SEPTA to receive stopgap funding fix

Pennsylvania state lawmakers may use short-term, stopgap funding to keep the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) fully operational at the beginning of next year.

SEPTA officials have said that without state action they will have to downsize dramatically starting Jan. 1, 2005. They said that because of a $62 million budget gap they would have to increase fares 25% and lay off 600 workers.

The Legislature is looking into a possible state takeover of SEPTA, but a long-term funding solution will not be discussed until lawmakers meet again in January.

A state panel to review whether SEPTA's woes can be solved by state reorganization will report its findings on Nov. 30.