LANCASTER, PA — At the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association’s annual conference yesterday, key figures from the state’s transportation sector gathered to discuss the critical role of public transit in bolstering Pennsylvania’s economy. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll, alongside industry leaders, highlighted Governor Josh Shapiro’s groundbreaking budget proposal, which earmarks an additional $282.8 million for transit funding, marking the most significant investment in over a decade.
This infusion of funds, derived from allocating an additional 1.75 percent of the Pennsylvania Sales Tax to the Public Transportation Trust Fund, is poised to transform the state’s transit landscape. “Public transit doesn’t just get seniors to medical appointments and bring people to work – the overall industry making the products and vehicles transit providers need is an important part of Pennsylvania’s economy,” Carroll emphasized, underscoring the broader economic benefits of enhancing the state’s transit infrastructure.
The proposed investment aims not only to maintain but to elevate the quality of transit services across Pennsylvania, ensuring clean, safe, and reliable transportation options for its residents. This initiative is expected to directly support jobs across the state, with the public transportation sector already a significant source of employment and business opportunities.
According to data from the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association (PPTA), between 2018 and 2023, association members procured $2.5 billion in goods and services from Pennsylvania companies, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between public transit and the local economy. Shawna Jones, Executive Director of PPTA, noted, “Transit means business and jobs for Pennsylvanians. Transit agencies across PA employ 17,000 people directly.” She further elaborated on the cascading effect of these investments, from job creation within the sector to facilitating access to employment for the broader populace, thereby fueling economic growth.
The conference also showcased Pennsylvania-based companies that supply equipment or vehicles to public transit providers, including United Safety & Survivability Corporation, TSI Video, and BusStuf, Inc. These businesses represent the diverse ecosystem of suppliers that benefit from robust public transit funding.
Public transportation is essential for many Pennsylvanians, with 64 percent of fixed-route service users reporting no alternative means of transportation. The state boasts comprehensive transit options, including shared ride services in all 67 counties, fixed route bus service in 49 counties, and fixed route rail service in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
To enhance accessibility to these services, the state has developed the Find My Ride (FMR) tool, a pioneering online platform that simplifies the application process for various transportation assistance programs. FMR Apply, a component of this tool, allows individuals and third parties, such as family members or healthcare providers, to apply for services on behalf of a rider, streamlining access to essential transit services for seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those requiring medical transportation.
Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal represents a step towards reinforcing the nexus between public transportation and economic vitality in Pennsylvania. By investing in transit, the state not only commits to improving the daily lives of its residents but also catalyzes job creation, supports local businesses, and lays the groundwork for sustainable economic development. As this proposal moves through the legislative process, it carries with it the potential to redefine Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure and its impact on the state’s economy.
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