Thursday, October 17, 2013

Septa's Media/Elwyn Line and Media Trolley - A Bi-Partisan Effort

It's going to take a lot more than some of us to raise awareness for the Media/Elwyn Line, it's going to take all of us!  I've been trying to spend what little time I have to see which legislators in the area are for this Transportation Bill and who is against it.  As of this week, Representative Barrar was known to be leading against this legislation that included Septa funding.  Tom Killion (168th District) is a strong advocate for this bill and has been working to secure votes.

Today Philly.com reported on this story with comments from both parties on the importance of working together to get this through.  The vote for the bill may happen very soon, maybe in the next week or so.  Make time and reach out to your local legislator to let them know that our region relies on this commuter service!

Failing to pass this bill would also have direct consequence on the Media 101 Trolley.  As stated below, trolley lines would be replaced by buses if the cuts are allowed to go through.
SEPTA announced it plans to cut nine of its 13 rail lines, close a subway line and convert all trolley routes to bus lines unless it gets more state funding. In Harrisburg, the Senate has passed the bill that would provide the money. The House is expected to vote soon.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20131018_Media_Elwyn_line_is_topic_of_political_debate.html#vWdGEEj4SY14szzg.99
SEPTA announced it plans to cut nine of its 13 rail lines, close a subway line and convert all trolley routes to bus lines unless it gets more state funding. In Harrisburg, the Senate has passed the bill that would provide the money. The House is expected to vote soon.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20131018_Media_Elwyn_line_is_topic_of_political_debate.html#vWdGEEj4SY14szzg.99
SEPTA announced it plans to cut nine of its 13 rail lines, close a subway line and convert all trolley routes to bus lines unless it gets more state funding. In Harrisburg, the Senate has passed the bill that would provide the money. The House is expected to vote soon.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20131018_Media_Elwyn_line_is_topic_of_political_debate.html#vWdGEEj4SY14szzg.99
SEPTA announced it plans to cut nine of its 13 rail lines, close a subway line and convert all trolley routes to bus lines unless it gets more state funding. In Harrisburg, the Senate has passed the bill that would provide the money. The House is expected to vote soon.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20131018_Media_Elwyn_line_is_topic_of_political_debate.html#vWdGEEj4SY14szzg.99
SEPTA announced it plans to cut nine of its 13 rail lines, close a subway line and convert all trolley routes to bus lines unless it gets more state funding. In Harrisburg, the Senate has passed the bill that would provide the money. The House is expected to vote soon.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20131018_Media_Elwyn_line_is_topic_of_political_debate.html#vWdGEEj4SY14szzg.99
SEPTA announced it plans to cut nine of its 13 rail lines, close a subway line and convert all trolley routes to bus lines unless it gets more state funding. In Harrisburg, the Senate has passed the bill that would provide the money. The House is expected to vote soon.  www.philly.com

SEPTA announced it plans to cut nine of its 13 rail lines, close a subway line and convert all trolley routes to bus lines unless it gets more state funding. In Harrisburg, the Senate has passed the bill that would provide the money. The House is expected to vote soon.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20131018_Media_Elwyn_line_is_topic_of_political_debate.html#vWdGEEj4SY14szzg.99




9 comments:

  1. Good work bringing this attention Tedman. To be clear, this bill is to find transportation infrastructure both transit and roads. The main funding source will be removing an antiquated tax cap on oil companies. There is actually a small reduction on tax at the pump included in the bill.

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  2. How is there a reduction??

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  3. There will be a reduction in the state gas tax charged to drivers at the pump. There will be an increase in taxation of oil companies - known as the franchise tax. The oil companies will likely pass a good bit of this on to consumers rather than reduce profit. In the end, a net increase is predicted at the pump. Estimates are that the average driver will pay an additional 2 bucks per week.

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  4. ...But we still want the money to repair Broomall Lake dam, right?

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  5. Saying there is no increase at the pump may be considered by some to be disingenuous.

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    1. How much of that increase gets applied to the pump remains to be seen. Wawa doesn't have more expensive gas going to one location vs. another, yet Wawa stores have wildly different prices at the pump based on many factors. In spite of the gutting of anti-trust laws over the past 32 years, we still have enough gas retailers that the minimal level of competition that still exists could keep the entire cost from being passed along to the consumer. Even if the entire cost is passed along to prices at the pump, it'll be well worth it to fund the vital transportation systems. Will the $200-$250 out of my pocket each year be missed? Yes, but I'm happy to exchange it for a well functioning transportation system.

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  6. What is the bill number?

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  7. The bill the house will vote on is Senate Bill 1. And Mike I agree with you that not all of the cost will necessarily be passed by the oil companies to the consumers. Th estimate that I keep hearing mentioned is around 2 bucks a week for the average PA driver which amounts to a hundred bucks a year. Looks like a likely vote will occur early next week and it is going to be very close.

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  8. The house will be voting on Senate Bill one. Mike I agree with you that the oil companies won't necessarily pass all of the cost on to the consumers. From the estimates I've heard it will likely be about two dollars a week for the average Pennsylvania driver which would equate to $100 per year. It looks like the vote will be early next week. It's going to be very close.

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