Earlier this month, Transit Forward Philadelphia along with the Temple University Office of Sustainability hosted the Transit Equity Day workshop to reflect Governor Shapiro’s recent budget announcement.
The session was attended both in person and virtually as participants eagerly provided their unique perspectives on their current experiences with transit across the region. Discussions touched on a wide range of topics, from accessibility issues to the challenges of funding transit agencies. Participants highlighted concerns such as the need for improved infrastructure and the importance of better communication between riders and transit authorities
Finally as the session drew to a conclusion, the participants came up with a game plan on what can be done to improve transit in the region. Suggestions ranged from small, inexpensive changes like adding benches and improving signage at bus stops to more substantial initiatives, such as lobbying the Pennsylvania government to not only increase funding for transit, but also allow local counties greater flexibility in how they fund their transit agencies, moving beyond reliance on property taxes.
The discussions during this workshop highlighted not just the challenges, but the collective determination to drive meaningful change in Philadelphia's transit system. As initiatives like “Week Without Driving” and “Transit to Trail” take shape, it’s clear that the region’s transit future rests on the voices of those who ride, advocate, and work to make transit more equitable and accessible for all.
There's still time to sign up for the upcoming virtual summits on February 27 and April 2nd. These are all hands on deck! Expect to join breakout rooms of fellow riders and operators from across PA to build out our goals for service, investments in new capital projects, and dignity and safety for workers and riders. Then in session two, we'll share our skills and connections to build our campaign for victory.
