SEPTA cuts are here, & Solar For Schools grants

Catch up on the latest sustainability news – with lots of SEPTA info:

First week of school for students with decreased transit options. Philly students face increased likelihood of tardiness as SEPTA cuts go into effect during the first week of school. Students, families, and educators explain their concerns. Chalkbeat

Strategies for getting around and pushing back during public transit collapse. Pennsylvania is still without a state budget, leaving SEPTA without critical funding. Listen to how we ended up here, ways that SEPTA riders can get around, and how to continue to advocate for mass transit. NBC, City Cast

City releases information on SEPTA and its response. The city is maintaining an updated blog post here, containing resources and SEPTA operations status. City officials said that there is a strategy and action plan in the case of these cuts, but that strategy remains unclear. 

Gov. Shapiro is open to using the special transit fund. Governor Josh Shapiro says that he is now open to using parts of a special transit fund, which is earmarked for critical infrastructure improvements, to fund mass transit in the commonwealth. The governor had originally rejected the proposal; however, on Monday, he told Spotlight PA that he may be willing to use the funds as part of a larger plan to fund mass transit in the long term. Spotlight PA

CCP receives Solar for Schools grant. On Wednesday, the Community College of Philadelphia celebrated earning over $176,000 from the Solar for Schools grant program to install rooftop solar arrays at the CCP Northeast Regional Center. The grant program aims to address school funding crises, rising utility costs, and climate change preparedness. 

Cover photo: SEPTA commuters at City Hall station. Credit: Claudia Salvato Photography