Penn Medicine CEO Kevin Mahoney, who often commutes by Regional Rail to his office in University City, has warned that SEPTA’s proposed cuts would be devastating for both patients and staff, writes Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza for WHYY.
In an average week, up to 9,000 University of Pennsylvania Health System employees commute to work using SEPTA. With the transit agency facing a structural deficit of $213 million in its fiscal 2026 budget, many lines are at risk of being discontinued.
“This ranks in the top two or three things that keep me up at night,” said Mahoney. “Just the sheer number of our employees that use the Regional [Rail], trolley and bus.”
Several business leaders in the region share his concerns and point to the potential impact deep cuts to public transportation could have on the regional economy, citing the likelihood of severe traffic congestion.
“Imagine how clogged up the roads would be and the impact on their ability to get to and from work if we didn’t have SEPTA,” said Chellie Cameron, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.
Additionally, SEPTA is an economic driver and spends around $228 million with various businesses statewide.
Read more about SEPTA’s proposed cuts and the impact it would have in WHYY.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in May 2025.
