Newsletter: 🗳️ Endorsements Straw Poll / 🚇 Transit Funding / 🎥 Expanding Automated Speed Enforcement

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 246

🗳️ ENDORSEMENTS STRAW POLL

Our membership is deciding our endorsements for the General Election THIS WEEK via straw poll.  JOIN TODAY to be part of this process by becoming a member for only $5 / month!

Annual Subscriber, $60 per yearMonthly Subscriber, $5 per monthOne Year of Membership, Starting at $60


📈 SEPTA's Fiscal Cliff

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Thomas Fitzgerald wrote last week about potential fare increases and service cuts affecting SEPTA if they fall off the fiscal cliff when federal transit money dries up next year.

SEPTA says this means $3 Fares and massive service reductions to early pandemic levels.

Article cites 5th Square member Micah Fiedler

ACTION: TELL YOUR LEGISLATOR - SUPPORT PUBLIC TRANSIT!

Today, local governments cannot enact local taxes or fees to raise funds for public transportation initiatives. An ongoing lack of capital funding, combined with limited local matching funds, has put SEPTA in a difficult financial position.

Show your support by contacting your legislator directly from this page.


🎥 EXPANDING AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT

Automated speed enforcement on Roosevelt Boulevard has been very successful, as documented by the recent Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) 2022 review of the Roosevelt Boulevard program, which found a 11% decrease in fatal crashes on the Boulevard compared to a 16% increase in other parts of Philadelphia during the same time period.

House Transportation Committee Chair Representative Ed Neilson has authored a bill (HB1284) to eliminate the 2023 sunset provision, plus allow the expansion of automated speed enforcement to other dangerous roads in Philadelphia, subject to PennDOT and City Council approval. The Pennsylvania Senate's bill, SB748, authored by Senators Argall and Schwank, is more limited in that while it eliminates the sunset clause, it does not expand automated enforcement to other dangerous roads in Philadelphia. Both bills are being considered by the State Senate this fall.

Use this link to send a message to your State Senator and Senate Leadership in support of the aforementioned legislation.


5th Square in the News
💵 To Achieve Justice and Climate Outcomes, Fund These Transit Capital Projects

TransitCenter (a foundation that works to secure a more just and sustainable future with abundant public transportation options) writes about three separate projects that they believe need to be funded in order to achieve justice and climate outcomes. Among these projects is the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway.


Article cites 5th Square members Jay Arzu & Will Tung

You can help us make a walkable, transit-friendly city for everyone. Become a 5th Square member today for $5 a month. New Member signups get a free Blvd Subway T-Shirt!

Annual Subscriber, $60 per yearMonthly Subscriber, $5 per monthOne Year of Membership, Starting at $60


The best way to stay cool this summer is to rock our "Build the Roosevelt Blvd Subway" CROP TOP -- now in stock!

Looking to buy the T-Shirt? Click Here!


EVENTS 

Fall 2023 Lobby Day-Automated Speed Enforcement
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 7:00am - 5:00pm
Join the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Families for Safe Streets of Greater Philadlephia on Tuesday October 3rd to advocate for Automated Speed Enforcement in Harrisburg!

SEPTA - Public Hearings Related to the Bus Revolution Network Changes
Various times and Locations
Members of the public may attend hearings in-person or join a virtual hearing. These hearings will take place at locations throughout the SEPTA service area during the month of September 2023. All locations will be ADA accessible and along an existing SEPTA bus route.

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia - Annual Gala and Awards Dinner
Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 5:30 to 9:00pm, at The Ridgeland Mansion in West Fairmount Park
It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss — an elegant evening of cocktails, three course plated dinner, award ceremony, and silent & live auctions featuring unique cycling opportunities, bikes, gear, and surprises!

Bike MS: City to Shore Ride 2023
September 30 & October 1, 2023, Cherry Hill, NJ
Bike MS: City to Shore Ride was just named one of USA TODAY’s 10 best road cycling events for 2023! Find out why and cycle through the beautiful back roads and flat terrain of South Jersey along with a community of riders dedicated to changing the world for people with MS.


WHAT WE'RE READING

🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE

🌳 PUBLIC SPACE

🚌 TRANSIT

🚴 MOBILITY


GRANTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Feet First Philly’s Public Space Enhancement Mini-grant program is in its fourth year this year. During its first three years, the program has funded 32 public space enhancement projects throughout Philadelphia. Feet First Philly seeks projects that improve walkability by making neighborhoods safer and easier to walk and roll in. Applications are open now! If you have an idea for a project that could improve the accessibility of your community, you are encouraged to apply. This program is partially funded by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and grants range from $500 to $2000. 

National Association of City Transportation Officials
The Transportation Justice Fellowship is designed to support US-based early- and mid-career professionals who are embedding mobility justice in transportation agencies and beyond.

Vacant and Abandoned Properties Dashboard
This dashboard helps community organizations in Philadelphia prioritize vacant and abandoned properties for anti-gun violence interventions.

Seeking
  • Front end engineer w/mapping experience (React JS)
  • Python data engineer

StreetBoxPHL - Right Of Way Roundtable
Are you a BID manager, RCO Board Member, or are you the one on your block who organizes block clean ups, block parties, or other gatherings in the street? Join 
StreetBoxPHL for the Right Of Way Roundtable (ROW Roundtable) a monthly on-line meeting this Fall 2023. If you take care of public spaces in city streets, or want to learn how to build them, sign up here.


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 or more.