Keystone Today

WASHINGTON, DC – Pennsylvania U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey, joined by Representatives Brendan Boyle (PA-2), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), today sent aletter urging the Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration to provide federal funds to support additional capacity on SEPTA following the collapse of a bridge on I-95.

According to brand new numbers released this morning, since the collapse of I-95, regional rail ridership on SEPTA has jumped at least 14%. Yesterday, Sen. Fetterman, Sen. Casey, and Rep. Boyle announced that the Federal Highway Administration would provide $3 million in emergency funds to begin rebuilding the bridge – but federal funding has not yet been approved to expand SEPTA capacity while bridge reconstruction continues.

“As we work on the federal level to support the Commonwealth in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, public transportation must play a central role,” the letter reads. “By helping SEPTA increase capacity and provide a viable alternative to the surface roads, we can reduce congestion on the detour routes while also protecting pedestrians and cyclists who use these roads.

“Our understanding is that SEPTA’s expanded capacity would be eligible for Emergency Relief funds,” it continues. “Any other funding mechanisms should be moved at the fastest possible speed. We hope that the Department of Transportation will explore all options, including additional Emergency Relief funds and other flexibilities, to provide immediate support to SEPTA.”

In a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing with the Administrator of the FHWA earlier this week, Senator Fetterman suggested that SEPTA’s regional rail and subway lines could be critically useful tools to ease congestion and keep Philadelphia’s streets safe while the highway is closed for reconstruction. He asked Administrator Shailen Bhatt if Emergency Relief or other funds could help with SEPTA’s temporary operating costs to make transit a viable alternative for local travel.

A full copy of today’s letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Secretary Buttigieg, Administrator Bhatt, and Administrator Fernandez:

Thank you for your rapid response to the I-95 bridge collapse this week. We are grateful for the support the Department and the Federal Highway Administration have offered to the Commonwealth already and look forward to working together in the coming weeks to get the repairs finished as quickly as possible.

As we work on the federal level to support the Commonwealth in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, public transportation must play a central role. SEPTA’s regional rail and subway lines could help local riders – who make up a substantial portion of the 160,000 drivers who use this portion of I-95 daily – continue to navigate the city. By helping SEPTA increase capacity and provide a viable alternative to the surface roads, we can reduce congestion on the detour routes while also protecting pedestrians and cyclists who use these roads.

Federal support should encompass the entire response to the collapse – including transit services. SEPTA has already increased the frequency of the regional rail lines running parallel to I-95 and added cars to the regional rail and Market-Frankford Lines. If we deliver rapid federal support for SEPTA operations, the agency will be able to continue and broaden these service expansions to meet the clear need.Our understanding is that SEPTA’s expanded capacity would be eligible for Emergency Relief funds. Any other funding mechanisms should be moved at the fastest possible speed. We hope that the Department of Transportation will explore all options, including additional Emergency Relief funds and other flexibilities, to provide immediate support to SEPTA.

We look forward to working with the Department and the Commonwealth to tap any other available funds to support transit operations. Strong and reliable transit services can be a game-changer as we respond to this collapse – we must not ignore it.

Original source can be found here.