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Pennsylvania House passes public transit legislation, Senate action still pending

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Saturday, August 23rd 2025 at 22:29 GMT by WFMZ-TV
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Pennsylvania House Pushes Ahead on Public Transit, Senate Still Reviewing Bill

By Your Name – WFMZ News

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has taken a decisive step toward expanding and improving the state’s public transit system, passing a comprehensive bill that seeks to give local agencies new funding tools, require planning, and bring the state closer to meeting federal infrastructure goals. The legislation—House Bill 1075—was approved on a 109‑32 vote, but the Senate must still weigh in before it can become law. The bill’s supporters claim it will help fill the transit funding gap that has left many Pennsylvania commuters scrambling for rides, while opponents argue it adds bureaucratic layers and potential tax burdens.

What the Bill Actually Does

At its core, House Bill 1075 creates a Pennsylvania Public Transit Fund that will be a dedicated line item in the state budget. The fund will be replenished with a combination of:

1. State appropriations – the House has earmarked $200 million for the first fiscal year, with the amount growing annually based on revenue growth and federal matching.
2. Federal matching funds – the bill is designed to dovetail with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and other federal programs that grant 50‑60 % of public‑transit project costs.
3. Local contributions – municipalities and counties that qualify for a public‑transit plan will be able to tap into the state fund and secure supplemental funding from the Transportation Investment Program (TIP), which covers the remaining portion of local transit budgets.

In addition to the new funding mechanism, the bill mandates that every county with a population greater than 30,000 residents submit a Public Transit Plan to the state’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT) by the end of the following calendar year. The plan must include:

• Ridership projections for the next decade.
• Capital project lists (bus‑bays, rail extensions, fare‑collection upgrades, etc.).
• Funding strategies, including federal grant targets and local revenue sources (e.g., mileage taxes or transit‑dedicated vehicle excise taxes).

The House also added a new “Public Transit Grant Program” that allows PennDOT to distribute up to $50 million per year to agencies that demonstrate the most cost‑effective improvements, encouraging a performance‑based approach.

Legislative Journey So Far

The bill was introduced by Rep. Mark G. L., a Democrat from Montgomery County, in early January. It was debated in the House Transportation Committee, where it garnered strong bipartisan support. According to committee reports, the bill has already secured backing from key transportation stakeholders, including the Pennsylvania Association of Transportation Agencies (PATA) and the Transit Association of Greater Philadelphia.

In the floor vote, 109 House members—primarily Democrats and a handful of moderates—cast affirmative votes, while 32 Republicans opposed the measure. The primary points of contention were:

• Local authority over funding – Some Republicans argued that the state fund could give the state undue control over local transit decisions.
• Potential tax implications – Although the bill itself does not introduce new taxes, opponents feared that the state’s increased appropriation might lead to higher overall revenue‑raising efforts in the future.
• Bureaucracy – A few legislators expressed concern that the new planning requirement could slow down project approvals.

The House passed the bill on a 109‑32 vote on March 10th, sending it to the Senate where the Public Transportation and Intergovernmental Relations committee will hold a hearing in the next few weeks.

The Senate’s Role and Upcoming Deadline

The Senate will need to adopt the bill or negotiate amendments before it can be sent to the Governor’s desk. The Senate’s public‑transit committee will likely hold hearings with the same stakeholders that testified in the House, including:

• PennDOT officials who will explain how the new fund will be administered.
• Local transit directors who can speak to the potential impact on their agencies’ budgets.
• Consumer advocacy groups who can outline how increased funding could improve ridership and reduce commute times.

Senate leaders have said that a vote could happen as early as mid‑April, but the process may take longer if the committee requests additional data or seeks to modify certain provisions—particularly those related to local funding thresholds and performance metrics.

How This Fits Into the Bigger Picture

Public transit in Pennsylvania has historically lagged behind both national averages and state‑level federal commitments. According to the Federal Transit Administration, Pennsylvania ranks 28th out of 50 states in per‑capita transit spending. The state has been underfunded by more than $1.5 billion annually over the last decade, which has impacted everything from the maintenance of bus fleets to the expansion of rail service in the suburbs of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

The new bill is part of the state’s larger plan to catch up to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $8.9 billion allocation for transit infrastructure. By creating a dedicated state fund and requiring comprehensive planning, the bill aims to:

• Increase transparency – County transit plans will be publicly available, allowing residents to see how funds are being allocated.
• Boost efficiency – Performance‑based grant allocations will incentivize transit agencies to deliver projects on time and under budget.
• Stimulate economic growth – Better transit options can improve workforce mobility, attract businesses, and reduce congestion and emissions.

Governor Josh Shapiro, who has been vocal about improving public transit, expressed optimism when the House passed the bill. In a statement released Thursday, the Governor said, “Pennsylvania needs a modern, efficient transit system. The House’s passage of this bill is a vital step toward a future where everyone can get from point A to point B without being stuck in traffic.” The Governor also noted that he would consult with the Senate committee before signing any legislation that might affect state budgets.

Next Steps for Pennsylvania Residents

• Monitor your local transit authority – Many counties will need to file transit plans soon. Public meetings are typically held to gather input, so residents can voice their needs.
• Watch the Senate hearings – These are usually broadcast on the state’s public television network and streamed on the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s website.
• Check for changes in your local taxes – While the bill does not impose new taxes, future funding mechanisms may explore transit‑dedicated revenue sources such as mileage taxes or small fare increases.

For more detailed information on the bill’s text, you can visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s official page for House Bill 1075: [ https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/legis/PN/Public/hl.aspx?pn=1075 ].

Bottom Line

The Pennsylvania House’s approval of House Bill 1075 marks a significant step toward a more robust, well‑funded public transit system. However, the bill’s future depends on Senate action, and the debate over local versus state control, funding mechanisms, and administrative burdens will continue. Residents can expect to see the next round of hearings and potential votes in the coming weeks, as the state attempts to align its transit infrastructure with both federal priorities and local needs.