Contact Us

info@patransit.org

(215) 880-6142

Links

saveTransit
(PTC is a member of this coalition seeking support for dedicated funding.)

SEPTA

PPTA
Pennsylvania Public Transit Association
(This is the organization of public transit agencies in Pennsylvania.)

PenTrans
Pennsylvanians for Transportation Solutions

DVARP

Delware Valley Association of Rail Passengers
PTA
Pennsylvania Transportation Alliance
Works to ensure that accessible, affordable transportation is available to all PA citizens with disabilities
 

PAPTA

Pennsylvania Alliance of Public Transit Advocates

An alliance of groups like the PTC that are working together to fight for  more funding for public transportation.
 

Improving Public Transit

Long term, Major Changes in Public Transit

Public transit in the Greater Philadelphia region can be drastically improved. The most dramatic improvements will take both time and, even more importantly money. We need adequate maps and signs more frequent service, especially on our commuter rail lines; and an electronic fare system that make transfers easier, speed service; and allow SEPTA to better adjust fares to encourage ridership. We expect these major transformations in our transit service to be a major concern for Governor Rendell's transit reform commission. And it will be discussed in other places as well. The PTC intends to be a major participant in these debates about public transit improvements.  As always, our concern will be to inform the public and bring the concerns of riders to the fore in discussions about changes in our transit system.

Transit Improvements that We Can Make Now

A major transformation of our transit system will take time and substantial new funds. But there are other reforms that don't cost much money. For example:

• Minor changes in bus or train schedules would make transit service more useful to many people. During the course of our campaign we have frequently heard workers say such things as this; if a bus ran just five minutes later, they could get to it at the end of their shift instead of having to wait twenty minutes for the next bus.
   
• There are stations that need repairs and cleaning. For example, the tunnel under the Wissahickon Station track is a terribly dangerous place.  New light bulbs and some cleaning would make it much safer and more attractive.
   
• There are train stations that businessmen are eager to rehabilitate and turn over to productive uses.. Doing this would actually save SEPTA money. But SEPTA officials are sometimes reluctant to act because they fear community opposition.

Regular meetings with community groups. would enable SEPTA to know when schedules need minor modifications, or stations need some minor work, or when communities support train station rehabilitation. And regular meetings with the PTC would help us learn what kinds of service improvements are possible and what is not pssible, so as to better advise community groups  about the kinds of improvements worth seeking.

At the  March 2005 meeting of the SEPTA Board, the PTC proposed that SEPTA meet with community groups on a regular basis to discuss improvements in transit service. We are pleased to say that every member of the SEPTA Board who spoke at the meeting, including Chairman Deon, expressed support for our proposal. However, we have not yet found the funding sources to hire staff to bring this proposal to fruition.

Now is the time for the transit riding public and members of community groups to start creating a list of small changes and improvements that SEPTA could make at little cost to improve your service. Are there schedule minor changes that would make life easier for you? Are there stations or stops that are persistent dirty or unsafe? Are their opportunities for raising funds that SEPTA is missing? Are their train stations that need rehabilitation and that might be of interest to developers.

As the fight for transit funding continues, we hope to find the resources to build an on-going organization capable of doing the community outreach necessary to keeping SEPTA on its toes.