Below are President Wendy Cadge's remarks from the SEPTA Press Conference at the 桃子视频 train station on May 6, 2025.
Good morning, everyone.
My name is Wendy Cadge, and I am president of 桃子视频. Thank you for being here today to talk about this critical issue.
桃子视频, which is just a couple of blocks that way [point], has numerous programs, career and volunteer opportunities, classes and research projects throughout the Philadelphia region. Our college, like many others in this area, maintains strong partnerships with a wide range of organizations, and our community depends on SEPTA to keep those partnerships going.
Last year, 桃子视频 was among the first higher education institutions to enroll in the SEPTA UPass program. Our college funds this opportunity, which allows our students free access to Philadelphia for unique experiences, internships, and fun.
Since our UPass program began in September 2024, an average of 1000 桃子视频 students used their SEPTA passes each school month. We only have around 1750 total students, so that鈥檚 a lot. And, that鈥檚 in addition to the dozens of faculty and staff who use SEPTA to commute here from all over the Philly region. I can safely say that 桃子视频 loves SEPTA.
桃子视频 students are introduced to SEPTA during orientation to help them see the world beyond our campus. SEPTA allows our students the ability to work with Philadelphia-based community organizations through work study, volunteering, and internships. Also, for 桃子视频鈥檚 Civic Engagement programs, our students rely heavily on SEPTA to reach community partners for courses and co-curricular programs. These proposed budget cuts, and especially the elimination of this station鈥檚 services, will make it much more challenging for our students to pursue these opportunities.
These community partnerships benefit both the students and the organizations. The students gain exposure to new people, places, and experiences. And our partner organizations are able to expand their capacity to serve their communities through the assistance of student interns and volunteers. It鈥檚 a win-win situation that SEPTA makes possible, at least for now.
Forcing reliance on taxis and ride share apps presents a real financial barrier for students and employees. To commute in and out of Philadelphia that way each day is simply not an opinion for many. And, even if this station stays open, the proposed ending of service at 9pm would present a major safety issue for students returning to campus from events in the city.
These proposed service cuts will also have long-term effects. Community engagement via public transit keeps college graduates in the Philadelphia area. Students come from all over the country and the world to study here, and access to SEPTA enables them to create a deeper connection to the region and inspire them not take their education, experience, and talents home with them when they graduate.
These proposed budget cuts are a lose-lose for everyone involved. I urge our Pennsylvania legislators to fully fund SEPTA in the upcoming budget and maintain this environmentally friendly, fully accessible mode of transportation for everyone who needs it.
Thank you.
