Senator Scott Martin, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, commented on SEPTA’s recent request to use existing funds from the $2.5 billion Public Transportation Trust Fund to prevent service reductions. According to Martin, this move aligns with a solution that Senate Republicans proposed last month.
“The funding requested by SEPTA today serves as a clear acknowledgement that the money is available to be used for operational needs, just as we’ve said for the past three weeks. We now have an opportunity to move beyond the political games played by the Governor and his Democrat allies and focus on the real reforms that need to happen,” Martin stated.
He emphasized that while accessing these funds is a step forward, more work remains in improving safety and accountability within SEPTA’s operations. “It’s important to note that today’s action is only part of the solution. We still have an urgent need to address safety and accountability to improve the system. SEPTA has been receptive to many of these ideas previously, and I remain hopeful we can implement these critical reforms soon to give riders a safer, better and more efficient transit system,” he said.
Martin also acknowledged Senators Picozzi, Farry, and Pennycuick for their ongoing efforts with Senate Republican leadership in supporting SEPTA riders. “Senators Picozzi, Farry and Pennycuick have worked tirelessly with the Senate Republican leadership team for months to advance these goals and protect SEPTA riders, and their efforts deserve our thanks and recognition.”
