Re: [UC] SEPTA Background

[Craigsolve]

In a message dated 9/16/2004 1:09:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: there had to be a re-examination of the City's representation on the SEPTA board and the formulas used for local funding for SEPTA. Approximately 80% of SEPTA rides are taken on what is called the "City Transit Division" the part of the system that operates with the City of Philadelphia. Philadelphia contributes, $53.5 million dollars, 80% of the local funding. The City of Philadelphia has two representatives out of 15 on SEPTA's governing body, under 14%. The suburban control of the SEPTA board can be seen by how suburban routes are subsidized at much higher levels than the City Division. This is the total obfuscation of previously made backroom deals between the City and its suburban partners, during the conversion from the Philadelphia Transportation Company to SEPTA.   Where is SEPTA headquartered? At 1234 Market Street, a very expensive piece of center city real estate. Why does SEPTA need a 700,000 sq ft building? Why does the City BRT under value the building? Why are there multiple below market sweetheart lessees in the building, which are affiliated with the City or friends of City government? What do you think the City gave up to control the real estate? Board seats.   It would be far more economical to headquarter SEPTA outside the City on much less expensive ground in a large low rise building that would be much more economical to operate, maintain, etc.   As a non-Philadelphia based corporation many of its employees would have left the City to escape the City's repressive tax package. Look at all the ancillary benefits the 'SEPTA Package' provides the City. This convoluted real estate deal is another reason why the rest of the State hears the sound of their hard earned money being sucked down the drain into the City's cesspool, with no benefit to the rest of the State.   Anybody form SEPTA involved in the current mayor's corruption scandal? No, because in today's political climate good politicians, good public servants wont stand for it.   Maybe it is time for the State to tell the City to go it alone. âYou want it, you buy it.â Ask the mayor where he expects the dedicated tax funding to come from? One possibility is to tell the Governor that his close friends will not run casino gambling in Philadelphia. The City will do it.   Ciao,   Craig