Gov. Shapiro’s mass transit proposal passes Pa. House
Several local lawmakers opposed the measure.
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania House passed Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal to deliver funding for mass transit systems in all 67 counties in a 107-96 vote.
Representatives of Mon Valley communities voted along party lines, as Republicans Andrew Kuzma of Elizabeth Township, Eric Davanzo of Smithton, Tim O’Neal of South Strabane Township and Ryan Warner of Perryopolis voted against it. Democratic Rep. John Inglis of West Mifflin supported the measure.
Davanzo said he doesn’t approve of the process by which the transit proposal was introduced and voted on before they had a number for their general appropriations bill.
“Without knowing that general appropriations bill with the total dollar amount spent on a budget, it’s kind of hard to commit to the funding of this one,” he said. “And this really wasn’t a good bill.”
Davanzo added that he believes the proposal is just a bailout for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which serves Philadelphia and its surrounding areas. SEPTA receives $167,732,232 through the proposal.
Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal includes $292 million in new funding next year. It’s expected to generate $1.5 billion over five years to support 52 transit systems that serve nearly one million riders each day across rural, urban and suburban communities.
“My proposal to fund mass transit just passed the PA House for the fourth time,” said Shapiro in a statement. “This bipartisan bill injects critical dollars into public transit across Pennsylvania and adds new funding to repair roads and bridges — because folks rely on both to get where they need to go. It’s time for the Senate to get this funding done in this year’s budget.”
The proposal also includes an amendment that would provide additional funding for state roads and bridges.
“Every single dollar invested in transit generates $5 dollars in economic activity,” Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said. “We have big events coming in 2026 — America’s 250th birthday, the World Cup and the All-Star Game — that are going to be big revenue generators, but we need public transit to get all of those visitors where they need to go. The state House is taking action to provide more funding for mass transit. Now it’s time for my colleagues in the Senate to act.”
According to Shapiro’s statement, the proposal does not raise taxes. Instead, it increases the portion of the existing Sales and Use Tax dedicated to public transit from 7.68% to 9.43%, providing $292 million in new annual funding next year and more than $330 million annually by 2029–30.
“Mass transit isn’t just about Pennsylvania’s largest cities — it’s essential statewide,” Shapiro’s statement reads. “Rural shared-ride services alone provide 2.6 million trips a year for seniors, helping them get to doctors’ appointments, grocery stores, and more. According to the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, public transit supports over 39,000 jobs and drives $5.4 billion in economic activity across the Commonwealth.”
The Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority would receive $953,489 in Shapiro’s budget proposal. Around 650 riders use MMVTA services on average each day, with routes in Washington, Westmoreland, and Fayette counties and service in and out of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit, which serves all of Allegheny County, including the Mon Valley communities of West Mifflin, McKeesport, and Elizabeth, is receiving $40,067,610.
The funding is significant after PRT has been holding hearings regarding potential service cuts and fare increases.
