Also, House Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Joseph Markosek (D., Allegheny) said he would unveil a proposal for transportation reform today.
A proposed 11 percent fare hike for SEPTA was vetoed Thursday by the two Philadelphia representatives on the 15-member SEPTA board, postponing approval of the increase for at least a month.
The board is expected to override the city's veto with a three-fourths majority and enact the July 1 fare increase.
"The perception here is that there is a belief at SEPTA, at least by the city members, that the state will bail SEPTA out entirely," said Craig Shuey, executive director of the Senate Transportation Committee.
"No matter what we do in Harrisburg, a fare increase must be part of the solution," Shuey said.
SEPTA is seeking about $100 million in additional state funding for the budget year that starts July 1. Shuey declined to say whether the money would be forthcoming if SEPTA's board approved an 11 percent fare hike.
"That's a political discussion that is still being had," Shuey said. "They could be better assured [of state funding] if they passed a fare increase."
SEPTA board chairman Pasquale "Pat" Deon said yesterday that he was confident the SEPTA board would pass the fare hike next month.
"SEPTA has always met its funding responsibility with the state, and I would hope the legislature would, for a change, meet its funding responsibility for public transportation in Pennsylvania," Deon said in a statement.
The legislature and SEPTA face converging deadlines. Both must adopt budgets by July 1, and each wants the other to chip in.
