Statement from Bryan Fenstermaker, President & CEO, City Ave District
Regarding Proposed SEPTA Budget Cuts
At City Ave District, we understand the fiscal pressures SEPTA faces but cutting essential services, raising fares and reducing the workforce is not a viable path forward. These proposals threaten to disconnect the very people and communities that rely most on public transit and would have deeply disruptive consequences for our region.
City Ave District is a vital business corridor and one of the most dynamic mixed-use communities in the Philadelphia region. More than 29,000 residents call this district home. Over 25,000 employees travel here for work, many by bus and regional rail. Our district hosts major employers, including Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Tokio Marine, and Susquehanna International Group (SIG). We also serve over 10,000 college students attending Saint Joseph’s University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Our businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities have indicated that these cuts will impact their employees, clients, and visitors who depend on reliable transit access.
The district welcomes nearly 1.8 million annual visitors who dine, shop, attend events and connect within our footprint. That level of activity – and accessibility – is powered by SEPTA. Public transportation is the backbone of how people move through and thrive within our district and region. Businesses depend on it to reach talent, customers and partners. Students rely on it to access opportunities. Visitors depend on it to explore and engage.
If enacted, these proposed cuts would isolate communities, increase car dependency and congestion, raise barriers to employment and education and undermine investor confidence at a time when economic revitalization is essential. City Ave District could see a decline in visitors, business revenue, and momentum – precisely when we should be investing in the infrastructure that connects us.
This is a moment for bold leadership and collaborative problem-solving. Public transportation isn’t just a service, it’s an engine of equity, access and economic growth.
City Ave District stands ready to work alongside SEPTA, elected officials, business leaders, and the broader community to advocate for a sustainable funding solution that strengthens – not sacrifices – our region’s connectivity and future.
(*Cited from 2024 City Ave District’s Footprint Stats |source: placerai / MRI)
