State Rep. Steve Malagari
“Cutting public transport service would be like throwing sand in the engine and expecting it to still work.”
(The following is a Letter to the Editor submitted to North Penn Now, courtesy of State Rep. Steve Malgari, D-53. The views expressed are his own and are not representative of North Penn Now.)
Dear Editor,
Growing up in Lansdale, the local train station was both a site of constant movement and an unmoving constant. The building has been the town’s defining landmark for well over a century—a starting point from which people leave on journeys large and small. Daily commutes to work, short jaunts to visit friends, and grand international vacations all start with getting on the SEPTA train in Lansdale.
When I was starting out in the working world, I relied on SEPTA to take me to work at CHOP and bring me back home every weekday for six years. When I was elected as State Representative, I chose to open my office directly across from that train station, where each day we watch thousands of people come and go to work, to school, to shop, to health care appointments and more. SEPTA is so much a part of our daily life in this region that it can easily be taken for granted.
But we can’t assume it will always be there. SEPTA is facing a budget crisis right now that could severely impact service. Some bus and train routes would be forced to run on reduced schedules. Other routes would be eliminated entirely.
The impact would be catastrophic not just to southeastern PA, but for the entire commonwealth. Though SEPTA’s footprint sits on just 5% of the state, it generates more than 40% of our total economic output. Those trips drive Pennsylvania’s economic engine—cutting public transport service would be like throwing sand in that engine and expecting it to still work.
And the timing could not be worse. Next year, that engine will rev up as our region hosts the America 250 celebration, the FIFA World Cup, NCAA March Madness, the MLB All-Star Game and the PGA Championship. Millions of people will visit and rely on our public transportation system to get them safely and efficiently to all the sites and events.
That’s why on June 17, I voted “yes” on H.B. 1364, legislation that would boost state funding for public transit systems across Pennsylvania. Now, we need the state Senate to do the same.
The more people in our community call on them to act on H.B. 1364, the better the bill’s chances, so please consider contacting your state senator. Tell them to support proper funding for SEPTA. Tell them that our local businesses, students, workers, and seniors are relying on them to do the right thing. Let’s keep SEPTA moving and keep Pennsylvania moving forward.
Sincerely,
Steve Malagari
Lansdale, PA
Pennsylvania State Representative – 53rd Legislative District
