The transfer issue is finally, totally over. Today was the last day for SEPTA to file an appeal of last month’s Commonwealth Court decision that kept transfers in place. (Technically the Commonwealth Court declared that SEPTA’s appeal of Judge DiVito’s decision to block it from eliminating transfers was moot because SEPTA had already adopted a different fare plan, one that kept transfers.)
SEPTA did not appeal.
I don’t know why SEPTA made this decision, since they typically play everything out to the end. I suppose one reason is that they saw that they were unlikely to prevail.
But I’m going to be an optimist today and hope that SEPTA’s decision is a sign that SEPTA is going to be a better partner for the city and for transit riders.
There is no reason SEPTA shouldn’t be. There are a lot of people in this city who really believe in public transit. They are people who worked very hard to secure dedicated funding for SEPTA. And, while I once jokingly told a reporter “SEPTA Hates Transit Activists and We Hate SEPTA” that really isn’t true.
SEPTA *is* endlessly frustrating. It seems to have a self-defeating personality at times, turning aside the advice and rejecting the support of people who really would like to see SEPTA be more respected. But there are some really good people who work for the agency. Even when I was lambasting them about transfers, many of those people would return my phone calls, give me the information I needed to make my case, and explore possibilities for a resolution with me.
Some force in SEPTA, some atavistic unwillingness to take part in public debate and discussion or to admit a mistake, has kept SEPTA from bad policy choices that has cost it potential friends.
But maybe there is hope now. And perhaps one reason is that Michael Nutter has made clear that transportation is a critical issue for him by appointing a Deputy Mayor transportation and public utilities. (The position was liminated by Mayor Street.) Moreover he appointed Rina Cutler who is a real pro and who can envision a really great transit system while being mindful of the practical steps we are going to have to take to get there. (She was, I’m told, a very positive force in the Delaware River Planning process.)
SEPTA has bemoaned the lack of a good partner in the city. Now the have one. With the transfer issue behind us, we can move forward to a new day in public transit policy.
This might be a good time for us to trot out our visions of public transit or to comment on the recent plans put forward by the DRPA.