Harrisburg, will you do it for your reputation?

A few years ago I was looking for career opportunities outside of Detroit, but my list was short. It was limited to cities I could get around without a personal vehicle. When I landed on the move to Philly, I drove my Chrysler 200 across Pennsylvania, drove it back for Christmas and endured Spirit Airlines for the return. I have been pleasantly car-free ever since. 

I have always been a transit advocate and enthusiast, but to be honest, during my lifetime in Detroit I did not ride the bus very often. A few times in high school and various periods of my adult life. I recall running after a bus on Woodward Ave. in 2008 to make it to my shift at the Hard Rock Cafe. The next bus wasn’t for another 30 minutes so I had to flag down a cab. 

When I left Michigan and chose Philadelphia, a very important factor in my decision was whether or not I could rely on public transportation. I wanted to live a car-free life. Since living here I have averaged over 13,000 steps daily, ride my bike when it’s nice out, and have taken over 200 SEPTA rides, according to my SEPTA Key Account History. A huge factor in my decision to move to Philadelphia is our transit system and the general ease in which I can get around. 

I am still what would be considered a “choice rider”, someone who could realistically afford a vehicle or other transportation, or has a vehicle, but chooses to utilize public transportation when possible and/or convenient. The proposed SEPTA cuts would be a huge inconvenience and cost burden to me, however, it would be absolutely devastating to SEPTA's "captive riders".

A captive rider is poor, probably black or Hispanic, and usually on their way to contribute to the economy they often don’t benefit from. According to the American Public Transit Association, “a total of 87% of public transportation trips involve direct economic impact on the local economy. This includes getting to or from work (49%) or shopping (21%) and recreational spending in the local economy (17%).”

My friend Jeanette Pierce always says, “Whether you rely on public transit or not, someone you rely on relies on public transit.” Many of those are the captive riders. The kitchen staff prepping and plating fancy dinners for your Instagram story. The women cleaning your office space in the evenings. Your kid's teachers. But the beautiful thing I've noticed about SEPTA is that everyone rides it. It's truly instrumental to the success of this incredible and unique region. Investing in SEPTA is investing in Pennsylvania.

“A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation,” says Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should be striving towards a cohesive transit system that works to benefit the entire region. Choice riders want to live in cities (and states) that prioritize and value transportation and make it possible to live car-free or car “light”. Captive riders deserve to get to their destinations on time. Public transit is an asset to cities and states that support and prioritize it. It enhances mobility and economic development, reduces traffic and emissions, gives people freedom to move around the City, and connects people to all the places they need to be. 

Philadelphia needs SEPTA service to remain reliable. Our representatives in Harrisburg need to understand the impact of gutting the pretty decent transit system we have is regressive and frankly, embarrassing. The economic, environmental, and social benefits of a reliable transit system is clear when you look at cities like Paris, Tokyo, and even our neighbor New York City.

Philadelphia is set to take the world stage in 2026, as we welcome millions of visitors for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Now is the time to invest more in the infrastructure we have, and empower SEPTA to continue serving millions of Pennsylvanians across the southeast region every day, and grow. We should be leading the country in transportation innovation. How can our state politicians earnestly justify eliminating this powerful service? If you can’t do it for the people you serve, will you do it for your reputation?