Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania House Democrats sent a unified message to Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday, stating that the Republican-controlled Senate is responsible for SEPTA’s fiscal predicament—not their party.
The response came one day after Duffy’s letter to Shapiro outlined concerns about SEPTA’s $213 million operational deficit and the safety of Silverliner IV cars serving the Regional Rail. The National Transportation Safety Board recommended on October 1 that these cars be removed from service after five fires broke out during service this year.
The Federal Rail Administration gave SEPTA 30 days to complete inspections and repairs on the 225 Silverliner IV cars, many of which have been in use for over 50 years.
### Budget Issues and Funding Concerns
Duffy’s letter called out Governor Shapiro’s use of highway funds last year and highlighted the still-unpassed state budget. He also warned that using capital funds to cover current budget deficits “are not sustainable” and could worsen safety conditions.
In a post to the social media app X, Shapiro defended his record of funding SEPTA, including flexing $153 million in highway funds last year and proposing $165 million in new funding this year. Tagging Duffy’s official account, Shapiro wrote, “If you want to be helpful here, call your fellow Republicans and tell them to bring this to my desk.”
### Response from Philadelphia House Democrats
A statement from the Philadelphia House delegation on Friday expanded upon the governor’s sentiments, calling Duffy’s concerns “three months too late.” The statement invited Duffy to tour the SEPTA system, including Republican-controlled Senate districts that would suffer if Regional Rail service were cut over safety concerns.
“We have been sounding the alarm for years about the need to find a long-term, sustainable funding solution for SEPTA, and the Pennsylvania House has passed numerous bills to provide that funding for SEPTA and all mass transit systems in Pennsylvania, without raising taxes,” the statement reads in part.
“Yet Senate Republicans put up roadblocks every time and even urged SEPTA to use their own capital funds to fill the gap. Interestingly, Secretary Duffy agrees with us that the transfer of capital funds for operations is not sustainable and will lead to further safety failures.
“But he’s pointing the finger in the wrong direction in some weak attempt to play politics — the fault lies strictly with the Senate Republicans for forcing SEPTA’s hand,” it added.
“Gov. Shapiro has worked tirelessly for years alongside House Democrats and Senate Democrats to address this crisis by fighting for new revenues and securing funding. We are grateful for his leadership and his actions to support SEPTA.”
### Additional Concerns Raised by Duffy
Duffy’s letter also detailed other concerns, including the safety threat posed by Proterra electric buses that have caught fire in storage lots. He further highlighted over $55 million owed to the federal government after the failed procurement of new rail cars from Chinese manufacturer CRRC.
SEPTA awarded the CRRC contract in 2017 but ended it in 2024 without any cars delivered and with millions more spent. The letter accuses Governor Shapiro of “inaction and negligent oversight” and states that experts will be “deployed to overhaul SEPTA’s practices.”
“SEPTA has not demonstrated sufficient capacity on its own to mitigate these significant safety and fiscal concerns,” the letter concluded. “Lacking effective action from Pennsylvania leaders, I will take all necessary enforcement action to protect SEPTA customers from unsafe conditions.”
### SEPTA’s Response and Ongoing Efforts
SEPTA General Manager and CEO Scott Sauer addressed the letter Friday after cutting the ribbon on a new elevator at the Tasker-Morris Station on the Broad Street Line. The $19 million project was mostly funded by the state and brings the station into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
SEPTA has also begun installing taller fare gates at stations like City Hall to prevent fare evasion, which has caused millions in lost revenue annually.
Sauer emphasized that SEPTA is focused on completing inspections of “the oldest rail fleet in the country by October 31.”
“We are working as hard as we can, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said of the deadline. “We are going to make every effort to meet that deadline but should something occur, we’re going to communicate that with the FRA and see what comes of it.”
### Political Perspectives on Funding
House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris shared a personal connection to the Tasker-Morris stop, recalling how he used the Broad Street Line to visit his mother’s house.
While mass transit funding was dropped from the $47.9 billion budget passed by the Senate earlier this week, Harris remains committed to finding a solution for SEPTA.
“My hope is that my colleagues in the Senate Republican caucus were paying attention, and hopefully this gives them what is necessary to come to the table and do something long-term on mass transit,” Harris said. “Now that you see that even the U.S. Secretary of Transportation sees the necessity for funding mass transit.”
### Senate Republicans’ Response
In response to the Democrats’ remarks, a spokesperson for Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin sent a statement to The Philadelphia Tribune.
“The issues Secretary Duffy raised in his letter speak to years of mismanagement at SEPTA. Senate Republicans were trying to put stronger guardrails on the system to tackle these issues, including addressing their financial challenges,” the statement reads.
“It is unfortunate SEPTA, Gov. Shapiro and House Democrats were unwilling to consider alternatives to clean up the mess they created and be held accountable.”
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The situation highlights ongoing challenges facing SEPTA’s funding and safety issues amid political disagreements. As pressure mounts from federal and state officials alike, transit riders await decisive action to secure SEPTA’s future and ensure safe, reliable service.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/in-rebuttal-pa-democrats-blame-gop-for-septa-funding-woes/article_a880dbb9-200c-4b5f-9bd6-f193d9fb2885.html
