PHILADELPHIA, PA
Philadelphia transit riders and advocates celebrate the release of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s FY 2027 budget. The Mayor’s plan provides needed funding for critical transit investments including the nationally recognized Zero Fare program, municipal Key Advantage, and increased resources for SEPTA. The budget announcement comes after a week of action that culminated in a rally at City Hall with state elected officials, union leaders, and community advocates from across Philadelphia calling for Zero Fare and Key Advantage to be funded in the city budget.
Transit Forward Philadelphia appreciates the leadership of Minority Whip Nicolas O’Rourke (WFP, At-Large) and contributions from leaders throughout the Philadelphia City Council for supporting these programs. Councilmember O’Rourke shared, “Our mayor made a great choice in continuing to prioritize transit access through funding Zero Fare and Key Advantage. These programs help generate the positive feedback loops that SEPTA needs, and keeps—as with so many of our constituents—affordability front of mind. I thank the Philadelphians who made it clear that transit access is, and will be, a priority in their communities.”
Gloria ‘Smooches’ Cartagena Hart, a community organizer with Kensington Corridor Trust shared, I work with families throughout the Kensington community and would love to thank Mayor Parker for supporting all Philadelphians that are living paycheck to paycheck. With Zero Fare funded, now families will not have the extra concern of how they’ll get to where they need to go.”
Julio Rodriguez, Policy Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP) said, “BCGP is glad that mobility investments were prioritized in the budget. All Philadelphians must have freedom of mobility. The Mayor's Key Advantage and Zero Fare investment ensure that over 60,000 income-eligible community members and 13,000 employees have that opportunity. BCGP is glad to see there is level funding for Vision Zero and we look forward to working with our members and allies to advocate for increased funding through this year's budget cycle.”
Transit Forward Philadelphia Coalition Manager, Stephen Bronskill shared, “Nearly a year after a 21.5% SEPTA fare increase, transit riders should not have to balance paying for food, medical care, and bus fare. Thanks to this announcement, tens of thousands of Philadelphians living near the poverty line are breathing easier now that their Zero Fare cards will be funded through July 2027. We applaud Mayor Parker for her leadership and for listening to the voices of transit riders. Zero Fare has been called ‘America’s best low income transit program’ due to its low barriers to entry for participants. We look forward to working with members of the Philadelphia City Council to ensure that this innovative program remains fully funded through the budget process.”
Bronskill went on to share the path forward for transit advocates in Philly, “City leaders should make the Zero Fare program permanent by establishing a Transit Access Fund. This would expand access to transit for low income Philadelphians and give Zero Fare participants certainty that their rides to work and opportunities are preserved. It also makes SEPTA more affordable for everyone by making Key Advantage programs for workplaces, schools, and housing more accessible. Additionally, state elected leaders should recognize that Philly is doing its part to invest in transit and pass a state budget that includes sustainable funding for transit agencies across PA.”
Transit Forward Philadelphia is a coalition of 37 organizations supporting a safe, accessible, and sustainable transit network in the Philadelphia region. Learn more at transitforwardphilly.org.
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