Philadelphia, PA: To modernize and expand transit systems, the federal government will provide Pennsylvania with over $600 million to enhance funding for public transportation.
The largest portion of the $448 million in Federal Transit Administration funds is designated for the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Funding levels and statutory formulas established by Congress dictate the amount of money that flows.
The FTA announced grants, amounting to over $20 billion, on a national scale.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated in a press release, “As part of President Biden’s infrastructure plan, we are making the largest-ever federal investment in transit – trains, buses, ferries, and more – to ensure that people can get to their destinations reliably and affordably.” “Millions of Americans will have their daily lives improved by this $20.5 billion investment in public transportation, which will also assist communities in gaining greater access to economic opportunity.”
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Almost $618 million will be allocated by the federal government to the transit agencies of Pennsylvania. Funds were allocated by industrialized area under the FTA:
Pittsburgh: $82.9 million
Lancaster: $26.4 million
Harrisburg: $15 million
Allentown: $12.2 million
Reading: $6 million
York: $5.5 million
As per the FTA, funds may be allocated to expand, maintain, and operating public transit systems; upgrading maintenance facilities, tracks, and stations; plan and designing new transit corridors; and improving access. A portion of the funds are referred to by federal officials as “the largest investment in public transit in U.S. history.”
As transit agencies struggle to recuperate from the repercussions of the pandemic, the funds are received. The fact that more individuals continue to work from home reduces the number of daily commuters. Additionally, safety and criminality concerns have prompted passengers to seek alternatives.
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Following significant declines, both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have encountered challenges in reviving ridership on their respective transit systems.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has issued a warning in recent years regarding a $240 million budget shortfall that may necessitate “difficult decisions.” A greater portion of state sales tax revenues has been proposed to be allocated to SEPTA by Governor Josh Shapiro, while legislators have suggested increasing local taxes to cover expenses.
To assuage public apprehension, SEPTA officials have prioritized hiring additional security personnel and cleaners. To deter fare evaders, full-length fare gates were implemented at select stations in April.