​SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, is facing an ongoing funding leading to service cuts. Cuts which could disrupt Amtrak’s Keystone and Pennsylvanian routes between Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York. 
 
This week, Amtrak officials voiced concerns that SEPTA’s reductions, coupled with the Commonwealth’s budget impasse, could impact the shared infrastructure of both mass transit systems. SEPTA leases the Amtrak-owned track for several of its Regional Rail lines. Without those lease payments, Amtrak says its ability to maintain tracks, signals, and stations could be significantly impaired.

This past week in Harrisburg showcased the legislative "ping-pong" between the Pennsylvania House and Senate, with both sides trying to push their own priorities while working to reach a state budget agreement.  Indeed, Pennsylvania’s budget has been delayed for over 40 days past the June 30 state constitutional deadline.

On Monday, August 11, the House approved House Bill 1788, a measure that funds public transit and infrastructure. Sponsored by Representative Sean Dougherty (D-Phila), the bill aims to increase the allocation from the Public Transportation Trust Fund from the current 4.4% to 6.15% of the Sales and Use Tax. It also seeks to authorize $325 million in bonds specifically allocated for PennDOT road and bridge projects.