SEPTA Gets $96M From American Rescue Plan

Philadelphia PA

03 March, 2022

11:31 AM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA is getting nearly $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) Thursday said SEPTA is getting $96,017,640 in new funding from the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan, passed in March 2021, provided relief to families, businesses, local governments and others to help ease the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Democrats passed the American Rescue Plan to help jumpstart our economy during the COVID-19 pandemic," Casey said. "Lower ridership during the pandemic led to lost revenue and service cuts for SEPTA. When Pennsylvanians can't rely on public transportation to get to work, our entire region suffers. This funding will help SEPTA get back on track and recover from the pandemic, which in turn will be a boon for Philadelphia and all of Southeastern Pennsylvania." Casey is set to announce full details of the funding Friday. "SEPTA is at a critical moment, and we are grateful for the support of Sen. Casey and our Congressional delegation members who worked to include this assistance in the American Rescue Plan Act," said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr. "We are fortunate to be represented by elected officials who understand that transportation is an investment, not a cost." "SEPTA has been providing essential service throughout the pandemic, and we are committed to supporting the recovery ahead," said SEPTA General Manager/CEO Leslie S. Richards. "As the region continues to reopen and more riders return to SEPTA, this emergency operating assistance will allow SEPTA to maintain the safe, efficient and vital transit service our region needs."