3 of Pa.’s largest employers urge: Fund SEPTA and other mass transit now
Depriving public transit of needed resources will have economic impacts throughout the commonwealth, write the leaders of Penn, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Comcast.
As the leaders of three of Pennsylvania’s largest employers — the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Comcast — we are compelled to voice our deep concern over funding shortfalls facing mass transit.
We have reached a critical crossroads where continued inaction poses significant risks to our employees, the communities we serve, and the broader economy of our commonwealth.
More than 4,000 CHOP employees providing critical care to children across the region rely on SEPTA to get to and from work. That’s before considering the thousands of patients that rely on SEPTA to access our services, as we see over 1.4 million outpatient visits and 35,000 inpatient admittances every year.
The proposed reductions will impede access to vital healthcare services, particularly for families on fixed incomes. As a major employer and provider for the region, mass transit is a lifeline for our most vulnerable populations.
Similarly, the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine depend on SEPTA to facilitate the daily commute of faculty, staff, students, and patients — all of whom contribute to our commonwealth’s economy, workforce, and well-being. Hundreds of students and more than 12,000 employees utilize mass transit for their daily commutes, in addition to approximately 10,000 low-income patients who receive free SEPTA passes from Penn Medicine to ensure their care.
Service cuts will cause a severe disruption in education, research, and healthcare services that are integral to our institution and the city.
Comcast’s headquarters has approximately 8,500 employees in Center City, with employees coming to the office at least four days a week to foster collaboration and innovation. Reductions in SEPTA service will hinder Comcast’s efforts to maintain a dynamic and productive work environment.
The vast majority of employees — over 75% — take mass transit to work, especially Regional Rail, making the proposed elimination of four Regional Rail lines a massive threat to the productivity of one of the Philadelphia region’s largest employers and economic drivers.
While we represent institutions primarily based in Southeastern Pennsylvania, our success is integral to the success of Pennsylvania as a whole. Our region is a net contributor to the General Fund. Southeastern Pennsylvania is home to 32% of the state’s population, but we are responsible for 42% of the state’s economic activity.
Depriving SEPTA and other mass transit agencies of the resources they need to stave off disastrous cuts will undoubtedly lead to negative economic impacts that reverberate throughout the commonwealth.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal includes a historic increase in state funding for mass transit, including SEPTA. This investment is a critical step toward addressing the long-standing structural funding gap that threatens the stability of our transit systems. We commend Shapiro and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for recognizing that transit is not just a Philadelphia issue — it is a statewide priority that supports workforce participation, economic growth, and equitable access to opportunity.
We also appreciate that Senate leadership has acknowledged the importance of mass transit. Legislative action is now needed to solve this crisis.
We urge the governor and General Assembly to come together in supporting increased investment in public transit. Without it, the looming cuts to SEPTA will shock Pennsylvania’s economy — jeopardizing jobs, mobility, and public safety.
Investing in public transportation is investing in the health, education, and prosperity of our communities.
J. Larry Jameson is the president of the University of Pennsylvania. Madeline Bell is the CEO of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Brian L. Roberts is the chairman and CEO of Comcast Corp.