Septa cuts further the impacts of redlining

If you live in Philadelphia, you have most likely heard about SEPTA, the Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority’s, well known funding crisis. Due to significant lack of funds, SEPTA has been forced to reduce service, with the first round of reductions taking place last week, more cuts loom in the distant future, while current cuts planned for September 1st, and 2nd, have been halted by a Philadelphia judge.
 
These cuts not only impact service, but deeply impact the pocketbooks of the average SEPTA rider.

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While a 20%+ fare increase will lead to higher travel costs, these reductions in service will lead to long term increases in expenses for the average Philadelphian. Such costs could include:

• Increased costs in childcare as school children have less access to getting to school.
• Increased commute times from delays in service that lead to less personal and family time.
• 9pm rail line curfews leading to higher commuting costs as late night workers turn to taxis and ride shares.
• A possible push towards acquiring a vehicle which takes money away from savings and increases personal costs for parking, gas, and insurance.
• An increase in economic inequality and a potential “double tax” on Black Philadelphians
  
  

All of these costs will lead to less money and purchasing power for Philadelphians. People that rely on SEPTA to get to their job will now be forced to find alternative transportation or sacrifice both time and money to arrive at work on time. These sacrifices will lead to long-term issues as workers lose the ability to save as much as they once did, which in turn leads to more financial hardship and less money to pursue homeownership.

While these costs could be seen as hypotheticals, a recent Lawsuit has been filed against SEPTA claiming that their choice of cutting Bus routes before Regional Rail routes is a direct violation of the Pennsylvania Equal Protections Clause. The reasoning being that bus routes primarily service minority and low-income communities, while Regional Rail primarily serves wealthier, white communities. The lawsuit attests that these cuts will deeply impact low-income Philadelphians, and everyone as a whole.

As SEPTA’s service cuts take effect, with lawsuits filed, and negotiations going back and forth, this uncertainty of access to services is similar to the plights that these communities have dealt with for decades. Largely underserved communities that have been deeply affected by the history of Redlining in Philadelphia are again being hurt by lack of services.

Redlining is the illegal practice where people in certain areas or neighborhoods, primarily people of color, are not given the same access to loans and other credit services as primarily white neighborhoods receive. Unfortunately, although it is illegal, redlining persists in Philadelphia, with some lenders settling redlining allegations as recently as 2022. Redlining has negatively impacted the homeownership rates of Black Philadelphians, as well as the earning potential and generational wealth of those communities. This continuation of service cuts will further these inequities.

]The first image (on the left) shows the areas that have been deeply disadvantaged by redlining practices in Philadelphia, while the second image shows what SEPTA services will be reduced, realigned, or eliminated entirely. Areas of interest include those most  impacted by redlining in North West Philadelphia, Kensington, and parts of Upper East Philadelphia. These areas of Philadelphia which already had fewer SEPTA routes due to lack of adequate infrastructure, are now at risk of drastic reductions and even the elimination of commonly used routes.

These sweeping and detrimental cuts are not something SEPTA wants to do or has openly discussed previously. The cuts are solely due to lack of funding. SEPTA released a Methodology Report for their cuts to help alleviate allegations of bias and targeting of specific areas. 

Regardless of the methodology, SEPTA’s cuts will affect Philadelphians across the board by increasing the direct and indirect costs of transit. While all this seems bleak, a slight glimmer of hope has arisen in the Pennsylvania Legislature, as negotiations are restarted and agreements are beginning to be made. Future cuts and fare increases have also been temporarily halted by the Common Pleas Court.

If you would like more information about this looming crisis and how to get involved, check out SEPTA’s Website and  the City of Philadelphia Website which publishes regular updates.

While this crisis has been labeled a “Transit Death Spiral,” Philadelphia has dealt with broad issues like this before. Despite the uncertainty,SEPTA workers are trying their best to continue service as smoothly as possible. Don’t forget to be patient with your local passengers, bus drivers, and train operators. And remember we’re all dealing with this crisis together!

Michael Iwan

Michael serves at AHCOPA as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the Housing Action Corps