Category Archives: PA Perspectives

Update on DVARP’s Mass Transit Funding Campaign

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Hi all,

DVARP is progressing nicely with our mass transit funding campaign, although we are still waiting for APTA to make their first disbursement. We now have a draft script for our first YouTube video, which will address the grim realities that will occur if SEPTA has to make dramatic service cuts from a lack of state and federal funding. We hope that shooting of the video will begin in the next couple of weeks. We’re looking to produce 2 or 3 videos, all of which will be shot by volunteers.

As for the Silverliner V public service announcement, we’re still waiting to receive grant funding from APTA. Initially we thought the PSA might begin to run in early-August, although now we’re looking at mid- to late-August. Even though August is a slow month for ridership, we expect the PSA to be widely seen.

Finally, if you’re interested in getting a head-start and contacting state and/or federal lawmakers now, contact info can be found right here on our website. By all means, go for it! If you wish to e-mail your lawmakers, feel free to CC DVARP (mail@dvarp.org) in those e-mails.  We can help you follow up with your lawmakers if necessary.

Tremendous DVARP Workshop on Mass Transit Funding

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Hopefully you’re all enjoying your weekends, and got a chance to savor the much-needed rain this morning. We’re happy to report that the mass transit funding workshop went really well. A passionate and inquisitive group of DVARP members and supporters came out last week to hear about our plans to run public service announcements (PSAs) on SEPTA’s new train cars and create a YouTube series drawing commuter attention to the looming mass transit funding crisis.

Among the subjects attendees wanted to discuss were parallels and differences between the financial states of SEPTA and PAT (Pittsburgh’s mass transit agency), how SEPTA can make revenue from station and concourse vendors, how transit agencies can work with community groups to beautify local train stations, and what would happen if there was no mass transit to take people to work, a baseball game, or the supermarket. Attendees at this workshop, which stretched for 2 hours, included current members of SEPTA’s Youth Advisory Council, the former chair of SEPTA’s Citizens Advisory Committee, other non-profits, and academia. A couple of pictures below describe some of the ideas that came out of this workshop.

All in all, this was an excellent way to kick off our mass transit funding public awareness campaign. Stay tuned for many more details. And, as always, if you want to help us in our campaign, shoot us an e-mail to mail@dvarp.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter @PhillyDVARP.

DVARP’s Been Awarded a Grant!

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Hey everyone,

This is Andy Sharpe at DVARP again. I’m excited to announce that DVARP will be awarded a $5000 APTA (American Public Transportation Association) grant to spread awareness about the tenuous state and federal mass transit funding situation in Pennsylvania. Specifically, we are looking to run a public service announcement (PSA) campaign on SEPTA vehicles, at SEPTA stations, and through YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter asking mass transit riders to imagine if there was no money to run their train, bus, or trolley.

The first batch of grant money will be awarded come July, so we still have a little bit of time. However, we plan to hit the track running on this campaign, and will be working with our coalition partners and SEPTA to see how we can spread the word to the most mass transit users possible. Make sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages (@PhillyDVARP) for updates, and let us know if you’re interested in joining this effort.

In the mean time, imagine if there was no money to run your train, bus, or trolley.

Sign DVARP’s Petition to Get Restrooms and Trash Cans on SEPTA’s Next Order of Regional Rail Cars

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Hi all,

I hope you’re having a great weekend, and are ready for some serious heat. I still can’t believe it’s going to be close to 90 degrees on Monday. I’m posting to draw your attention to a petition DVARP just created (http://www.change.org/petitions/dvarp-is-trying-to-get-bathrooms-and-trash-cans-on-septa-regional-rail-trains/) to get SEPTA to include restrooms and trash receptacles on their next Regional Rail train order (Silverliner VIs). While rail and transit authorities in Chicago and New Jersey (just to name a couple) offer these amenities, SEPTA does not. DVARP is proud to lead the charge to get SEPTA to eventually include bathrooms and trash cans on its trains. Please sign our petition and spread the word about it. Your bladder and your trash will thank you.

Andy Sharpe
Communications Director
Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers
1601 Walnut St., Suite 1129
Philadelphia, PA 19102-2913
phone: 215-RAILWAY (215-724-5929)
e-mail: sharpe@dvarp.org

A Busy Month for SEPTA Coming Up

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Hi all,

This is Andy Sharpe at DVARP again. SEPTA’s capital and operating budget and annual service plan hearings are all coming up the 2nd and 3rd weeks of April. Check our WordPress calendar for far more details. The capital budget hearing will be in Center City only, while the operating and annual service plan hearings will be spread out across the region. If you want even more information, feel free to shoot me an e-mail at sharpe@dvarp.org.