April 5, 2007
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Public hearings for the SEPTA Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget are scheduled for April 10-16. During the public hearings SEPTA will provide specific information detailing possible fare increases and service cuts proposed for the Operating Budget.
Facing a projected budget deficit of $150 million on a proposed operating budget of $1.022 billion, SEPTA staff has developed budget plans that will address the shortfall based on the receipt of additional state subsidies as well as without added state funding.
The initial budget shortfall has been impacted by a number of SEPTA actions that have resulted in an anticipated reduction in the budget shortfall to $129 million. To address the shortfall, Budget Plan A includes an 11% fare increase that will generate $29 million in additional revenue while SEPTA would seek $100 million in state subsidy. However, without additional state subsidies SEPTA would be forced to implement the much more extreme and drastic measures in Budget Plan B. Plan B includes a 31% fare increase that will generate $69 million in additional revenue and a 20% across the board service reduction that would save $60 million in expenses. This plan would result in ridership loss of approximately 20%.In addition, as part of Plan B about 1,000 SEPTA jobs would be eliminated.
The public hearings are scheduled for:
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Delaware County Meeting Room
201 W. Front Street
Media, PA 19063
2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Montgomery County Human Service Center
(formerly Sacred Heart Hospital)
Community Room – Main Floor
1430 DeKalb Pike
Norristown, PA 19404
2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Pennsylvania Convention Center
One Convention Center Place
1101 Arch Street, Room 204 ABC
Phila, PA 19107
11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Friday, April 13, 2007
West Chester Borough Hall
Council Chambers
401 E. Gay Street
West Chester PA 19380
2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Bucks County Free Library
Pearl Buck Meeting Room
150 South Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
After the conclusion of the public hearings, a hearing examiner’s recommendation will be presented to the SEPTA Board. The SEPTA Board is scheduled to consider the budget proposal at its May 24 Board meeting. The proposals effective date for fare increases and service reductions is July 1, 2007. While SEPTA is hopeful that efforts in Harrisburg will result in a long term solution and that the Budget Plan B option will not be necessary, SEPTA must be prepared to take actions to balance the budget.
