PA Lt. Gov. Stresses SEPTA Support In Lower Bucks Co. Visit

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — PA Lt. Gov. Austin Davis took a train ride from Bucks County to Philadelphia on Tuesday, touting the need for SEPTA's services to continue despite a budget crunch that would cause severe cuts.

During a press conference at SEPTA’s Croydon Station on Tuesday morning, Davis stressed the importance of investing in mass transit to create jobs, connect communities, and grow the economy of the Commonwealth.

Davis called for the state Senate to act now to boost funding for Pennsylvania’s 52 transit systems and emphasized that transit is key to the Commonwealth’s economic success.

“Every single dollar invested in transit generates $5 dollars in economic activity,” Davis said. “We have big events coming in 2026 – America’s 250th birthday, the World Cup and the All-Star Game – that are going to be big revenue generators, but we need public transit to get all of those visitors where they need to go. The state House is taking action to provide more funding for mass transit. Now it’s time for my colleagues in the Senate to act."

Hours before the state House approved transit funding legislation by a bipartisan vote, Davis was joined at the SEPTA station at 751 Bristol Pike, Croydon, by representatives from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and leaders from local employers before boarding a Trenton Line Regional Rail train to travel to Suburban Station in downtown Philadelphia.

The Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 budget proposal calls for significant investment in mass transit, and road and bridge infrastructure all across the Commonwealth, ensuring Pennsylvanians can get where they need to go.

“SEPTA service is critical to our region and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, enabling unparalleled economic activity,” SEPTA Board Chairman Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. said. “SEPTA is one of the most efficient transit agencies in the country, and we have worked hard as an authority to reduce expenses, generate new revenue, and improve efficiencies. We are grateful to Lt. Governor Davis’ efforts on behalf of public transportation and look forward to working with the Shapiro Administration and legislative leaders to ensure that SEPTA and transit agencies in every Pennsylvania county can continue to deliver their vital service.”

SEPTA faces a $213 million budget deficit starting July 1.

Without a permanent funding solution, SEPTA will have to raise fares by more than 20 percent and be forced to take drastic steps to irreversibly shrink the system, including eliminating 50 bus routes and five regional rail lines, reducing service by 20 percent on all remaining routes, creating a 9 p.m. curfew on Metro and Regional Rail routes, and eliminating all special services, such as sports express service to and from the stadiums.

The Trenton Line would also be eliminated under the proposed SEPTA cuts. Lower Bucks County legislators protested that move.

A study projects 2 million additional daily vehicle miles will be traveled in Philadelphia and its four bordering counties if the proposed SEPTA cuts go through.

The Shapiro-Davis 2025–26 budget proposal includes $292 million in new mass transit funding next year, the first significant increase in state support for mass transit in more than a decade.

“Full funding for SEPTA and other mass transit is critical for our communities and our economy,” said state Sen. Steve Santarsiero. “Those of us who were in the legislature back in 2013 and voted for Act 89 did so because we knew it was an important investment in infrastructure and mass transit. Now, 12 years later, we see what happens if we don’t continue to maintain those investments. I thank Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis’ commitment to funding mass transit in this year’s budget and applaud my colleagues in the House for voting today to fund our transit agencies. I call on our Republican leadership in the Senate to do the right thing and bring the bill up for a vote.”

Related Stories

2M More Miles Driven In Philly Area If SEPTA Cuts Passed

SEPTA Fare Hikes, Service Declines Coming

SEPTA Regional Rail Schedule Changing