🚌 TRANSIT FOR ALL PA! PLATFORM
Pennsylvania’s transit services could see major cuts next year, and it’s not about Coronavirus—it’s our legislature!
Just last week, the PA Turnpike made its last required $450 million payment to transit agencies, so the emergency countdown has already started. This revenue will need to be replaced in next year's state budget, and the answer is the Transit For All PA funding platform!
PA’s last major transit funding bill, Act 89, is set to phase out Turnpike payments to transit agencies around the state next year, setting up a catastrophic 31% funding cut to the transit service across Pennsylvania - but PA’s lawmakers have no plan for an adequate replacement.
Use this widget to send a message to your state legislators asking them to support the Transit for All PA funding platform! And watch this space for more ways you can get involved in the campaign for reliable, dedicated transit funding in PA.
🔊 YOUR VOICE FOR BETTER BUSES
Take Transit Forward Philadelphia's 5-minute bus network survey and you will be entered into a raffle to receive a $50 VISA gift card!
We are also looking for volunteers who want to join our organizers in meeting and surveying bus riders at transit stops. Register to attend a quick, 15-min, Zoom training, and hit the streets with us as we push for better bus service!
👑 BECOME A MEMBER
We need just 5 more sign-ups in order to reach 300 members! Help us reach this milestone this summer and build for important advocacy and election campaigns coming up!
YOUR MEMBERSHIP STATUS
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Support a more livable and sustainable city by becoming a 5th Square member TODAY!
5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
🛣️ WASHINGTON AVE SAFETY DELAYS
This time, the delays came after a last-minute meeting with Point Breeze CDC and Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson that we fear may torpedo months of extensive outreach by the City and thousands of survey respondents that overwhelmingly ask for long-overdue safety for Washington Ave.
The time is now to fix this dangerous roadway, and every month that passes without change only means more crashes, injury, and death affecting to the most vulnerable road users.
5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
🚉 A TALE OF TWO TRANSIT SYSTEMS
Wayne Batchis, 5th Square member and professor of law, wrote for the Inquirer about SEPTA's disparity in its treatment of regional rail versus the remainder of its system -- and why this barrier needs to be broken to benefit everybody.
Philadelphia has an extensive Regional Rail network that should be the envy of other American cities — an incredible asset that could be utilized to aggressively reduce congestion on our roads, increase access to affordable housing, fight climate change, and promote social equity by making convenient, efficient transportation available to all. Instead, we squander what we have.
5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
🎸 A WISTFUL TUNE FOR SEPTA
Alex Davis, one of our youngest and most talented 5th Square members, delivered a message to SEPTA through song at its July board meeting. KYW Newsradio covered his testimony-by-song which asked for improvements to real-time information.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚴 MOBILITY
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) /
SURVEYS
Submit your South Street memory - As part of a Knight Foundation grant, “Edit the City” has partnered with the South Street Headhouse District to document the unique experiences that made you fall in love with South Street.
Washington Ave survey from VietLead - Community-Rooted Development on Washington Avenue
DVRPC’s long range plan - Public comments are open until Aug 30. https://www.dvrpc.org/2050/
GRANT, PROJECT, & EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Artists: Request for Qualifications - PHDC and CRP/GO Ridge Flats Owner, LLC, are pleased to offer this opportunity for a public art project to be located at 4300-4312 and 4314-4326 Ridge Avenue.
Committee of Seventy - Are you passionate about Philadelphia? Do you want to know more about how to positively affect change in our city? Are you a young professional interested in serving on a respected nonprofit board? Apply to be a 2021-2022 Buchholz Fellow Due 08/27
Call for volunteers to help with the East Coast Greenway Alliance's first ever NYC-to-Philly Ride, August 28-29! For more information, volunteer roles, and registration, see greenway.org/ridevols -- Join the 2-day crew or help out just for a day -- we especially need volunteers for the closing ceremony in Philadelphia on August 29th. Please reach out to Daniel Paschall with any questions at [email protected]
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee.
We're an all-volunteer grassroots organization advocating for safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing, and more and better public spaces. You’re receiving this email if you signed up via our website, attended one of our events, or supported one of our advocacy campaigns.
Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5.