How close are Pennsylvania lawmakers to securing funding for SEPTA?

With SEPTA’s service cuts in full swing and a state budget more than eight weeks overdue, many are wondering how close Pennsylvania lawmakers are to reaching a deal to secure funding for the transit agency.

Both a Democratic-backed transit funding bill and a Republican-supported funding plan to cover SEPTA’s $213 million budget deficit failed to move forward before the transit agency’s deadline on Aug. 14. As a result, the first part of SEPTA’s so-called “transit death spiral” began on Sunday, Aug. 24, as the transit agency eliminated 32 bus routes and reduced 88 other routes, leading to delays and crowded buses, subways and trolleys on the first day of classes in the Philadelphia School District on Monday, Aug. 25.

On Sept. 1, 2025, fares will increase for all SEPTA riders while regional rail service cuts go into effect on Sept. 2. The cuts will continue through January 2026 when SEPTA will impose a 9 p.m. curfew on all rail services.

As Philly leaders continue to urge lawmakers in Harrisburg to find a solution, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk caught up with two Democrats and two Republicans in Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday, Aug. 27, to see if any progress was being made.

The bipartisan group included Democratic State Rep. Morgan Cephas, who is also the Chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation, Democratic State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, Republican State Rep. Martina White and Republican State Sen. Joe Picozzi.

During the interview, Cephas was hopeful that a deal to secure funding would soon be reached.

“So, I think both parties, we’re just trying to get to a place where we can find common ground and really get a deal done that benefits not just the southeast of Pennsylvania, which is where we are all from, but benefits Pennsylvania as a whole,” she said.

“But you think we’re close?” NBC10’s Lauren Mayk asked.

“I think we’re close. Yes,” Cephas replied.

Fiedler shared Cephas’ optimism.

“I think that we’re getting closer to a deal,” Fiedler said. “As a lawmaker, a mom of four, I count on the bus to get around just like a lot of my neighbors. So, as the Chairwoman was saying, we hear from all of our constituents. It’s also a reality for us.”

White, meanwhile, believes that lawmakers are “still weeks away” from reaching a deal.

“It still takes awhile to draft the legislation itself and the policies that are being negotiated. Until there’s some solidification around that, I think it’s going to take a little bit,” she said. “I think it really comes down to the governor, the House Democrat leader and the Senate Majority Leader continuing to get to the table and negotiate a final product.”

House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Pennsylvania) and Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Pennsylvania) both provided statements on the progress in Harrisburg on Monday, Aug. 25, and cited the funding bills that their respective parties supported as possible solutions.

The Democratic-backed transit funding bill that would have included funding for highways as well as increased aid for transit agency operations was passed by the Pennsylvania House but was not approved by the Senate. Meanwhile, a Republican-supported funding plan that would have used money from the Public Transportation Trust Fund (PTTF) passed the Senate but was not approved by a House Committee, drawing opposition from Democrats and SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer who said there wasn’t enough unallocated money in the fund to cover SEPTA’s $213 million budget deficit.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, also spoke on the possibility of using the PTTF.

“I think utilizing the PTTF as part of a broader package is something that we can do but it’s got to be part of a broader package that focuses on recurring funding,” Shapiro said on Monday. “Over a long period of time that funds mass transit in each of our 67 counties.”

Picozzi – who also touted the PTTF as a solution – spoke on the importance of lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle working together to reach a deal.

“We’re going to keep at it. We’re going to keep talking. My colleagues. House, Senate, Democrat, Republican. And keep moving the ball forward,” Picozzi said. “I don’t know every single detail of the inside negotiations but I know that everyone involved wants to see the same outcome. We want to see our trains and buses moving again. It’s about the people that we serve.”

NBC10’s Lauren Mayk also asked Picozzi if he believed the lack of a state budget amid the SEPTA service cuts was the result of a failure among Pennsylvania lawmakers.

“Look what you have right here today,” Picozzi said. “You’ve got four leaders who are standing—”

“You’ve got no budget,” Lauren Mayk said.

“We’re working tirelessly around the clock to get something done,” Picozzi replied. “The fight isn’t over. We’re going to keep fighting and keep fighting, all of us in the city, to get this done.”