structure, established through Act 44 in 2007, hasn't kept pace with inflation and operational costs.
Service Cuts Already Implemented
SEPTA implemented a 7.5% fare increase and service reductions on December 15, 2024, as the first response to the funding shortfall. The agency projects a fiscal cliff by July 2025 without state action. Officials didn't specify how many routes were affected by the December cuts or provide detailed ridership data for impacted services. Kenyatta's walk aimed to demonstrate the urgency of securing sustainable funding before deeper cuts become necessary.
Arrival Scheduled for Tuesday
Kenyatta began his walk Thursday, January 9, and arrived in Harrisburg on Tuesday, January 14. Officials didn't announce specific times or locations for the West Chester and Lancaster rallies. State officials including Governor Josh Shapiro haven't publicly responded to Kenyatta's advocacy walk. The representative didn't specify an exact funding amount he's seeking, but called for long-term, sustainable support for the transit system.
Riders Face Uncertain Future
Transit advocates say SEPTA's situation mirrors funding crises facing agencies in New York and Boston, where state legislatures approved increased funding. Without state action, riders can expect additional fare increases and service reductions beyond what's already been implemented. Moovit provides real-time updates for SEPTA routes as service changes continue. Officials said they'll release more details about potential future cuts as budget discussions progress in Harrisburg.
