I went to go buy some tokens about two weeks ago and looked at the chart on the outside of the toll booth to see how much money I needed for two bags. It read $13. I wasn't about to argue with the sign and I got my ten tokens and walked away. I thought that the fare was supposed to increase. Maybe I missed a story in the Inquirer?
Well, on Monday, this story was in the Inquirer and solved the mystery.
This is a good day. There will be no need for service cuts, layoffs or fare increases. Riders have certainty.That's what Gov. Rendell said at 30th Street Station.
As a result, Rendell said [Monday] he would request that regional transportation planning agencies direct $412 million of $666 million in new federal highway funding to keep buses and trains running during the next two years.Apparently, PennDot was told, on February 3rd [my birthday, so you're welcome], that they would be receiving more federal monies in the coming years for Pennsylvania's highways. Hopefully, that amount is more than $412 M or else there's surely gonna be hell to pay.
Well, it's good news for us who use SEPTA. It's also very good news for all of those whose jobs were threatened.
And here's a more in-depth look at the windfall.
***UPDATE 3.1.05***
In lieu of what Karl said, I should add that I don't think this two-year plan is the panacea for all of SEPTA's problems, but rather that for the next couple of years, this is a fix. That is what is most important to those whose jobs were threatened. This gives them a little breathing room. But at what cost. It's true, the highways and roads will suffer, but for how long? When will this new federal money kick in? Karl's right. Long-term is how the PA legislators should think, but politicians rarely think far ahead of the next election year.
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