PHILADELPHIA – A lawsuit has been filed against the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) over its recent decision to cut 32 bus routes and shorten 16 others. The changes have raised concerns about their impact on minority and low-income communities, as the plaintiffs argue the adjustments violate Pennsylvania’s equal protection clause and state civil rights laws.
Plaintiff attorney Bochetto claims that SEPTA’s own equity study shows the service changes disproportionately affect racial minorities and economically disadvantaged communities. “Their own report admits it,” Bochetto stated, emphasizing the study’s findings.
However, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch defended the agency’s actions. He insisted that a comprehensive equity analysis was conducted before the proposed reductions and fare increases were introduced to alleviate a structural budget deficit. Busch noted the extensive community engagement process, including public hearings that were led by an independent examiner.
Despite the findings from SEPTA’s Title VI equity study, which indicated that non-minority and non-low-income routes would absorb a more significant share of the service reductions, the plaintiffs maintain that the initial cuts are discriminatory. Haver, another plaintiff, highlighted the burdens facing bus riders, noting that the cuts have resulted in the elimination of 3,000 bus stops and hindered access for “the working poor.” He pointed out that no Regional Rail lines have been removed, suggesting that the impacts of the cuts are heavily skewed toward bus transit users.
Erick Guerra, a professor of regional planning at the University of Pennsylvania, recognized the complexity of the situation. While he confirmed that most service cuts would come from bus operations, he noted that such routes tend to be more expensive to maintain. Guerra emphasized the necessity of making tough decisions to manage costs and reiterated that any reductions in public transit services disproportionately affect lower-income residents.
He added that some of the bus routes slated for cuts serve suburban areas that already suffer from limited service options. Guerra endorsed the lawsuit’s claim that transit service reductions adversely impact those with fewer economic resources, noting the far-reaching implications of SEPTA’s decisions.
As the case unfolds, the debate around equitable public transportation service is expected to intensify, calling into question how cities prioritize and fund transit systems, particularly in marginalized communities.
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