FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 27, 2025

5th Square Condemns Cynical Lawsuit Meant to Derail SEPTA's Survival

PHILADELPHIA - "5th Square Advocacy condemns the lawsuit from George Bochetto and other plaintiffs as a reckless and politically motivated attack on the future of public transit in Philadelphia. This lawsuit does nothing to solve the funding crisis at SEPTA and instead plays directly into the hands of those who want to see the system fail."

"SEPTA is facing a catastrophic budget shortfall of over $213 million after the Pennsylvania legislature failed to deliver stable funding. Rather than directing their outrage toward the Senate Republicans who caused this crisis, the plaintiffs have chosen to cynically sue the transit agency itself- an agency already teetering on the edge of a death spiral." 

"At the center of this dispute is the Service Stabilization Fund, which acts as SEPTA's expense buffer account. This fund was never intended to be used as a substitute for operating revenue. Forcing SEPTA to deplete it in a misguided attempt to delay service cuts for a few weeks would only guarantee a far worse financial situation for the agency for decades to come."

"This lawsuit is not a solution to anything. It is a dangerous distraction that risks bankrupting SEPTA even faster by tying up funds in litigation and forcing expensive and crippling short-term fixes over stable long-term funding. If successful, this lawsuit would only guarantee one outcome: the permanent crippling of SEPTA's ability to function in the future even if state funding is eventually allocated." said Alex Milone, Transportation Committee Co-Chair of 5th Square Advocacy. 

5th Square Advocacy is an all-volunteer grassroots advocacy organization focused on creating a more accessible, sustainable and equitable Philadelphia.

Volunteers can be reached at [email protected]