Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to SEPTA Funding Announcement, Calls for Statewide Permanent Sustainable Transit Funding

HARRISBURG, PA - September 8, 2025 - Today, Governor Shapiro and PennDOT approved SEPTA's request for temporary operational support using state funds that are typically reserved for capital expenses that fund the purchase and maintenance of transit vehicles and infrastructure that provides for safety and efficiency.

Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, on behalf of the Senate Democrats, provides the following statement:

"Senate Democrats commend Governor Shapiro and Secretary Carroll for taking the leadership and making the hard decision to provide SEPTA badly needed funding to avoid continuing the dramatic service reductions that we've seen over the last few weeks.

"We, along with the Governor and the House Democrats, have been trying to negotiate a solution to the transit crisis over the last three years, and in particular, the last 6 months. The Senate Republicans are indifferent, even hostile, to the needs of our cities.

"The Senate Republicans have proven over the last two years that they are not willing to agree to a permanent and sustainable solution to support our transit systems statewide. The House of Representatives has passed five plans on a bipartisan basis that would have reasonably met the needs of our transit systems across the entire state, covering Republican and Democratic districts alike.

"So today, the Governor and PennDOT took the last, worst step that was available and accepted SEPTA's request to access capital funds intended to provide for safe and efficient transportation service and to divert them for operational needs to restore the transit service that Philadelphia runs on. This is not ideal, but is necessary, and we applaud the Shapiro Administration for taking this bold action.

"We will be back at this again in the near future. This action is a temporary solution. We hope that we will not be back again next year fending off avoidable service reductions and more pain for the citizens. We remain dedicated to finding a permanent and sustainable source of state operating support for SEPTA, PRT and all transit agencies throughout our 67 counties that allows people to get to work, school and leisure and keeps our Commonwealth's economy going."

Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats' commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.

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