Lt. Gov. Davis urges Pennsylvania Senate to pass mass transit funding bill

Just before boarding a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) regional rail train to Philadelphia, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis urged the state Senate to enhance funding for Pennsylvania's 52 transit systems. He stressed that public transit is vital for the state's economic prosperity.

"Every single dollar invested in transit generates $5 dollars in economic activity," Davis stated. "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."

Earlier, the state House approved transit funding legislation through a bipartisan vote. Davis appeared with SEPTA leaders, transit workers, and local officials at a news conference at a SEPTA station in Bucks County as part of the Shapiro-Davis Administration's effort for increased transit funding. The newly passed legislation also includes funds for road and bridge repairs throughout Pennsylvania. Although the state House has repeatedly voted in favor of mass transit support, it now awaits Senate approval.

The speakers included SEPTA Board Chair Ken Lawrence, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Sen. Steve Santarsiero, TWU Local 234 Secretary-Treasurer Joe Coccio, and Bucks County TMA Executive Director Stephen Noll.