Governor Shapiro's 2024-25 budget proposes $282.8 million for the public transit systems that Pennsylvanians rely on, with service provided by more than 6,000 transit operators statewide.
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll with Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association Executive Director Shawna Jones, and a rabbittransit operator highlighted how Governor Shapiro's budget proposal to invest in transit agencies would not just stabilize and improve service, but also help retain and attract the workforce critical to the services Pennsylvanians rely on. They also encouraged transit riders to mark National Transit Operator Appreciation Day by thanking transit drivers – among the more than 6,000 full- and part-time operators statewide – for their service and skill.
“Governor Shapiro's proposal shows that he values safe, clean public transit, service that is possible because of the people who provide hundreds of thousands of transit trips every day," Carroll said. “I invite everyone to thank their transit driver today because without the more than 6,000 drivers across PA, people could not get to their jobs, appointments, and more."
The Governor's Budget proposes an additional $282.8 million investment for transit – the first of its kind in over a decade. This would be achieved with an additional 1.75 percent of the Pennsylvania Sales Tax being deposited into the Public Transportation Trust Fund.
“A million times a day across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvanians choose transit to take them where they need to go. Be it to work, to learn, to shop, or receive medical attention, in all 67 counties, transit takes them there," Jones said. “These vital connections- urban and rural alike- underscore the importance of the Governor's prioritization for additional state investment in public transit, as we continue working to deliver safe and reliable first-class transit systems throughout the Commonwealth."
On average, 64 percent of the people who use fixed-route services say that they have no alternate means of transportation. The Governor's commonsense transit proposal would help transit agencies meet Pennsylvanians' needs while combatting investing in their workforce.
“Transit means business. Employers rely on our services to access a pool of talented employees, and businesses depend on us to bring customers to their doors," said rabbittransit operator Lionel Randolph. “We're more than drivers. We're people's lifeline to where they need to go and be. I love getting people to work, we have essential workers, we carry people to the hospitals, to warehouses."
Public transportation services are available in every county in Pennsylvania, including:
- Shared ride service in all 67 counties;
- Fixed route bus service in 49 counties; and
- Fixed route rail service in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
The public is encouraged to learn about public transit options and apply for transportation assistance programs through the Commonwealth's Find My Ride (FMR) tool. FMR includes FMR Apply, an online tool which was developed collaboratively with transit agencies and streamlines the application process for transportation assistance programs in the state, including the Senior Shared Ride program, the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), ADA complementary paratransit, the Persons with Disabilities program; the Free Transit Program; and fixed route half/reduced fare for persons with disabilities. In counties where they're available, eligible residents can apply for Area Agency on Aging funded trips for people 60-64 and discounted shared ride service for veterans.
Additionally, FMR Apply allows third parties – such as a family member or healthcare provider – to apply for services on behalf of a rider.
More information on public transit and alternative transportation options like ridesharing, biking, and walking, is available on PennDOT's website.
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CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, alecampbel@pa.gov or Erin Waters-Trasatt, ewaterstra@pa.gov, PennDOT, 717-783-8800
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