With each passing day, the need for our leaders in Harrisburg to save the state's public transportation systems grows more critical. Across the state, public transportation systems, such as SEPTA, will be forced to increase fares and make steep cuts in service beginning in July unless Harrisburg crafts a funding solution before then.
Beyond making it more difficult for Pennsylvanianis to get to work and school every day, service cuts and fare increases will have serious environmental and public health consequences. Quite simply, more people driving their cars instead of taking the train or bus means more smog and global warming pollution.
Already, pollution from cars and trucks helps to rank Pennsylvania as the third-biggest producer of global warming pollution among all states. Without well-funded public transportation, we'll never be able to achieve the cuts in pollution that scientists say are necessary to avoid global warming's worst effects.
Nathan Willcox
Energy & Clean Air Advocate
PennEnvironment
Philadelphia
