The Philly Transit Riders Union and supporting groups will hold a “People’s SEPTA Budget” public hearing at the same time as SEPTA’s Operating Budget hearings. SEPTA’s online-only budget hearings are often inaccessible, so we’re holding our own hearings.
On Monday, May 24 at 6pm come to SEPTA HQ at 1234 Market St. to tell everybody what it’s been like riding SEPTA, what should change, and to hear what it’s been like for other riders.
During the pandemic SEPTA riders dealt with severe service cuts and crowded buses. SEPTA workers truly sacrificed, while SEPTA executives apparently did not.
During the pandemic, the Route 23 bus and others were often crowded and passing up riders. Coming out of this pandemic, we want SEPTA to respect riders. Run more service when lines are crowded. Every rider deserves a seat.
Here’s what you can do:
- come to 1234 Market St on Monday 5/24 @ 6pm: Speak about how SEPTA has failed you and what you want them to do
- call 267-313-6060, leave a message as your testimony
- submit written testimony
Here’s example testimony:
“My name is ________ and I ride the 23 and the subway and I support the Transit Riders’ Union. I’ve had to deal with crowded buses through the pandemic, sometimes so crowded that I would just get off and wait for the next bus. I want SEPTA to run more buses on the crowded route 23. If I’m paying the fare, I should get a seat.”
We will submit all testimony to the SEPTA hearing examiner.
SEPTA has the potential to effect real change in the Delaware Valley. Unfortunately, here are some of the ways they fell short in the past year:
- April 2020, rider dragged off SEPTA bus. SEPTA’s unclear and contradictory mask policy lead to police violence
- May 2020, severe service cuts: “I am an essential worker who takes the bus to work every day. Due to decreased service, I have no choice but to stand in close quarters with other passengers, risking the health of myself and others”
- June 2020-present, SEPTA uses buses to transport police to racial justice protests
- Sept 2020-present, SEPTA cuts service to crowded routes during the pandemic
- Jan 2021, SEPTA refuses to fire at least 7 SEPTA cops who attended the rally before the right-wing coup attempt on Jan 6. They were suspended for 3 days.
- Feb 2021, SEPTA uses $40 million in COVID relief money intended to fund transit operations to plan a construction project instead
- SEPTA workers risked their lives through the pandemic, executives did a PR stunt
What they’ve done right? SEPTA should be commended for delaying 2020 fare increases until 2023.
We need you to tell SEPTA management to do better. Hope to see you on Monday May 24, 6pm @ 1234 Market St.