Spending Priorities
Origins of SEPTA

Despite surges in gas prices, a vibrant job market in center city, and strong regional interest in expanding rail service in Pennsylvania, the SEPTA agency in the Delaware Valley has squandered millions of taxpayer dollars on non-essential projects labeled as "State of Good Repair" while needed improvements remain off the budget.

SEPTA was originally created in the 1960s to operate several transit companies that could no longer exist as private organizations. It was not until 1976 when the Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads exited the railroad business and dumped railroad operations into SEPTA's lap. By 1983, SEPTA had completely eliminated diesel rail service on all non-electrified routes; within 28 years, these routes were converted into walking trails. This destruction of public infrastructure is a direct violation of the laws that govern SEPTA's existence.
Read SEPTA's enabling legislation here.

Resources

Use this page to learn more from government resources, local agencies, and civic groups about transportation planning and projects, and how tax dollars are steered away from good investments.

PA-TEC also makes available several position statements regarding regional planning and SEPTA's capital and operational spending practices that have prevented the Delaware Valley from reclaiming its lost transit services.