Press Releases

ICYMI: “Panic Among Parents” as Pennsylvania GOP Transit Funding Failure Derails First Day of School

Press Contact: Seth Nelson

A new report from CBS News Philadelphia shows the fallout of Pennsylvania Senate Republicans’ decision to block a public transit funding package last week. Tens of thousands of Philadelphia students who rely on SEPTA to get to class have been abandoned ahead of Monday’s first day of school, as the agency is forced to roll out deep service cuts and fare hikes starting Sunday. The impact will be impossible to ignore: families, students, and essential workers across the commonwealth who depend on public transit to reach jobs and classrooms are being left stranded. The Senate must change course immediately and take up the bipartisan funding deal already passed by the House to keep Pennsylvanians moving.

ICYMI: CBS News Philadelphia: SEPTA service cuts to affect 52,000 School District of Philadelphia students, prompting panic among parents

August 20, 2025
By: Eva Andersen, Sean Tallant

Key Points:

  • The first day of school in the School District of Philadelphia is ticking closer, and tens of thousands of Philadelphia students who depend on SEPTA don't have a clear idea how long it will take them to get to class this year.

  • At Flynn O'Hara Uniforms in Frankford, families were busy buying school clothes Wednesday, but many parents said they're far more worried about transportation. SEPTA service cuts and fare hikes are leaving them uncertain about whether their children will get to school on time, and how the changes will affect their budgets.

  • More than 52,000 children in the School District of Philadelphia rely on SEPTA every day, according to Superintendent Tony Watlington. He acknowledged the concerns and said the district is working with families to find alternatives.

  • Jodiann Salmon, who lives in Mount Airy, said her 15-year-old son normally takes the 51 bus to school at Hill Freedman World Academy. With service reductions, she worries he'll be late. 

  • For other families, the cuts add to existing hardships. Danielle Townsell, an Olney parent whose 14-year-old son has special learning needs, said longer trips could be exhausting. 

  • "Not being able to get your kids to school — and then also putting yourself in danger of losing your job … How do you get to work? How do you make sure they are safe?" she said. "It just breaks my heart. We gotta do better."

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