Thread by @5thSq

Starting in 30 minutes! We'll be live-tweeting and livestreaming the discussion here

https://twitter.com/transit4philly/status/1333420641953918977

Watch on FB Live:
fb.watch/24RHUmaLki/

Over 160 participants from all over Greater Philadelphia!
#SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

Moderator @PatriciaMadej (@PhillyInquirer): SEPTA is losing about $1M day in operating losses, but also facing a long-term funding crisis from PA Turnpike payment withdrawal.
#SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

Q to SEPTA GM @_LeslieRichards: What will be the consequences for transit riders in Phila and region w/o new funding?
A: Looking into halting service, cutting rail lines & stations, staffing levels. Impacts will be long-standing, slow to resume
#SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

Richards: Even the slightest cuts will have major impacts, especially for those who truly rely on transit. Will be making decisions carefully, will engage with public and open to ideas. Expecting federal bailout package by end of year #SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

SEPTA is still in decision-making process, before then there is no set date for planned hearings. "It will be bad news". Looking at partial reductions, removed stops, full route closures
#SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

PA 3rd Dist Rep @RepDwightEvans: 3 members from PA on Ways & Means, Transpo & Infra Committee will be huge. Expecting big support from president-elect Biden. HEROES Act , which includes a transit package, is stuck in the Senate

https://twitter.com/transit4philly/status/1333455105862066178

Q for @PennDOTNews Jennie Granger: Suspension of Act 89 payments to PennDOT occurs tomorrow: How does this affect PennDOT, and how is PennDOT working with Turnpike on deferred transit payments?

Started talking last year about PennDOT fiscal cliff, ($450M->$50M transit capital funding). Impact of COVID compounds on original crisis. Mobility councils convened and published report on future funding solutions
#SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

Q to Richards: What is level of funding SEPTA needs to build its capital projects?
Other agencies still receive more funding than SEPTA ($700M). Trolley Mod serves 80,000+ riders. KOP Rail for 3rd largest job center. Asking for addn'l $400M/year
#SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

Contracts to nearly 1000 companies in 38 PA counties will go away without transit funding. It is a statewide and interstate commerce as much as it is Philly-specific
#SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

Granger: Ridership on PA buses statewide as high as 50-80% of normal ridership. Amtrak Pennsylvanian ridership already hitting 50% capacity limit. Keystone ridership is much slower to recover as it is significantly commuter-based
#SaveTransit #TransitIsTheFuture

SEPTA has contacted major employers to ask about reopening scenarios for workers. But as ridership figures everywhere show, we need to really focus on retaining the off-peak ridership that has held stable throughout the pandemic!

https://twitter.com/transit4philly/status/1333462496200552452

PennDOT's Granger reiterates insufficiency of finding local sources to completely replace statewide transit funding. One revenue source we would have liked to hear discussed: congestion pricing.