Also in the Inquirer, the congressmen feel that tolling I-80 will mean robbing rural Pennsylvanians and truckers of money to fund "Philadelphia's transit system."  Gov. Rendell is not happy and plans on reviving his plans to lease the turnpike to a private agency.  The Pittsburgh Post Gazette filed this article about an "Angry Rendell's Plans."  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07207/804588-147.stm  Rendell wishes the congress people would have warned him about any possible trouble with the I-80 tolls. 

 According to State Rep Bob Caton of Northern PA, 80% of traffic on I-80 is from out of state and he feels they get away with ruining the road without paying to help its upkeep.  Rendell and others feel confident the amendment will be "removed in US Senate Committee."  BTW, the two congressmen who put the amendment in the bill voted NAY on the bill!  One claims it was "bloated with excess money (snip)."

The city is taking SEPTA to court...again. Romulo Diaz, Jr., a city solicitor, filed the lawsuit yesterday as an attempt to stop SEPTA from eliminating transfers August 1st, as this fare hike is disporportionate and a large burden on city transit riders.

The lawsuit asks that the elmination of these transfer be postponed until specific standards are set for SEPTA fare increases and service cuts, which don't currently exist within the SEPTA board.  This lawsuit will be heard in the commons pleas court this morning.

More information can be found here: http://philly.metro.us/metro/local/article/City_gets_into_SEPTA_fray/9497.html

As you may have noticed, SEPTA is still selling transfers at least until Thursday until Judge DiVito comes up with a ruling.  Now the transfers aren't dated, but are marked with "Emergency."
With the lawsuit, the FTA is ordering SEPTA to produce a report of an analysis of how the elimination of transfers will affect the low income residents - they have 30 days to do so.  SEPTA states that they were unaware that they were required to produce such an analysis.

This is an interesting story developing - more information can be found in this article: http://philly.metro.us/metro/local/article/City_SEPTAs_lowincome_riders_losing_out/9568.html

 UPDATE AUGUST 8TH, 14:10 - Today's transfers are marked August 8th, 2007.

SEPTA requested that Judge DiVito hold off on his ruling in the lawsuit regarding SEPTA's plan to eliminate transfers until the 17th of August.  SEPTA didn't disclose why, but the city isn't against its decision to postpone the decision So, keep on enjoying your transfers until then.  Interestingly enough, the transfers currently in use are dated as well (what was SEPTA planning to do with these transfers if the elimination took place?)

More info here: http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=18685568&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=6

The Philadelphia School District and SEPTA got 6 million dollars from the state to provide free transportation to city students, resolving the concern with students having to pay much more for their trip to school under the proposed transfer elimination.  Apparently, Philadelphia School District was the only school district to not provide free transportation for middle and high school students, and families had to pay around 300 dollars over the school year.

Each student (living at least 1.5 miles away from their school) will receive a special free weekly school transpass, which will only be good for school days during the normal student commuting hours.

Even with the problem of school transportation solved, the lawsuit between the city and SEPTA still goes on!

Judge DiVito ruled in favor of the city, and SEPTA is required to continue to sell transfers at 60 cents a piece.  SEPTA, however, is not happy, and is going to appeal to the Commonwealth Court.

More info here: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20070816_SEPTA_paper_tranfers_will_continue.html