Public transit is a public right. We call on city and transit leaders to establish and fully fund a Transit Access Fund (TAF) so no one in Philadelphia is blocked from work, school, childcare, worship, or a doctor’s visit because of a fare or unreliable service. Fares and service cuts hit working families first and hardest. A modest, dedicated public investment can reduce barriers for low‑income riders and strengthen the system for everyone.
What we support:
- Creating a dedicated local revenue stream to make transit free for low‑income riders, with clear, equitable eligibility and simple enrollment. This should complement (not replace) broader investments to keep buses, subways, and trolleys reliable.
- Using the fund to help stabilize SEPTA’s finances and protect riders from service reductions and overcrowding that we’ve seen threatened during recent budget crises.
- Prioritizing relief for those who rely on transit most—workers, seniors, people with disabilities, students, and families—so no one has to choose between a fare and a necessity.
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Leveraging a small public investment to significantly increase ridership - greatly improving system frequency, safety, and reliability for all Philadelphians.
Why this matters now:
- Philadelphia’s working‑class communities—especially in North/Northwest, Overbrook, and West/Southwest—depend on transit daily; affordability is a basic cost‑of‑living issue.
- The recent funding crisis showed how fragile service can be; we need long‑term fixes that make transit affordable and dependable, not temporary patches.
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A robust Transit Access Fund helps support a multi‑racial riders’ movement that can win lasting state and local transit investments in the years ahead.
Our call to action:
We call on City leadership and SEPTA to introduce, pass, and implement a Transit Access Fund with:
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A dedicated revenue source aligned with equity goals;
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Affordability benefits targeted to low‑income riders (and other high‑need groups) with clear, accessible enrollment; and
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Public reporting and community oversight to ensure the fund reaches those it is meant to serve and improves service quality citywide.
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