Council Staff advocate for improvements to public transit during SEPTA’s yearly budget hearings 

Earlier this May SEPTA held public comment about their proposed FY2024 capital and operations budgets. These budgets are a big deal because they direct the future of public transportation in the Philadelphia area, which is an important form of sustainable transportation, as well as a vital resource for many in the region. These budgets propose lots of important investments including funding for improving the accessibility of the transit system, and instituting a second free transfer for riders when they pay with SEPTA Key. You can view the budgets here, and read a summary of what is included from our partners at Transit Forward Philly here. 

Maya Frydman, a Transportation Outreach Coordinator at the Council, attended the hearings and gave public comment on behalf of the Council. You can read their comments below. SEPTA is still accepting public comment until May 31st, if you would like to share your thoughts on what to prioritize when it comes to transportation spending you can email operatingbudget@septa.org and capbudget@septa.org respectively. You can also leave a comment in the form of a voicemail by calling 215-580-7772 for the operations budget and 215-580-7771 for the capital budget. Making public transit accessible, reliable, affordable, and frequent is one of the best ways to combat fossil fuel emissions and support the health of the region, so share your thoughts with SEPTA and stay engaged with our transportation work going forward. 

Operational Budget Testimony:

Capital Budget Testimony: