Pennsylvania state transportation officials and an operator from rabbittransit, a Pennsylvania regional public transportation provider, recently spoke about how Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal to invest in transit agencies would benefit Pennsylvanians.
The proposal would invest an additional $282.8 million in transit by depositing an additional 1.75 percent of the Pennsylvania Sales Tax into the Public Transportation Trust Fund.
In Pennsylvania, public transportation services are available in every county including fixed route bus service in 49 counties and fixed route rail service in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Shared ride service is available statewide.
Of those who use fixed-route services, an average of 64 percent say that they have no alternate means of transportation.
“A million times a day across the commonwealth, Pennsylvanians choose transit to take them where they need to go,” Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association Executive Director Shawna Jones said. “Be it to work, to learn, to shop, or receive medical attention, in all 67 counties, transit takes them there. 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.”
The officials also encouraged riders to thank their drivers for National Transit Operator Appreciation Day.