{"id":2526204,"date":"2025-12-29T14:17:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T19:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/public-transit-whiplash-ahead-in-2026\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T14:22:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T19:22:15","slug":"public-transit-whiplash-ahead-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/public-transit-whiplash-ahead-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Public transit whiplash ahead in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpublic-transit-whiplash-ahead-in-2026%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2526204&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Pennsylvania&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-push-infrastructure-plan-dems-divided-in-response\/\" title=\"GOP push infrastructure ..., Dems divided in response\">public transit system<\/a> saw a turbulent 2025 adn faces more uncertainty in 2026. Gov. Josh Shapiro pushed a plan to dedicate an extra 1.75% of existing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newsom-california-democratic-lawmakers-claim-true-pro-life-agenda-in-budget-announcement\/\" title=\"Newsom, California Democratic Lawmakers Claim \u2018True Pro-Life Agenda\u2019 In Budget Announcement\">state sales tax<\/a> revenue to transit &#8211; primarily benefiting SEPTA (Philadelphia) and Pittsburgh Regional Transit &#8211; arguing the funding is vital for all 67 counties, including rural areas whose elderly and disabled depend on service. Legislative Republicans treated transit largely as an urban issue, tying state support to fixes for crime, safety and cleanliness and proposing fare hikes; other revenue ideas such as legal recreational marijuana and skills-game taxes failed to gain traction. Amid budget standoffs,lawmakers and the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >administration diverted capital funds meant<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/five-hidden-costs-of-inflation\/\" title=\"Five Hidden Costs of Inflation\">long-term projects<\/a> to cover operating shortfalls,prompting fierce Democratic opposition and emergency measures to keep service running. Additional capital withdrawals went to Pittsburgh Regional Transit and further to SEPTA after federal repair orders. The final November budget contained no permanent transit funding solution, and advocates warn the fight will intensify as Pennsylvania prepares for major 2026 events that will increase transit demand.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Public transit whiplash ahead in 2026<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2457675\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; It was a wild ride in 2025 for the millions of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pennsylvania\/\">Pennsylvania<\/a> residents who rely on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/public-transportation\/\">public transportation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And 2026 looks no calmer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4363794\/nyc-council-to-override-adams-on-sex-abuse-lawsuits\/\">NYC Council to override Adams on sex abuse lawsuits<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4363746\/rare-cbs-truth-trump-supreme-court-liberal-media-scream\/\">Rare CBS truth about Trump and the Supreme Court: Liberal Media Scream<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4363793\/economists-believe-lack-of-jobs-driving-ohios-population-loss\/\">Economists believe lack of jobs driving Ohio&rsquo;s population loss<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Ideas were floated and rejected. Routes were suspended and resumed. Funding was denied then extended via emergency measures. None of it ever seemed to come to a resolution.<\/p>\n<p>The year started with an&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_2c2bb938-e341-11ef-a569-8353b1901b2b.html\">optimistic plan<\/a>&nbsp;revived from the previous year from Gov. Josh Shapiro to give public transit a permanent revenue stream. Take an extra 1.75% from revenue already coming in from state sales tax and put it toward funding transit, with the two biggest recipients being Philadelphia-area SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit.<\/p>\n<p>Though they are the biggest metro regions in the state, they aren&rsquo;t the only places with vital public transportation services. All 67 of the state&rsquo;s counties have some kind of public transit. In rural regions where doctor&rsquo;s offices, pharmacies, and grocery stores are few and far between, many of the state&rsquo;s elderly and disabled have no other means of accessing basic necessities.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The economic vitality of every one of our 67 counties is dependent on the enactment of that proposal,&rdquo; said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, or PennDOT,&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_8a04501f-d2b9-495e-b0a2-dde819f333b9.html\">Secretary Mike Carroll<\/a>, who noted that rural counties are &ldquo;completely dependent&rdquo; on the six counties that comprise the SEPTA and PRT service areas.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, Republicans in the legislature have typically talked about transit as an urban problem. They highlight resolving SEPTA&rsquo;s issues with crime, safety and cleanliness as prerequisites for increasing state spending, and some encouraged fare increases to help make up for lost revenue.<\/p>\n<p>Still others argue that transit is an essential function of the state, revenue aside. In the Philadelphia region alone, more than 700,000 individuals ride SEPTA on their daily commute. Their numbers include public school students and thousands of doctors, nurses and health care workers.<\/p>\n<p>Other funding sources were proposed. They included adult-use&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_ed8c304f-d461-4ee6-b6be-1222418ca405.html\">recreational marijuana<\/a>, an idea that was squashed by Senate Republicans, and&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_6b5d6d6a-ec77-4053-b9d4-6b8f05717a1d.html\">skills game taxes<\/a>, the particulars of which the legislature failed to iron out. Amidst protracted budget negotiations, Republicans proposed a deal that would pull from finite capital funds intended to serve long-term transit needs like infrastructure and equipment to meet the system&rsquo;s everyday expenses.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats expressed intense opposition to the plan, saying the plan would essentially defund transit by diverting much-needed resources.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_f79a4467-21e4-4bd3-95da-285bd8c1b5b7.html\">One representative<\/a>&nbsp;even walked from Philly to Harrisburg. Ultimately, when the legislature missed their deadline to come up with a solution and SEPTA made drastic cuts, capital funds were pulled anyway under the direction of Shapiro and PennDOT&rsquo;s Mike Carroll.<\/p>\n<p>Additional withdrawals of capital funds went to Pittsburgh Regional Transit and a second bite from SEPTA following&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_ec7c30bb-6d99-48d3-b76b-9b6f983c5bf0.html\">federal repair orders<\/a>. The budget finalized in November did not include a plan for transit, leaving some Democrats to&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_5de92c4c-5903-4e47-b33c-8db3fbfc65af.html\">break from their party<\/a>&nbsp;in celebration of the long-overdue deal.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4362256\/the-biggest-political-losers-of-2025\/\">THE BIGGEST POLITICAL LOSERS OF 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sen. Nikil Saval, one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-spending-cuts-lead-to-a-reallocation-of-funds-in-sam-browns-election-campaign-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Republican spending cuts lead to a reallocation of funds in Sam Brown&#039;s election campaign. - Washington Examiner\">upper chamber&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s most outspoken transit advocates said of the budget, &ldquo;Pennsylvanians are struggling to make ends meet under a barrage of steep inflation rates, high tariffs, and slashed federal services. Our people deserve more investment from their government than what we delivered today&mdash;which is why I voted no.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>With millions of&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_18fb6705-0f14-4609-9baf-576aa7e0a2e6.html\">tourists expected<\/a>&nbsp;to visit the state in 2026 for America250, the MLB All Stars game, the NFL draft, and the FIFA World Cup, the battle for dedicated transit funding is sure to resume quickly as the 2026-2027 budget is negotiated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pennsylvania transit turmoil continues into 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2526205,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/metrobus-fare-waive.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[27635,40582,69656,42251,69655],"class_list":["post-2526204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-27635","tag-public-transit","tag-transit-funding","tag-transportation-policy","tag-urban-mobility"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/metrobus-fare-waive.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2526204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2526204"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2526204\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2526208,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2526204\/revisions\/2526208"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2526205"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2526204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2526204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2526204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}