PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today, Chellie Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, and Stefani Pashman, Chief Executive Officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, issued a joint letter calling on Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Senate to take urgent action to fund mass transit and protect the region’s economic future.
For months, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia has mobilized the business community in support of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), advocating for a long-term funding solution to avoid catastrophic service cuts and economic fallout.
“As budget discussions continue, we urge you to continue supporting mass transit funding decisions that will provide economic opportunities for all Pennsylvanians across our great state,” Cameron and Pashman wrote.
Without a sustainable funding plan, SEPTA faces a 20% reduction in service. This would severely impact workers, students, residents, and visitors who rely on public transit, while making it harder for employers to attract and retain talent. Businesses may be forced to abandon the region, and communities could become disconnected from economic opportunity. The consequences would ripple across Pennsylvania, as Southeastern Pennsylvania drives 41% of the state’s economic activity and relies on SEPTA to fuel its business community.
The letter can be read in full here.
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About the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia works together with members, investors, and stakeholders, to realize our bold vision: Greater Philadelphia is a top global destination for business and a leader in inclusive growth. As the metro-regional chamber of commerce serving the 11-county, tri-state Greater Philadelphia region, we are the premier organization to convene and connect business, government and civic leaders to drive economic growth and prosperity for all.
