September 13, 2006

CONTACT: Richard Farr, Government Affairs Chairman
Cell: 717-578-7965
Fax: 717-848-4853
Email: rfarr@rabbittransit.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            

SEEING RED: THE CRISIS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO HOLD LISTENING
SESSIONS IN HARRISBURG

Harrisburg, PA - Thousands of employees in the state of Pennsylvania use public transportation as their only means to get to work. “For those residents who don’t think this impacts them, think again,” states PPTA Executive Director Martha Pierce. Without public transportation, nurses, teachers, factory workers, managers, service providers and a host of other diverse occupations in which the economy and other individuals rely on would not be in place. In fact, the funding crisis for PA public transportation is so severe, the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association (PPTA) is encouraging Pennsylvanians to speak out for transit.

On February 28, 2005, Governor Rendell formed the PA Transportation Funding and Reform Commission to review and make recommendations on Pennsylvania’s transportation system. Over the past year, the Commission conducted an in-depth review of the Commonwealth’s transportation needs. In August 2006, it released a preliminary findings report indicating, “Pennsylvania’s transportation, highways and bridge systems are in crisis, both in terms of available finances and deteriorating physical condition.”

Most of the transit systems in the Commonwealth are facing severe funding shortfalls. However, PPTA is encouraged by the Commission’s work and believes that the initial findings report is a fare and honest assessment of the transit industry. “The time to act is now,” states Pierce. “Without public action, millions will be without transportation, our highways will become busier and our air quality will suffer. Public transit is an essential piece of the transportation puzzle.”

The Commission is holding public listening sessions around the state with the final session being in Harrisburg on September 18, 2006. The Commission has posed five questions ranging from what was missed in the assessment to how the funding crisis should be solved. In addition to presenting oral comments at the listening session, the Commission is accepting written comments by email to tfrc@state.pa.us. For more information visit www.dot.state.pa.us/tfrc.

Transportation Commission Listening Session in Harrisburg Press Release: PDF | Word

rabbittransit, York County’s public transportation system, provides a variety of transportation services to the residents of York County. Nearly 6,000 people depend on rabbittransit each day to get to work, medical facilities, school and other life-sustaining activities. rabbittransit is dedicated to helping all York Countians get to where they want to go.