Philadelphia transit riders and advocates celebrate the passage of the City of Philadelphia’s FY 2027 budget. The budget provides needed funding for critical transit investments including the nationally recognized Zero Fare program, municipal Key Advantage, and increased resources for SEPTA. The budget announcement comes after months of actions in which over 100 advocates participated in advocacy events including a February rally at City Hall, speaking at council budget hearings and neighborhood town halls calling for Zero Fare and Key Advantage to be funded in the city budget.
Transit Forward Philadelphia appreciates the leadership of Minority Whip Nicolas O’Rourke (WFP, At-Large) and contributions from leaders throughout the Philadelphia City Council for supporting these programs. Councilmember O’Rourke shared, “I’ve been proud to champion the Zero Fare program alongside Transit Forward and other organizers who fought to protect ‘America’s best low income transit program’. Last spring, when Zero Fare was on the chopping block, I joined advocates in sounding the alarm and making the case for why this is a critical program for tens of thousands of Philadelphians. Together, we secured funding in the FY26 budget and this year’s FY27 budget, which will ensure the program can continue through July 2027. Now it’s time to move beyond year-to-year budget fights, make Zero Fare permanent, and expand transit benefits for working Philadelphians by establishing a Transit Access Fund. ”
Gloria ‘Smooches’ Cartagena Hart, a community organizer with Kensington Corridor Trust and Zero Fare program recipient shared, “I work with families throughout the Kensington community and would love to thank Mayor Parker and the City Council for supporting all Philadelphians that are living paycheck to paycheck. With Zero Fare funded for the next year, now families will not have the extra concern of how they’ll get to where they need to go.”…