PCCY and the Philadelphia Student Union, through the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, recently filed a suit against SEPTA, challenging the proposed elimination of transfers as likely to seriously handicap struggling Philadelphia school students. The Philadelphia Tribune reported on it in its Aug. 10th newspaper.
SEPTA suggests extending transfers
Cutting fee was to aid agency's deficit
By Eric Mayes
Tribune Staff Writer
At the request of lawyers for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the use of transfers will be continued until Aug. 17.
In a hand-delivered letter Thursday to Judge Gary DiVito, attorney Thomas S. Biemer asked the court to "maintain the status quo" saying that SEPTA officials had conferred with the city and the "city does not oppose this request."
The move comes as a growing number of litigants are calling for SEPTA to keep the transfers.
Two organizations representing the city's youth this week joined the protest against SEPTA's proposal to eliminate transfers.
Attorneys for the Philadelphia Students Union and the Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth both filed briefs on Wednesday asking DiVito to reject the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's proposal.
They joined the suit just a day before a deadline set earlier in the week by DiVito. On Monday, after two days of testimony, the judge delayed making a ruling telling attorneys for the city and the transit agency they had until Thursday to sum up their arguments on paper. A ruling was initially expected today.
The city sued SEPTA calling a portion of its recent fare-restructuring package racist, discriminatory and illegal. In late June SEPTA boosted fares 11 percent and announced that it would drop its $.60 transfers in this month. By eliminating the transfers, officials hoped to save the agency, which faced a $129 million deficit, about $11 million.
Shelly Yanoff, executive director of Philadelphia Citizens for Children, said axing the transfers would seriously handicap students who are already struggling.
"We believe that charging for transfers will, in fact, really hinder Philadelphia school children in serious ways. We're making it harder for them to stay in school; it doesn't make sense," she said.
"Especially since more than three quarters are low income and more than three quarters are children of color. It really is very bad for them. They're making it more difficult for them to attend school."
In papers submitted to the court by the Public Interest Law Center for PCCY and the students union estimated about 15,000 students would be hit by the plan.
One family, used as an example in court papers, would see transportation costs rise from $20 a week to $50 a week for two children.
Attorney Michael Churchill said SEPTA has the power to voluntarily reverse its decision. SEPTA officials have denied that, saying the transit agency would have to hold new public hearings before it could change course.
"They have the power to reconsider without holding a new fair hearing, certainly they can have a temporary emergency provision to withhold this decision," Churchill said.
Yanoff said she personally has met with transportation officials for a long time trying to forestall fare increases or the cutting of transfers but they have not been receptive to her pleas, nor has City Council.
"We have not been able to make a difference by testifying or by urging City Council to take action so we're using any means necessary that are legal," she said. "There is a time when we have to say what exactly do we want."
Churchill said that by joining the suit, the groups added to the voice of the city's underprivileged to "help emphasis its importance and the hardship that would flow to students and minorities and low-income persons who currently use the paper transfer system."
In most Pennsylvania cities and many large U.S. cities, transportation to and from school is free. Budget constraints have led school officials to adopt other methods here.
"We don't have enough money, so that's where they cut," Yanoff said.
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