Pennsylvania House makes last-ditch effort to stave off cuts at Philadelphia’s public transit agency – 6abc Philadelphia

Legislative Action on Pennsylvania Public Transit Funding and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed House Bill 1788, a comprehensive legislative package aimed at securing funding for public transportation systems across the Commonwealth, with a primary focus on averting a severe service crisis for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The bill’s passage comes at a critical juncture, as a failure to secure state funding by a looming deadline threatens to trigger drastic service reductions and fare increases. This situation has significant implications for Pennsylvania’s progress toward several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning sustainable cities, economic growth, infrastructure, and social equity.

Legislative Status of House Bill 1788

On Monday, the Pennsylvania House approved HB 1788 by a vote of 108-95. The bill, which has the support of Governor Josh Shapiro, now moves to the State Senate for consideration. Key provisions of the bill include:

• An increase in operational aid for transit agencies by $292 million, representing a 25% rise.
• Funding is generated by redirecting an additional 1.75 percentage points of state sales tax revenue to a dedicated public transit fund.
• Allocation of up to $325 million in borrowing authority for highway projects.
• Provision of $275 million for improvements to smaller, rural roads.
• Mandates for the creation of performance, safety, and efficiency standards for the transit agencies in Philadelphia (SEPTA) and Pittsburgh.

The bill’s fate in the Republican-led Senate remains uncertain, with leaders expressing resistance to increased transit aid and indicating they will “consider options to address the consequences of a budget impasse.”

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The debate over public transit funding in Pennsylvania is intrinsically linked to the achievement of multiple SDGs. The proposed legislation supports these goals, while a failure to pass it would represent a significant setback.

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The core of the issue relates to Target 11.2, which calls for providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all. The potential cuts to SEPTA, the nation’s sixth-largest transit system, directly threaten the sustainability and accessibility of Philadelphia and its surrounding communities.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Reliable public transit is a critical enabler of economic activity, ensuring residents can access employment, education, and commerce. As stated by proponents, service cuts would “destroy jobs and hurt businesses of every size,” undermining efforts to achieve sustained and inclusive economic growth.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Public transportation is a vital service for low-income individuals, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Drastic service cuts and a 21.5% fare hike would disproportionately impact these vulnerable populations, exacerbating inequality and limiting their access to essential services like medical appointments, as noted in the debate.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The bill addresses the need for resilient and sustainable infrastructure (Target 9.1) by providing funding for transit systems, highways, and rural roads. Investment in public transit is a cornerstone of developing modern, sustainable infrastructure capable of supporting economic development and human well-being.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The legislative stalemate highlights the challenges in achieving policy coherence and multi-stakeholder partnerships (Target 17.14). A successful resolution would demonstrate a functional partnership between state government, public agencies, and citizens to advance sustainable development.

Projected Consequences of Funding Impasse

SEPTA officials have outlined a “doomsday” scenario if state funding is not secured by the Thursday deadline. The planned measures would be among the most drastic undertaken by a major U.S. transit agency.

• August 24: Initial service cuts begin to go into effect.
• September 1: Fares will increase by 21.5%.
• Post-September 1: A hiring freeze will be implemented.
• January 1: A second, more severe service cut will be carried out, resulting in the elimination of 50% of all current services.

These cuts would severely impact the region’s ability to host major international and national events scheduled for 2026, including the FIFA World Cup and the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations.

Stakeholder Positions and Economic Considerations

The legislative impasse reflects differing priorities among stakeholders:

• Proponents (Democrats, Governor’s Office, Transit Advocates): Argue that shoring up public transit is essential for the state’s economy, providing critical access to work, school, and healthcare, thereby supporting fundamental aspects of sustainable and equitable community life.
• Opponents (Republicans): Contend that transit agencies must improve efficiency, that highway infrastructure requires greater funding priority, and that riders should bear a larger portion of the operational costs through higher fares.

The situation is exacerbated by a nationwide trend of transit agencies struggling with rising operational costs and post-pandemic ridership levels that have not fully recovered.

Conclusion

The Pennsylvania legislature is at a critical decision point that extends beyond a simple budget allocation. The outcome of the deliberations on HB 1788 will have profound and lasting effects on the economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability of the Commonwealth. Securing a stable funding source for public transportation aligns directly with Pennsylvania’s potential to meet its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that its cities and communities remain accessible, inclusive, and resilient for the future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies that promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
    
    Explanation: The article highlights that without proper funding, SEPTA will be “unable to provide enhanced service for major tourist events next year,” including the FIFA World Cup, the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, the MLB All-Star game, and others. These events are crucial for tourism, which creates jobs and boosts the local economy, directly connecting the transit issue to this target.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
    
    Explanation: The entire article revolves around the funding and maintenance of public transportation infrastructure. The proposed legislation, HB 1788, aims to “fund transit systems, plus road and bridge projects” and “invest in SEPTA to avoid looming cuts.” This directly addresses the need for reliable and sustainable infrastructure to support the economy and public well-being.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all… by expanding public transport.
    
    Explanation: This is the most central target. The article emphasizes that shoring up public transit is “critical to the economy and making sure people can get to work, school and medical appointments.” The potential service cuts and fare hikes directly threaten the accessibility and affordability of the transport system for the residents of Philadelphia and other communities in Pennsylvania. The bill also aims to set “requirements for safety, efficiency and accountability in public transit.”

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
    
    Explanation: The article details the legislative process, political debate, and stalemate between the Pennsylvania House, Senate, and the Governor over funding public transit. The passage of HB 1788 in the House and the ongoing debate represent the functioning (or lack thereof) of state institutions. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for “commissioning the creation of performance standards for the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh transit agencies,” which is a direct effort to create more accountable and effective public service institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 9.1 and 11.2

  • Financial Investment: The article specifies a proposed increase in aid for transit agency operations by “$292 million.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of investment in sustainable infrastructure.
  • Service Levels: The threat to “cut half its services” provides a clear metric for the availability of public transport. Preventing these cuts would be a measure of success.
  • Fare Affordability: The planned fare rise of “21.5%” is a specific indicator related to the affordability of the transport system. Keeping fares stable would indicate progress.
  • Ridership Levels: The article mentions that transit agencies are struggling with “lagging ridership,” which can be used as an indicator to measure the system’s health and public reliance on it.

• For Target 16.6

  • Legislative Action: The passage of legislation, specifically “HB 1788,” serves as an indicator of institutional effectiveness in addressing public needs.
  • Performance Standards: The “creation of performance standards for the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh transit agencies” is a specific, measurable action toward making these institutions more accountable.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: 6abc.com