Philly leaders push state lawmakers for transit funding deal in hopes of preventing SEPTA service cuts

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — All eyes at SEPTA will be on the Pennsylvania legislature this month as lawmakers reconvene.

With cash running out, SEPTA last week announced plans to raise fares to address a budget deficit topping $200 million, warning that service cuts could follow. The state budget provided about a quarter of the $161 million in new money for SEPTA that Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed , and legislators decided to revisit transit funding in the fall.

Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson says reductions in SEPTA service would be untenable. He says he'll be urging the Philadelphia delegation and legislative leaders to find recurring money for mass transit.

"We want to make sure that we advocate for as much support as possible for SEPTA,” he said. “They are embarking upon a fiscal cliff, and so we need support from our friends in Harrisburg."

Republican Joe Pittman, the state senate majority leader, said in a statement any discussion about transit funding has to include money for roads and infrastructure. He has said regulating skill games could be a new source of revenue for both.

"We recognize that Senator Pittman, who's also a good friend and hard worker in Harrisburg, we want to make sure, and I'll convey to him that yes, SEPTA has skin in the game,” Johnson said. “But the city of Philadelphia, we cannot handle these cuts and most importantly we need support."