DV Journal

Republican House Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) thinks he may have a solution for the constant fiscal crisis that is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA).

The private sector.

On Thursday, Topper announced a sponsorship memo for a bill to allow a public-private partnership to generate more SEPTA revenue.

“What’s clear is that doing the same thing over and over again is not going to fix SEPTA’s problems, and other currently proposed options only serve to patch over the problems of a system chronically in crisis,” Topper said.

The move comes in response to SEPTA officials’ announcing draconian measures to deal with the latest budget shortfall. They include a 45 percent cut in services with fare increases, workforce reductions, and a 9 p.m. curfew for all services.

According to Topper’s memo, his plan would require SEPTA to enter into a public-private partnership with a private entity could operate the authority’s buses. The partnerships would be subject to the approval of the Public-Private Partnership Board and legislative oversight.

“While SEPTA has done an admirable job in taking responsibility for its chronic budget deficits by raising fares and finding efficiencies in its operations, it is clear this is a problem government cannot solve without going back to taxpayers for more money or finding new sources of revenue,” Topper said.

“My legislation will offload, at a minimum, SEPTA’s busing operations to take the burden and expense of this function out of SEPTA’s budget and place it within the operation of a private company that can bring the skill and expertise needed to provide high-quality service at a lower price.”

And by privatizing its buses, SEPTA would not need to reinvent the wheel, Topper said.

“Privatizing busing operations has been successfully implemented for commuter bus operations in Maryland and for busing services in major cities like Denver. In addition, Americans are increasingly reliant on private ride-share services to manage transportation needs,” Topper added. “Privatizing SEPTA’s busing operations serves to offload operational costs and expenses of a portion of SEPTA’s overall portfolio and can help alleviate expenses while offering a more efficient way to deliver the same service.”

Supporters of the SEPTA system, in particular those who see mass transit as a way to address global warming, say it’s underfunded and needs more general revenue. But as Topper notes in his sponsorship memo, state taxpayers gave SEPTA $773 million in 2023 alone, with increases requested each year after.

“We cannot continue to put Pennsylvania taxpayers on the hook for filling the budget hole of a transit system in crisis. But at the same time, we must acknowledge the vital importance of having robust mass transit options in the Philadelphia region. As such, it is time to use the expertise of the private sector to find the necessary path forward to operate SEPTA busing services in an efficient and cost-effective manner,” Topper wrote in his memo.

“Advocates for additional taxpayer funding have pointed to the fact that SEPTA has reduced its budgetary deficit from $240 million to $213 million. If the authority has been unable to find more than $27 million in savings in its $1.7 billion operation, which totals about 1.55 percent, then it is time to do something different.”’

Jason Gottesman, deputy chief of staff for Topper, said no Democrats had signed on so far. However, with the Democrats having a one-person majority, the GOP will need at least some support from them to pass the bill.

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has been a SEPTA ally. In his $51.5 billion 2025 proposed budget, Shapiro penciled in $1.5 billion for mass transit over five years.  A spokesperson for Shapiro did not comment Thursday about Topper’s bill. In December, Shapiro announced $22.95 million in additional funding for SEPTA, that also included contributions from the suburban counties.  However, critics like the free-market think tank Commonwealth Foundation note the mass transit agency now spends more while serving fewer riders.

Asked to respond, SEPTA released a statement defending its fiscal record.

“SEPTA moves people more efficiently than nearly every peer system in the country. By almost every metric PennDOT uses to evaluate SEPTA’s operations, SEPTA is one of the most efficient transit agencies in the country and at or near the top in every category. SEPTA uses 16 percent fewer employees per 100,000 trips compared to the peer average, and SEPTA’s cost to operate each service mode is significantly below the national industry average.

“SEPTA continually explores other aspects of its core business functions that can help it achieve cost efficiencies and service enhancements for customers. For example, all SEPTA Paratransit and Shared Ride service is operated by private operators, and we are currently seeking interest from potential vendors to operate the Authority’s medical services.”

“We appreciate Rep. Topper’s acknowledgement of the recent progress SEPTA has made, and we know we need to do more,” they added.

(From a press release)

The Pennsylvania state House Tuesday gathered at the state Capitol to swear in members for its 209th legislative session. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd administered the oath of office to the chamber’s lawmakers, which included 16 new legislators representing communities across the commonwealth.

During the ceremony, Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, was re-elected speaker of the House. She was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Timika Lane, and her Bible was held by Mrs. Cathryn Irvis, widow of former and first African American Speaker of the Pennsylvania House, K. Leroy Irvis.

McClinton and Republican Leader Jesse Topper tied 101-101 on the first vote but McClinton prevailed on the second vote after Topper withdrew from consideration. Rep. Matthew Gergely (D-Allegheny) is out sick so the two parties are temporarily tied.

In addition to welcoming new and returning lawmakers to the chamber, McClinton, who is the first woman to serve as speaker in the nation’s oldest continuously operating state legislative body, outlined her vision for the coming two-year legislative session as being defined by optimism, civility and productivity.

“I’m proud of what this House has been able to achieve for all Pennsylvanians by working together – from saving seniors money on their property tax and rent to tripling tax credits for working families,” McClinton reflected.

“I’m hopeful that the upcoming session will be even more productive. Our neighbors have sent us here to cut costs for families, protect access to health care, strengthen public safety, and fairly fund our schools. I look forward to the policy solutions my colleagues will present to some of commonwealth’s most pressing challenges and to spirited and respectful debate in this chamber. And in our House, it doesn’t matter where a good idea comes from as long as it helps the people we serve.”

To tackle the evolving issues coming before the chamber, the House added three new standing committees for the 2025/26 legislative session: Communications and Technology; Energy; and: Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations. Committee chairmen were announced as part of the day’s proceedings.

Aging and Older Adult Services – Chair Maureen Madden, (D-Monroe).

Agriculture and Rural Affairs   – Chair Eddie Day Pashinski, (D- Luzerne).

Appropriations – Chair Jordan Harris, (D-Phila).

Children and Youth – Chair Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh.

Commerce – Chair Scott Conklin, D-Centre.

Committee on Committees, Chair Dan Miller, D-Allegheny.

Communications and Technology – Chair Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery).

Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities – Chair Danilo Burgos, (D-Phila.

Education – Chair Pete Schweyer, (D-Lehigh).

Energy – Chair Elizabeth Fiedler, (D-Phila).

Environmental and Natural Resource Protection – Chair Greg Vitali, (D-Delaware).

Ethics – Chair Pete Schweyer, (D-Lehigh).

Finance – Chair Steve Samuelson, (D-Northampton).

Game and Fisheries – Chair Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny.

Gaming Oversight – Chair Pat Harkins, (D-Erie).

Government Oversight – Chair Morgan Cephas (D-Phila).

Health – Chair Dan Frankel, (D-Allegheny).

Housing and Community Development – Chair Brandon Markosek (D-Allegheny).

Human Services – Chair Dan Williams, (D-Chester).

Insurance – Chair Perry Warren, (D-Bucks).

Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations – Chair David Delloso (D-Delaware).

Judiciary – Chair Tim Briggs, (D-Montgomery).

Labor and Industry – Chair Jason Dawkins, (D-Phila).

Liquor Control -Chair Dan Deasy, (D-Allegheny).

Local Government – Chair Bob Freeman, (D- Northampton).

Professional Licensure – Chair Frank Burns, (D-Cambria).

State Government – Chair Carol Hill-Evans., (D-York).

Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development – Chair Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery).

Transportation – (Chair Ed Neilson, D-Phila).

Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness – (Chair Jared Solomon, D-Phila).

In the last session the state House advanced more than 400 bills, a majority passing with bipartisan support. The new legislative session runs through Nov. 30, 2026.