It’s Time for Dedicated Transportation Funding

Without a resolution to Pennsylvania’s transportation funding crisis our region will experience an economic heart attack. This is the position the Chamber is taking as we join business, labor, and community groups to ask legislators to address this issue.

Statewide, Pennsylvania has a $1.7 billion annual transportation funding need, including highways, bridges and transit. 

SEPTA is facing increased fares and a reduction in service because of a funding gap. This will mean greater hardships for employees and work disruptions for employers, especially for retail businesses, hospitals and educational facilities.  In addition to the thousands of city-to-suburbs transit riders, an estimated 70 percent of the Center City workforce arrives on public transportation.

Meanwhile, our roads and bridges are silently deteriorating, creating the potential for even more travel disruptions or a disaster.

As business leaders, we share a common goal - to improve the competitiveness of Greater Philadelphia.  Essential to our efforts is a sound investment strategy for Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure.  This includes:

• a statewide dedicated funding source for public transit that is broad-based, predictable and inflation-sensitive to end chronic operating budget shortfalls and allow for planning and growth.
• a capital program employing prudent use of debt and innovative financing tools that enables highways, bridges and transit systems to complete good repair initiatives and address changing regional needs.

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has offered public testimony on SEPTA's proposed fare increases and service cuts. Governor Rendell and lawmakers recently received a letter from the Chamber that described the unanimous motion passed at a Chamber Board meeting. The motion states that the financial crisis facing SEPTA and our region is immediate and demands prompt action by elected officials in Harrisburg.

Communication between and among stakeholders and decision makers is vital as we work to reform transportation funding in Pennsylvania.  Therefore, we are asking you to take a moment to contact your state legislature or the Governor directly through a personal visit, telephone call or e-mail. Click here to contact your own elected official through our Web site.